Three New Orleans Men Indicted For Federal Drug and Weapons Offenses

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RYAN JOHNSON (“JOHNSON”), age 21, BRYAN SPEARS (“SPEARS”), age 19, and BRYAN TURNER (“TURNER”), age 19, of New Orleans, were indicted  on July 26, 2024 for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts.  The indictment was unsealed on August 7, 2024.

JOHNSON and TURNER are each charged in Count 1 with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), (b)(1)(D), (b)(2), and 846, and in Count 2 with conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o).  JOHNSON and SPEARS are charged in Count 3, and JOHNSON and TURNER are charged in Count 6, with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), (b)(1)(D), and (b)(2).  JOHNSON and SPEARS are charged in Count 4, and JOHNSON and TURNER are charged in Count 7, with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).  SPEARS is additionally charged in Count 5 with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).

Each of the drug trafficking charges in Counts 1, 3, and 6 carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release.  Count 2, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.  Counts 4 and 7, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, both carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release.  Count 5, felon in possession of a firearm, carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.  Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

According to the indictment, JOHNSON and TURNER conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute tapentadol, marijuana, and tramadol, and to possess firearms to further their drug trafficking conspiracy.  On or about September 1, 2023, JOHNSON and SPEARS possessed tapentadol and marijuana with the intent to distribute those drugs, and possessed both a Glock Model 23, .40 caliber and a Glock Model 17, nine-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of that crime. SPEARS is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of prior felony convictions for simple robbery, possession with intent to distribute amphetamine, and illegal carrying of a weapon.

On March 28, 2024, JOHNSON and TURNER possessed tapentadol, marijuana, and tramadol with the intent to distribute those drugs, and possessed both a Smith & Wesson Model M&P 15, 5.56 x 45-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Glock Model 27, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Glock Model 48, 9-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of that crime.

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

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 and the New Orleans Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.