A 19-year-old New Orleans man, identified as Eric Falkins, is facing federal charges including drug distribution and firearm offenses as announced by United States Attorney Duane A. Evans last Thursday.
The indictment charges Falkins with three counts: conspiracy to distribute and possess marijuana with intent to distribute, actual possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense; these charges pose significant penalties including prison time and fines, with Falkins facing up to five years in prison for the drug-related counts and a mandatory minimum of five years for the firearm offense that must run consecutively to any other sentence, as well as potential fines up to $250,000 for each count, as detailed in a Department of Justice statement.
Documents from the court reveal that the accused was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy and on January 24, was found in possession of marijuana intended for distribution, along with a Radical Firearms Model RF-15 semi-automatic pistol in connection to his drug activities, according to a Department of Justice report.
This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aiming to reduce violent crime, enhance community safety, and strategically enforce laws with support from various levels of law enforcement, and community organizations all with a focus on establishing trust within communities helping prevent violence before it starts and setting targeted enforcement priorities, all while keeping track of the outcomes.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has conducted the investigation leading to these charges and Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is assigned to the prosecution. U.S. Attorney Evans has stated that an indictment merely serves as a formal charge and the defendant's guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
