New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violating Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts

NEW ORLEANS - TYRONE SMOTHERS, age 42, of New Orleans, was sentenced on April 25, 2024 to 102 months imprisonment, followed by three (3) years of supervised release, and a $300 mandatory special assessment fee, by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon, after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and 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, SMOTHERSwas previously convicted of felony offenses in Orleans Parish. Due to his criminal history, he was prohibited from having a firearm. In the indictment against him, SMOTHERSwas charged with illegally possessing multiple firearms, possessing fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana with the intent to distribute and, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug distribution.

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.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Ollinger of the Violent Crime Unit.