Raceland Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DAMER SMITH, age 46, of Raceland, Louisiana, pled guilty on April 4, 2023 to Count Three (3) of the indictment, charging him with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i). In exchange, the government dismissed Counts 1 and 2, that charged him with Possession of a Firearm After a Domestic Violence Conviction, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(9) and 924(a)(2), and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), respectively.
In pleading guilty to Count Three, the defendant faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life imprisonment, a term of supervised release of up to five (5) years, and a fine of up to $250,000. A mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00 also applies. United States District Court Judge Greg G. Guidry set the sentencing hearing in this matter for July 1, 2023.
According to court documents, on or about November 17, 2018, deputies with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to SMITH’s residence after he threatened to kill his minor children. Upon the arrival of deputies, SMITH opened the door of his residence and fired a shot into the yard. Subsequently, SMITH surrendered, and deputies escorted the children from the residence. Deputies executed search warrants on the residence and located three firearms, ammunition, and approximately 3,898 grams of prepackaged marijuana.
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 praised the work of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office in this investigation. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit.
