NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that KENDALL CELESTINE, age 21, of New Orleans, has pleaded guilty to federal firearms and narcotics violations.
According to court documents, CELESTINE, conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one hundred grams or more of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(b)(1)(B) and 846. On Jan. 24, 2018, CELESTINE possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A), 924(c)(1)(A)(ii)
The Court set sentencing in this matter for Jan. 10, 2019. CELESTINE faces, as to count one of the indictment, a minimum of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum of 40 years imprisonment, a fine of $5,000,000, at least four years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment. As to count sixteen, CELESTINE faces a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of life imprisonment to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of $250,000, up to five years of supervised release after imprisonment, 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 New Orleans Police Department Multi-Agency Gang Unit, and the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria M. Carboni and Matthew R. Payne.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
