Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MELCOLM DOLLIOLE (“DOLLIOLE”), age 39, of New Orleans, Louisiana was charged on January 3, 2025, by a federal grand jury in an eight-count superseding indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. Count 1 charged him with distribution of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). Count 2 charged him with distribution of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. Count 6 charged him with possession with the intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(2). Count 7 charged him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). Finally, Count 8 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
According to the superseding indictment, on November 18, 2024, New Orleans police officers and federal agents arrested DOLLIOLE for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act while he was in possession of firearms. Further investigation determined that DOLLIOLE was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his prior felony conviction(s).
If convicted, DOLLIOLE faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least 3 years of supervised release for Counts 1, 2, and 6; a mandatory minimum of 5 years up to life of imprisonment to run consecutive to Count 6, up to a $250,000 fine, and at least 5 years of supervised release for Count 7; and up to 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release for Count 8. DOLLIOLE also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee as to all five counts.
United States Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
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, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New Orleans Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy L. Bell of the Violent Crimes Unit.
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