A New Orleans man has been charged with federal drug and weapons offenses, as announced by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. In a recent indictment revealed on October 10, Brandon Alexander, aged 37, faces multiple counts including possession with intent to distribute drugs and firearm offenses under the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts, according to U.S. Attorney's Office.
Specifically, Alexander is accused of possessing heroin and Buprenorphine, commonly known by its brand name Suboxone, with the intent to distribute, according to U.S. Attorney's Office. Furthermore, he is charged with possessing a semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of this drug trafficking crime, despite having a felony conviction which prohibits him from firearm possession. The indictment also states that Alexander is facing charges for receiving a firearm while under felony information for aggregated assault with a firearm.
The counts against Alexander carry severe penalties, with the first count alone potentially resulting in a 20-year prison sentence and a $1,000,000 fine. The second count entails a mandatory minimum of five years up to a life sentence, which must run consecutively to other sentences, as well as a possible $250,000 fine. Further charges include a maximum of 15 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and up to five years in prison for receipt of a firearm while under felony information. Each count also includes a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. These allegations stem from an August 30 incident when Alexander was found in possession of the drugs and a Glock Model 20, ten-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
U.S. Attorney Evans emphasized that the indictment is simply a formal accusation, noting that "the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt," as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence and fostering safer communities. The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Louisiana State Police, with Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit leading the prosecution.
