Four New Orleans Men Plead Guilty to Violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act

NEW ORLEANS—MACK BAKER, age 23; MARVIN WILLIAMS, age 22; RICHARD SIMS, age 30; and TYRONE DUNCAN, age 21, all residents of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today before the U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance. BAKER, WILLIAMS and SIMS pled guilty to count one of a federal superseding indictment and a bill of information establishing that defendants have a prior felony drug conviction. DUNCAN pled guilty to count one of a federal superseding indictment.

Count one charged BAKER, WILLIAMS, and SIMS with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin. As to count one, BAKER, WILLIAMS and SIMS face a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years and/or a maximum fine of $2,000,000. Following imprisonment, BAKER, WILLIAMS, and SIMS will be placed on a term of supervised release for a period of at least six years. BAKER, WILLIAMS, and SIMS will also be required to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

Count one charged DUNCAN with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, with an agreed upon range of 40 to 60 grams. As to count one, DUNCAN faces a maximum term of 20 years’ imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $1,000,000. Following imprisonment, DUNCAN will be placed on a term of supervised release for a period of at least three years. DUNCAN will also be required to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 27, 2012.

This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Privitera.