Lovon White, a 22-year-old resident of New Orleans, has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to drug distribution and firearm offenses. The plea was entered on March 12, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk. White admitted to possession with intent to distribute tapentadol and marijuana, violating Title 21 of the United States Code. He also confessed to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a machinegun, both violations under Title 18.
Court documents reveal that White utilized social media platforms for selling drugs and machinegun conversion devices, which transform semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic firearms. In June 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at his residence, uncovering an Anderson Manufacturing Model AM-15 pistol and a Glock Model 21 equipped with conversion devices. They also seized tapentadol, marijuana intended for sale, drug trafficking supplies, and cash from drug sales.
As part of the plea agreement, White will serve ten years in prison and face supervised release ranging from three years to life. Each charge carries potential fines up to $250,000 along with a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department's violent crime reduction strategy launched on May 26, 2021, aims to foster community trust, support violence prevention organizations, set strategic enforcement priorities, and measure outcomes.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman from the Violent Crime Unit.