New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl and Illegally Possessing Firearm

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – KENTRELL HUBBARD, age 25, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on April 9, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to distribution of fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C) and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).

According to court documents, in June of 2023, HUBBARD sold fentanyl to a confidential informant for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  One week later, special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation observed HUBBARD in possession of a Ruger Model Ruger-57, 5.7 x 28 mm caliber semi-automatic pistol.  HUBBARD is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a prior federal felony conviction for conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles across state lines and a Louisiana conviction for simple burglary.

With respect to his conviction for distribution of fentanyl, HUBBARD faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a minimum of three years of supervised release.  With respect to his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, HUBBARD faces up to 15 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.  Each count also carries a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

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

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.