NEW ORLEANS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL GUN AND DRUG VIOLATIONS
TROY WATTS, a/k/a T-Dub, a/k/a T-Dove, age 35, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty yesterday in federal court before U. S. District Judge Helen G. Berrigan to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, in March 2009, WATTS was being investigated by the DEA for dealing heroin out of the B.W. Cooper public housing development. During the execution of a search warrant on a house in the 4400 block of Wilson Street that WATTS used to stash drugs, law enforcement discovered 369.9 net grams of heroin, drug trafficking paraphernalia, and a Remington 7 mm rifle with scope. On September 18, 2009, WATTS and his co-defendant, April Hamilton, age 34, also a resident of New Orleans, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Additionally, WATTS was individually charged with four counts of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and/or marijuana, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. On August 18, 2010, Hamilton pled guilty to the conspiracy charge. In documents associated with his plea, WATTS admitted that he possessed the firearm illegally as he had been previously convicted of a felony.
WATTS is scheduled for sentencing on January 5, 2011 and, pursuant to the plea agreement, faces eight (8) years (96 months) in prison. Hamilton is scheduled for sentencing on November 24, 2009.
The case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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