Bogalusa Man Sentenced on Federal Firearms and Drug Trafficking Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –ROMERO MORRIS (“MORRIS”), age 34, a resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, pled guilty on April 4, 2024, to Counts 4, 5, 9, 10, and 11 of the indictment pending against him announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

Count 4 charged MORRIS with possession, with the intent to distribute, cocaine and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(b)(1)(C) and (b)(1)(D).  Count 5 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).  Count 9 charged him with possession, with the intent to distribute, approximately 40 grams or more of fentanyl and, a quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(b)(1)(B) and (C).  Count 10 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).  Finally, Count 11 charged him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). 

On August 6, 2024, United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry sentenced MORRIS to a total of 160 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release and a $500.00 mandatory special assessment fee.  This sentence included a term of 100 months as to Counts 4, 5, 9, and 10 and 60 consecutive months as to Count 11.

During this investigation, MORRIS was identified as a large-scale distributor of fentanyl, heroin, and marijuana during 2022 and 2023.  Law enforcement authorities also conducted search warrants at his residence and located drugs and firearms on several occasions.

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.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole, and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Department.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr of the Narcotics Unit.