Five men from New Orleans were indicted on Feb. 26 in a 15-count indictment for alleged violations of federal drug and gun laws as well as bank fraud, according to an April 22 announcement by U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. The indictment was unsealed on April 17.
The case involves serious allegations of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, maintaining a drug premises, and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana enforces federal laws and prosecutes criminal cases according to the official website.
According to the indictment, Emon Cheneau (also known as "Smiley"), Devin Brown ("YD" or "YDtheillest"), Kenan Breaud ("Tank"), Kelan Gennings, and Krishawn Simms are charged with conspiring since at least 2024 to distribute marijuana and possess firearms in support of that activity. Between July and September 2025, they allegedly maintained a drug premises in the Lower Ninth Ward where all five reportedly possessed firearms related to their activities.
Additional details allege that Brown and Cheneau possessed Anderson Manufacturing Model AM-15 pistols while Gennings had a Romarm/Cugir Model Micro Draco pistol after previous felony convictions. The indictment also outlines an alleged scheme involving stolen checks altered for fraudulent deposits; Gennings is accused of depositing four such checks in April 2025 including one worth $150,000.
If convicted on various counts—ranging from distribution conspiracies to felon-in-possession charges—the defendants face potential sentences spanning five years up to life imprisonment along with substantial fines and mandatory special assessments per count. As chief federal law enforcement officer for Southeast Louisiana according to the official website, Courcelle said: "The indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt." The office enhances community safety through law enforcement efforts according to its official website.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime using resources like Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Louisiana State Police, and New Orleans Police Department.
The U.S. Attorney's Office operates under appointment by the President with Senate approval according to its official website. It covers Southeast Louisiana where it enforces federal laws designed to protect residents through both criminal prosecutions and civil matters—including debt collection—for the federal government as described by its official site.
