New Orleans Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Distribute Heroin

Published 6:55 am Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on May 19, 2022 Judge Susie Morgan sentenced ARTHUR JOHNSON, age 45, of New Orleans, Louisiana, to 262 months of imprisonment, five (5) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for conspiring to distribute more than one kilogram or more of a mixture or substance containing heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846.

According to court records, on December 27, 2017, FBI Special Agents from the New Orleans Gang Task Force received information regarding the pending delivery of approximately three kilograms of heroin that JOHNSON was purchasing from his Chicago-based supplier. Later that day, surveillance agents observed meetings between JOHNSON and the man delivering the heroin at a Holiday Inn Hotel in New Orleans. During these meetings, JOHNSON paid approximately $187,000 for the heroin.

The next day, FBI agents searched the home in New Orleans East that JOHNSON shared with co-defendant Annice Falkins. During this search, the agents seized 1.3 kilograms of heroin, over $11,000 in cash, numerous items of jewelry, six cell phones, a money counter, and a kilogram press used to package heroin.

JOHNSON and Annice Falkins pled guilty on August 24, 2021. Pursuant to his plea agreement, JOHNSON agreed to forfeit a Mercedes Benz car, $11,543.00 in United States currency, a Rolex watch with about 17.45 carats of diamonds, and five pieces of diamond encrusted jewelry. Falkins is scheduled to be sentenced on July 2, 2022.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the FBI in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys David Howard Sinkman and Brandon Long are in charge of the prosecution.