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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – EDDIE HARRIS, age 38, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on February 8, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Jane T. Milazzo, to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C) and to being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).

According to court documents, HARRIS admitted to possessing a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic weapon after he had been convicted of several state felony offenses, including possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and felon in possession of a firearm or weapon. HARRIS also admitted to possessing 25 baggies of cocaine with the intent to distribute them.

For the drug trafficking offense, HARRIS faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release.  For the firearms offense, HARRIS faces a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.  For each count, HARRIS must pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 at sentencing.

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.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crimes Unit.