Kenner Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Weapons Violations

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA -ALTON GRAYSON, age 37, a resident of Kenner, La., pleaded guilty on April 18, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B) 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, in January of 2023, GRAYSON was pulled over by a Kenner Police Department officer for traffic violations. Inside GRAYSON's car were large bags of multicolored pills containing methamphetamine that GRAYSON intended to sell. GRAYSON also possessed a stolen Kimber Model Ultra TLE II, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. GRAYSON is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of prior felony convictions, including a conviction for possession with intent to distribute heroin.

As to his drug trafficking conviction, GRAYSON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release. As to his firearm conviction, GRAYSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Kenner Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.