Multiple Orleans Parish Residents Indicted for Violating the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on June 27, 2024 a ten-count indictment charging the following Orleans Parish residents:

• WILBERT SMITH, (“SMITH”), age 44
• DAVID KELLUP, (“D. KELLUP”), age 44
• IVAN KELLUP, (“I. KELLUP”), age 41
• VINCENT HENDERSON, (“HENDERSON”), age 50
• ELI MATHINS, (“MATHINS”), age 36
• DEONTAE DORSEY, (“DORSEY”), age 43
• RONALD KELLUP, (“R. KELLUP”), age 76

SMITH, D. KELLUP, I. KELLUP, HENDERSON, MATHINS, and DORSEY were indicted in Count 1 of the indictment, charging them with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), 841(b)(1)(B), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846.  If convicted of Count 1, they face a minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and at least 5 years of supervised release following imprisonment.

SMITH and D. KELLUP were indicted in Count 2 of the indictment, charging them with Possession with intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine and heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and § 841(b)(1)(C).  If convicted of Count 2, they face a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment.

HENDERSON was indicted in Count 3 of the indictment, charging him with Possession with Intent to Distribute a quantity of fentanyl and cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).  If convicted of Count 3, HENDERSON faces up to twenty years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment.

HENDERSON was also indicted in Count 4 along with SMITH, D. KELLUP, I. KELLUP, MATHINS, and DORSEY for possessing firearms in furtherance of these drug trafficking crimes, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1).  A conviction on Count 4 carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release following imprisonment.  Any sentence on Count 4 must run consecutive to any other sentence.

D. KELLUP, SMITH, and MATHINS were also indicted in Counts 5, 6, and 7, respectively, for possessing firearms as convicted felons, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). They face up to 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment.  All eight individuals were indicted in Count 8 for maintaining a drug-involved premises, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 856(a) and 18 U.S.C. § 2.  Count 8 carries up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $500,000 fine, and at least 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment.  All eight counts also carry a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to the indictment, beginning on a time unknown but continuing until at least May 8, 2024, these seven individuals maintained three residences in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans for the purpose of packaging and distributing narcotics, including fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin.  Several of the individuals furthered their drug trafficking conspiracy by possessing firearms, which they are prohibited from doing under federal law and also due to their prior felony convictions.

United States Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of a defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

United States Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Louisiana State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the New Orleans Police Department.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.