Nola Reporter

Today, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Derrick Washington, also known as "Eyes," age 53, from New Orleans, pled guilty on October 9, 2024. He appeared before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five hundred grams or more of cocaine.

Court documents revealed that Washington and his co-conspirators distributed multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine in the Eastern District of Louisiana. The investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration resulted in the seizure of over forty kilograms of cocaine, twelve kilograms of fentanyl, 4.5 kilograms of heroin, and more than $1,200,000 in U.S. currency and other property.

Washington faces a mandatory minimum prison term of five years up to a maximum term of forty years. He could also be fined up to $5 million and is subject to at least four years of supervised release following any imprisonment term, along with a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level drug traffickers and criminal organizations threatening the United States. The investigation involved multiple agencies including the DEA's New Orleans Field Division Office, FBI, United States Border Patrol, Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, Kenner Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. John’s Parish Sheriff’s Office, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, and New Orleans Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman from the Narcotics Unit is handling the prosecution.