Nola Reporter

Donald Myles, also known as "D-Ray," a 46-year-old resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on June 26, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon. Myles had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and a quantity of cocaine. This is in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

Myles received a sentence of 70 months imprisonment, four years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Court documents indicate that the Federal Bureau Investigation New Orleans Gang Task Force and the New Orleans Police Department investigated Myles for his involvement in a drug distribution operation starting in September 2020. The investigation included numerous controlled purchases of heroin and cocaine from Myles. It was revealed that Myles conspired with John Crawford, Kevin Johnson, Christopher Johnson, and others to distribute these drugs.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that unites various levels of law enforcement with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on principles such as fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations that prevent violence before it occurs, setting focused enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - New Orleans Gang Task Force with assistance from the New Orleans Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne from the Narcotics Unit handled the prosecution.