Jonas Richard, a 43-year-old man from New Orleans, pled guilty to federal drug charges for distributing fentanyl, as announced by United States Attorney Duane A. Evans. Richard’s plea, made on January 16, is related to three counts from a superseding indictment.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office release, each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a minimum of three years of supervised release. Richard is also required to pay a $100 special assessment fee for each count. Sentencing is scheduled for April 24.
Richard's illegal activities came to light during an undercover operation called Big Easy, which began on August 24, 2023. Undercover agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were approached by Richard in the French Quarter. This led to the sale of fentanyl, followed by two more sales on August 28 and September 15, 2023, involving larger amounts of the drug.
Richard’s conviction is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing criminal activities, particularly violent and gun-related crimes. PSN is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and community organizations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Dawkins is handling the prosecution, with the case being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the ATF.
