A New Orleans resident has admitted guilt to multiple federal drug charges, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Alton Tumblin, 44, entered a guilty plea on August 20, 2025, to four counts outlined in the indictment against him. Counts 1, 3, and 4 involve distribution of at least fifty grams of methamphetamine, while Count 2 concerns the distribution of fentanyl. Both substances are classified as Schedule II controlled substances under federal law.
The methamphetamine-related counts carry a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could result in up to life imprisonment, fines up to $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release. The fentanyl count carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison, a fine up to $1 million, and up to three years of supervised release.
Court records show that Tumblin distributed more than fifty grams of methamphetamine on three occasions—August 7, August 9, and August 16 in 2023—to individuals he believed were buyers. On August 7, he also sold fentanyl to an undercover agent.
"This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results."
The prosecution is also connected with Operation Big Easy—a National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) initiative analyzing firearm casings collected between August 1, 2023 and January 31, 2023. This operation identified areas with high rates of shootings and homicides linked to criminal activity across seven sections of New Orleans.
"Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police. This case is being prosecuted by Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit."
