Kenneth Turner, a 37-year-old resident of New Orleans, was sentenced to 130 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk on February 5, 2025. This sentencing follows Turner's guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. These actions are in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B). In addition to the prison term, Turner will serve four years of supervised release and must pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Court documents reveal that Turner's co-defendant made five distributions of fentanyl and methamphetamine to undercover agents and a confidential informant working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Turner played a role in supplying drugs to his co-defendant and assisted with their storage, weighing, and packaging for distribution. The conspiracy involved more than 420 grams of fentanyl and over 370 grams of methamphetamine. At the time of his arrest, Turner had more than $15,000 in cash on him.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy to strengthen PSN by fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman from the Violent Crime Unit led the prosecution.