Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW ORLEANS – ANTHONY WINDELL BROWN (“BROWN”), age 30, of New Orleans, pled guilty on July 31, 2025 to violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, the Federal Gun Control Act, and Money Laundering, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Specifically, BROWN pled guilty to Counts 1, 4, 6, and 8 of the indictment pending against him. Count 1 charged BROWN with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846. Count 4 charged BROWN with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(C). Count 6 charged BROWN with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i). Count 8 charged BROWN with money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(A)(i).
As to the drug trafficking charges in Count 1, BROWN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least 5 years of supervised release. For Count 4, BROWN faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release. For Count 6, BROWN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 5 years of supervised release. For Count 8, BROWN faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $500,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release. As to each of these counts individually, BROWN also faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
According to court documents, beginning at a time unknown, but prior to March 2022 and continuing to on or about May 29, 2024, BROWN conspired with others to distribute fentanyl in the Eastern District of Louisiana. In August 2023 and October 2023, BROWN attempted to possess, with the intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl. On May 29, 2024, BROWN possessed, with the intent to distribute, a mixture containing fentanyl, a stolen Glock Model 27, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Raven Arms, .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a FN Five-Seven, 5.7×28 millimeter semi-automatic pistol. BROWN unlawfully used and maintained a residence in the of 1900 block of Desire Street in New Orleans for the purpose of distributing fentanyl. BROWN also conducted financial transactions using the proceeds of specific unlawful activities with the intent to promote the carrying on of specified unlawful activity.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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 is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General , and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit is in charge of the prosecution.