Quindelle Addison, a 48-year-old resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on March 26, 2025, for violations of both the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act. The sentence was issued by United States District Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Court records reveal that on August 29, 2023, Addison conspired with four others to sell methamphetamine to an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and another individual in a Westbank apartment in New Orleans. Addison successfully sold about seven grams of pure methamphetamine to the undercover ATF agent as part of this transaction.
Following the methamphetamine sale, a co-defendant arranged for another meeting at the apartment on the following day for further drug purchases. However, when the undercover ATF agent and the individual returned, they were met with a robbery at gunpoint. Once other agents responded to the incident, the robbers ceased their actions, allowing everyone to attempt escaping from the apartment. The undercover ATF agent and the individual tried to flee by climbing down from the third-floor balcony, resulting in the agent sustaining severe injuries from a fall.
Due to these incidents, Addison and five co-defendants faced an indictment comprising eleven charges related to drug trafficking and armed robbery. They all eventually pled guilty. Specifically, Addison admitted guilt in matters involving conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a firearm in pursuit of drug trafficking, and maintaining a drug-involved property. Addison was the last of the defendants to receive a sentence.
Judge Lemelle sentenced Addison to 118 months in prison, along with a four-year supervised release term and a mandatory special assessment fee of $500.
This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, which brings together various levels of law enforcement and the community to tackle violent crime and gun-related violence, aiming to create safer neighborhoods. Originally launched on May 26, 2021, the Department's strategy emphasizes core principles such as building community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the outcomes.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives led the investigation, with the support of the Louisiana State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, and Crimestoppers GNO. Assistant United States Attorneys David Haller and Nolan Paige are prosecuting the case.
