U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans | U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Darnell Doucet, 26, was charged on December 5, 2024, in a four-count indictment for federal drug and weapons offenses. The charges include violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts.
Doucet faces multiple charges: conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute tapentadol; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, tapentadol, and marijuana; possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Court documents state that on September 24, 2024, Doucet possessed cocaine, tapentadol, and marijuana with intent to distribute them. He also allegedly possessed four firearms related to the drug-trafficking crime: a Zastava Model ZPAP92 semi-automatic pistol, a Palmetto State Armory Model PA-15 semi-automatic pistol, a Glock Model 27 semi-automatic pistol, and a Glock Model 48 semi-automatic pistol.
For each drug trafficking charge in Counts 1 and 2, Doucet could face up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1 million fine, and at least three years of supervised release. For Count 3's firearm possession charge related to drug trafficking, he faces five years to life imprisonment consecutively with other sentences. This count also carries up to a $250,000 fine and up to five years of supervised release. For Count 4's charge as a felon in possession of a firearm, he could receive up to 15 years in prison along with fines and supervised release terms similar to other counts. Each count includes a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
U.S. Attorney Evans emphasized that the indictment is merely an accusation requiring proof beyond reasonable doubt for conviction.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman from the Violent Crime Unit is leading the prosecution.