Terrebonne Parish Man Indicted for Over a Kilo of Fentanyl and Multiple Firearms

Published 6:38 am Friday, February 18, 2022

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JON VERDIN, age 25, of Terrebonne Parish, La., was charged February 11, 2022, in a three (3) count indictment by a federal grand jury with narcotics and firearms charges for possessing over a kilogram of fentanyl and four firearms.  Specifically, the federal grand jury charged VERDIN with possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A)(vi), as well as Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(i), 922(g)(1), and 924(e)(2), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

If convicted of the narcotics trafficking charges, VERDIN faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years and up to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, and at least five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. VERDIN also faces an additional, consecutive sixty (60) month term of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to five (5) years of supervised release, if convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Finally, if VERDIN is found to be an Armed Career Criminal due to his criminal history, for his felon in possession of firearms charge, he faces a minimum of fifteen (15) years and up to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to five (5) years of supervised release.  For each offense, VERDIN faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.