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NEW ORLEANS – Eric Metz, age 38, a resident of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, was charged June 24, 2021 in a three-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A), and with being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(e), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

The defendant had his initial court appearance on June 25, 2021, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, Metz faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  For possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, Metz faces  a minimum of five years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, to run consecutive with any other sentence, a fine of up to $250,000, up to  five years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Metz faces a minimum of fifteen (15) years imprisonment up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 5 years supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ben Myers.