Terence Wilson, 43, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison following his conviction on drug distribution and firearm possession charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced. The New Orleans man was found guilty of handling large amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl and for being a felon in possession of firearms, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Wilson's sentencing on March 12 also includes a subsequent five-year term of supervised release.
Wilson was embroiled in a drug operation that persisted from August to October 2022, conducting near-daily transactions in the Hollygrove area of New Orleans with his co-defendant. A September 2022 law enforcement investigation pinpointed a stash house on the 3500 block of Encampment Street, frequented by Wilson, his compatriot, and both had key access. A search warrant executed on October 12 led to the seizure of more than a half-kilogram of heroin and fentanyl, over 120 grams of pure fentanyl, and 363 grams of methamphetamine, along with two multicaliber pistols, indicating a significant drug distribution network, as per a report by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The clampdown on Wilson's operations is part of the broader Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative, which aims to disrupt and dismantle high-level drug trafficking and criminal organizations across the United States. This multi-agency strategy combines federal, state, local law enforcement agency strengths to combat networks that threaten public safety and security.
Additionally, this case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. PSN promotes collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities to enhance public safety. On May 26, 2021, the Department reinforced its violent crime reduction strategy by emphasizing trust and legitimacy within communities, supporting community-based violence prevention programs, establishing focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and systematically measuring outcomes.
The investigation into Wilson's illegal activities was a collaborative effort involving several law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration - New Orleans Division, the DEA and FBI Special Response Teams, and various state and municipal police departments. Assistant United States Attorneys Rachal Cassagne and André Jones led the successful prosecution.
