Anthony Windell Brown, 30, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on July 31, 2025, to federal charges involving fentanyl distribution, firearm possession in connection with drug trafficking, and money laundering. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Brown admitted guilt to four counts from his indictment. These include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; and money laundering.
According to court records, Brown conspired with others to distribute fentanyl in the Eastern District of Louisiana from before March 2022 through May 29, 2024. In August and October 2023, he attempted to possess more than 400 grams of fentanyl for distribution. On May 29, 2024, he possessed a mixture containing fentanyl along with three firearms: a stolen Glock Model 27 .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Raven Arms .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and an FN Five-Seven 5.7×28 millimeter semi-automatic pistol. Authorities also found that Brown used a residence on Desire Street in New Orleans for distributing fentanyl and engaged in financial transactions using proceeds from illegal activities.
For the conspiracy charge (Count 1), Brown faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment and fines up to $10 million. For possession with intent to distribute (Count 4), he could receive up to twenty years in prison and fines up to $1 million. The firearm charge (Count 6) carries a mandatory minimum of five years up to life imprisonment and fines up to $250,000. The money laundering charge (Count 8) is punishable by up to twenty years imprisonment and fines up to $500,000. Each count also requires payment of a $100 special assessment fee.
“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.”
The investigation was conducted 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 is prosecuting the case.
