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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced on June 21, 2021, that Taurus Russell, a/k/a “Scrappy,” age 44, a resident of New Orleans, plead guilty to a three-count Superseding Bill of Information.  In Count 1, Russell is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine hydrochloride in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), and 846.  In Counts 2 and 3, Russell is charged with use of communication facilities to further a drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b).

According to court documents, Russell conspired with other members of a drug trafficking organization to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine base.  Additionally, Russell used a communication facility, the telephone, to facilitate the distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

United States District Court Judge Susie Morgan will sentence Russell on October 13, 2021. For Count 1, Russell faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years, with a possible maximum sentence of 40 years, a fine of up to $5,000,000, a period of supervised release of at least 4 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  For Counts 2 and 3, Russell faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 4 years, a fine of up to $250,000, a period of supervised release of up to 1 year, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.  This case is being prosecuted by Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime/Strike Force Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.