New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Cocaine Conspiracy

 NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOHNNY TRIPLETT, age 33 of New Orleans, pled guilty on August 19, 2021 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride and 100 grams of heroin.

According to court documents, TRIPLETT and others conspired to transport cocaine hydrochloride and heroin between Texas and New Orleans.

TRIPLETT faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years and a maximum term of 40 years of imprisonment.  A fine of up to $5,000,000 may also be imposed or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person.  TRIPLETT will be placed on supervised release after imprisonment for a period of not less than 4 years.  Additionally, a mandatory $100 special assessment fee will be assessed.  U.S. District Court Judge Fallon set sentencing for November 19, 2021.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera and Jonathan L. Shih are in charge of the prosecution.