New Orleans Man Sentenced for Federal Drug and Weapons Violations

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –RONALD JOHNSON (“JOHNSON”), age 27, of New Orleans, was sentenced on October 8, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to 106 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release, along with a $300 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute tapentadol and tramadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(2); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and 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).  JOHNSON is the eighth and final defendant to be sentenced in this case.

According to court documents, JOHNSON distributed tapentadol and tramadol in New Orleans in 2022 and 2023.  In May of 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant at JOHNSON’s residence.  In JOHNSON’s bedroom, FBI agents found a Century Arms Model C39, 7.62x39 millimeter semi-automatic pistol and an American Tactical MilSport Model 300BLK, multi-caliber semi-automatic pistol, both of which were loaded with high-capacity magazines.  JOHNSON has felony convictions for first degree robbery and is prohibited from possessing firearms. FBI agents also found packs of tramadol and tapentadol in JOHNSON’s residence that he intended to sell. 

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.