NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on November 7, 2024, DERRICK THERIOT ("D. THERIOT"), age 29, of New Orleans, pled guilty to Counts 5 through 8 of the superseding indictment pending against him. Count 5 charged D. THERIOT with possession, with intent to distribute, fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and (b)(1)(D). Count 6 charged D. THERIOT 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). Count 7 charged D. THERIOT with possession of a machinegun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2). Finally, Count 8 charged D. THERIOT 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).

As to Count 5, the maximum penalty is 20 years of imprisonment, and/or up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least 3 years of supervised release.

As to Count 6, the minimum penalty is 5 years, up to a life sentence, to run consecutively to any other sentence, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release.

As to Count 7, the maximum penalty is 10 years of imprisonment, and/or up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.

As to Count 8, the maximum penalty is 15 years of imprisonment, and/or up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. Each count carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

According to court records, on May 12, 2023, two victims were shot and killed after leaving a bar on N. Claiborne Avenue. A co-defendant was identified as a possible suspect in that double homicide. During the investigation of the co-defendant, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agents, assisting New Orleans Police Department detectives, saw suspected stolen vehicles at two residences, and linked one of them to the co-defendant and D. THERIOT.

On November 27, 2023, law enforcement obtained search warrants for both residences. D. THERIOT admitted possessing the fentanyl for future drug sales. Additionally, D. THERIOT admitted possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, because those weapons were kept to protect his drugs. Additionally, D. THERIOT knew that the Glock Model 27, 40 caliber pistol contained a Glock auto-sear and, if the trigger was pulled, it would expel more than one bullet without having to reset the trigger.

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 track 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.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Orleans Police Department. United States Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit handled the prosecution.