NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that DERRICK GROVES, age 22, of New Orleans, has pleaded guilty Sept. 10, 2019 to federal firearms and narcotics violations.
According to court documents, on Oct. 12, 2018 and Jan. 25, 2019, DERRICK GROVES possessed with intent to distribute heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). DERRICK GROVES was also in possession of a firearm on those dates, in violation of Title 18, United States Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).
The Court set sentencing in this matter for Dec. 17, 2019. DERRICK GROVES faces a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, per count, a fine of up to $1 million, and at least three years of supervised release for the narcotics charges. DERRICK GROVES also faces a minimum term of 5 years up to life imprisonment, to be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed, a fine of $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release for the firearms violations.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Violent Crimes Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni is in charge of the prosecution.
* * *
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
