Nola Reporter

Dreshawn Fields, a 28-year-old resident of New Orleans, has pled guilty to a charge related to the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans on December 4, 2024.

Fields could face up to 20 years in prison, a fine reaching $1 million, at least three years of supervised release following any imprisonment term, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

The case dates back to 2023 when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began monitoring Fields' Instagram account. On October 4, 2023, Fields posted a video featuring four boxes of Tapentadol with the caption “Rush hour (train emoji),” which is often used to advertise Tapentadol for sale. Tapentadol is classified as a Schedule II narcotic.

On January 9, 2024, an officer from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) spotted a white Dodge Charger at 10833 Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans. Law enforcement confirmed that the vehicle was stolen from Kenner, Louisiana on December 8, 2023. A female witness identified Fields as the driver of the car. Subsequently, authorities obtained and executed a search warrant for the vehicle Fields fled from and confiscated several items.

A federal criminal complaint was signed against Fields on March 11, 2024, charging him with possession with intent to distribute narcotics. He was arrested near Orleans Parish Criminal District Court while exiting another vehicle. Following this arrest, law enforcement recovered methamphetamine, ammunition magazine with live rounds, scales, baggies, and five pills testing positive for fentanyl from his vehicle after executing another search warrant.

The investigation was conducted by both the New Orleans Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.