A New Orleans man has been handed down a significant prison sentence for his involvement in drug trafficking and firearms offenses. Larry Williams, 44, was sentenced to 137 months in prison after a series of charges related to federal narcotics and firearms crimes were brought against him. Williams' legal troubles escalated following a foot chase with New Orleans Police Department officers that led to his arrest and the discovery of various narcotics and a firearm, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Upon his arrest, he was found in possession of 40 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as quantities of cocaine, hydrocodone, and tapentadol. He pleaded guilty to an intent to distribute the substances, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B) and (b)(1)(C), and to possessing a firearm, in furtherance of drug trafficking, a breach of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). Williams, as a felon, was already prohibited from possessing a firearm, which further violated Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. District Judge Darrel J. Papillion's sentence was broken down into 77 months for the drug trafficking and firearm possession, followed by an additional consecutive 60 months for the firearm possession in relation to the drug trafficking offenses, Williams also faces 4 years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each of the three counts of conviction.

This case forms part of the broader Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a collaborative effort aimed at curbing violent crime and gun violence. This collaborative case involved efforts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department, with Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses leading the prosecution responsibilities.