U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans | U.S. Department of Justice
Darrion Young, a 40-year-old resident of New Orleans, has been sentenced to 207 months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges. U.S. District Judge Brandon S. Long also ordered Young to serve four years of supervised release following his incarceration and imposed a $600 mandatory special assessment fee.
Young faced six counts in the indictment. Count One involved carjacking under Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119(1). Count Two charged him with brandishing, using, and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence under Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii). Counts Three and Four were related to drug offenses under Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), including distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Count Five accused Young of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking under Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). Finally, Count Six charged him as a felon in possession of a firearm under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).
Court documents reveal that on January 13, 2022, at around 9:40 PM, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) responded to a reported carjacking near Saint Phillip Street. The victim claimed Young forcibly took her Ford Fusion at gunpoint. The vehicle was later identified as having been transported across state lines before the incident.
On January 14, FBI agents observed Young with the stolen vehicle on Touro Street. After setting up surveillance and following the vehicle to Stephen Girard Street and Montegut Drive, agents conducted a traffic stop. Inside the car were two males; Young was driving. A search revealed a Smith & Wesson handgun and various drugs including cocaine, fentanyl, and MDMA pills.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. Launched on May 26, 2021 by the Department of Justice's violent crime reduction strategy focuses on fostering trust within communities and supporting organizations that prevent violence.
The investigation was carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with NOPD officers. Assistant United States Attorneys Maurice Landrieu from the Narcotics Unit and Mike Trummel from the Violent Crimes Unit prosecuted this case.
