A New Orleans resident has been sentenced for distributing fentanyl, following an investigation by federal and local law enforcement. Rickey Smith, 46, received a sentence of 71 months in prison, four years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee after pleading guilty to distributing more than forty grams of fentanyl.
According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) acted on information from the New Orleans Police Department about drug distribution activities linked to Smith in late 2024. Investigators determined that Smith distributed over 40 grams of fentanyl from his apartment in the Eastern District of Louisiana. On three separate occasions—November 4, December 3, and December 17, 2024—Smith sold amounts of fentanyl totaling approximately 3.5 grams, nearly 14 grams, and over 56 grams respectively to an individual he believed was a legitimate buyer.
The DEA and New Orleans Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman from the Narcotics Unit prosecuted the case.
