U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that TERRANCE MORGAN, age 27, of New Orleans, has pleaded guilty to federal firearms and narcotics violations.
According to court documents, MORGAN, a convicted felon, possessed firearms on four separate occasions between 2014 and 2017, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g). On Jan. 13, 2017, MORGAN also possessed with the intent to distribute a synthetic opioid known as “U-47700," in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), and possessed three firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on the same date. MORGAN also conspired with others to possess firearms in furtherance of a conspiracy to sell heroin.
The Court set sentencing in this matter for Jan. 10, 2019. MORGAN faces, as to count two of the indictment, a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $250,000, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment. As to each of counts three through six, MORGAN faces, as to each count, a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment. As to count seven, MORGAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $1,000,000, at least 3 years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment. As to count eight, MORGAN faces a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment, up to 5 years supervised release after imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a $100 special assessment.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
U. S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria M. Carboni and Matthew R. Payne.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
