New Orleans Man Indicted for Drug and Weapons Violations

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on April 5, 2024, a federal grand jury charged TIERON PRICE, age 21, a resident of New Orleans, in a five-count superseding indictment with drug and gun violations. These violations occurred on May 22, 2023, and January 19, 2024.

In Counts 1 and 4 of the superseding indictment, PRICE is charged with possession of a machinegun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(o). If convicted, PRICE faces up to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. In Count 2, PRICE is chargedwith possession with intent to distribute Tampentadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). If convicted, PRICE faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and a period of at least three years of supervised release. In Count 3, PRICE is charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). If convicted, PRICE faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life imprisonment, to be run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to five years of supervised release. In Count 5, PRICE is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). If convicted, PRICE faces up to fifteen years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. As to each charged count, PRICE also faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

According to court records, on May 22, 2023, PRICE led the Louisiana State Police on a vehicle chase in New Orleans that ultimately resulted in a collision and his arrest. PRICE's DNA was found on a firearm taken from the vehicle. This firearm was fitted with a Glock switch, rendering it a fully automatic weapon. On January 19, 2024, the New Orleans Police Department, while conducting surveillance, spotted PRICE and several associates, inside a stolen vehicle. PRICE was eventually found inside a residence and arrested. After obtaining a search warrant for the residence, police discovered narcotics; a Glock Model 19, 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, bearing serial number BBZ5439; a Glock Model 21 Gen 4, .45 caliber pistol, bearing serial number AFUU442; a Glock Model 17, 9 mm caliber handgun, bearing serial number BRMW111; and two Glock switches.

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, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit.