Federal Grand Jury Indicts New Orleans Men for Federal Gun and Drug Offenses
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On Friday June 9, 2023, DANIEEL MUTIN, age 18, and JUAN MATTHEWS, age 21, both residents of New Orleans, Louisiana, were charged in a five-count indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
In Count 1, MUTIN is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). If convicted of Count 1, MUTIN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. In Count 2, MUTIN is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A). If convicted of Count 2, MUTIN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life imprisonment, to run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release.
In Count 3, MATTHEWS is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and tapentadol, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and (b)(1)(D). If convicted of Count 3, MATTHEWS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. In Count 4, MATTHEWS is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A). If convicted of Count 4, MATTHEWS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life imprisonment, to run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. In Count 5, MATTHEWS is charged with possession of a machinegun in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(o) and 924(a)(2). If convicted of Count 5, MATTHEWS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. As to each count, MATTHEWS faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
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.
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.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
