New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Offense

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that SOLOMON BURKE, age 36, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty on February 1, 2023 before U.S. District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to a violation of the Federal Controlled Substances Act.

Specifically, SOLOMON BURKE pled guilty to count one of a superseding bill of information, charging him with possession with the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin and marijuana, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), (b)(1)(D), and 18 U.S.C. § 2.

As to count one, BURKE faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and at least three years supervised release, as to the heroin, and a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, and at least two years supervised release, as to the marijuana.  BURKE also faces a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. BURKE’S sentencing is scheduled for April 25, 2023.

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Unit Chief Elizabeth Privitera of the Violent Crime/Gang Unit and Assistant Unit States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu Jr. of the Narcotics Unit.

*   *   *