New Orleans man sentenced for federal gun and drug charges

A New Orleans man, Johnnie Hagans, was sentenced on January 30, 2025, for federal gun and drug charges. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the sentencing following Hagans' guilty plea to a multi-count indictment.

Hagans faced several charges: possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. These violations are under Title 21 and Title 18 of the United States Code.

Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced Hagans to 157 months in prison. The sentences for Counts 1, 3, and 4 will run concurrently, while Count 2 will run consecutively. Additionally, Hagans will be on supervised release for three years and must pay a $400 mandatory special assessment fee.

Court documents reveal that on January 23, 2024, an officer from the New Orleans Police Department observed Hagans conducting multiple hand-to-hand drug sales at a Valero gas station. Officers identified an object in his waistband as a firearm. During his attempt to flee from law enforcement, Hagans discarded a Ruger Model LCPII pistol which officers later recovered.

Further investigation led officers to search a Nissan Rogue SUV linked to Hagans at the gas station. Inside they found another firearm and cocaine. A subsequent search of Hagans' residence uncovered additional firearms.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.

U.S. Attorney Evans commended the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell from the Violent Crime Unit prosecuted the case.