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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LANCE STEVENS, age 26, a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, was charged on September 22, 2022 in a six-count indictment for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act.

STEVENS is charged in Count 1 with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and tramadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(D), and 841(b)(1)(E).  In Count 2, STEVENS is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).  In Count 3, STEVENS is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

STEVENS is charged in Count 4 with possession with intent to distribute tapentadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).  In Count 5, STEVENS is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).  In Count 6, STEVENS is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

As to Count 1, STEVENS faces a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, at least two years of supervised release for trafficking marijuana and at least one year of supervised release for trafficking tramadol, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. As to Count 4, STEVENS faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, at least three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  As to Counts 2 and 5, STEVENS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to life imprisonment on each count, to run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  As to Counts 3 and 6, STEVENS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years as to each count, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was investigated by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys David Berman and Rachal Cassagne are in charge of the prosecution.