Nola Reporter

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Travis Jackson, age 34, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on August 6, 2024, before United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court records, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made several controlled purchases of drugs from Jackson and his co-defendant. The FBI then conducted wire intercepts of two phones belonging to the co-defendant. During the wiretaps, the FBI heard multiple calls related to drug trafficking, including calls with buyers, other larger-scale dealers, and warnings about police activity. The FBI later executed search warrants, arresting the co-defendant with a gun and fentanyl and also arresting Jackson with a gun. Jackson’s prior felony convictions prohibit him from possessing a firearm.

Judge Papillion set sentencing for November 12, 2024. On the drug conspiracy count, Jackson faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of forty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5 million and at least four years of supervised release. On the felon in possession of a firearm count, Jackson faces a maximum of fifteen years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. For each count, he also faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and make 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 communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence; setting focused enforcement priorities; and measuring results.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.