Johnnie Hagans, 31, of New Orleans, has entered a guilty plea to federal charges related to drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. Caught in the act of making drug deals at a local gas station, Hagans faces a considerable prison sentence and fines that highlight the gravity of his offenses. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the court documents indicated Hagans was surveilled by an officer from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) on January 23, engaging in multiple hand-to-hand drug sales before he attempted to flee from law enforcement, discarding a firearm in the process.
An ensuing investigation, bolstered by monitored jail phone calls, led to additional searches that uncovered more firearms at both Hagans’s vehicle and residence. The official press release by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans outlined the range of sentences Hagans is facing: up to twenty years for the drug trafficking charge, a minimum of five years to a maximum life sentence for the firearm possession during the crime, and up to fifteen years for being a convicted felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Each charge also carries the potential for substantial fines and supervised release.
The prosecution of Hagan falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration among law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations. The press release notes, “The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department,” illustrating the collaborative effort under PSN principles designed to promote community safety.
The substance of this case is gravely reminiscent of the challenging war against local drug epidemics and the often-associated violence. With sentencing scheduled for January 30, 2025. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit leads the charge on the prosecution.
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