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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TOWNSEND GRANT, age 19, was charged today in a three-count indictment by a federal grand jury for possession of a machinegun, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U. S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

If convicted of possessing a machinegun, GRANT faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

If convicted of possessing with the intent to distribute heroin, GRANT faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

If convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, GRANT faces a minimum sentence of thirty (30) years of imprisonment, a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, to be run consecutive to all other counts, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to five (5) years supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Additionally, as to each count of the indictment, GRANT faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee .

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.

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

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Trummel.