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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that defendant KIRK THOMPSON, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Lance M. Africk to possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

THOMPSON pled guilty to Count One, which charges him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).  THOMPSON also pled guilty to Count Two, which charges him with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, that is, possession with intent to distribute both fentanyl and cocaine, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section, 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

As to Count One, THOMPSON faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. As to Count Two, THOMPSON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  THOMPSON’S sentencing is scheduled for February 16, 2022.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and  partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. The case  is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit         of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.