New Orleans man admitted to federal drug trafficking and Hobbs Act robbery.
On October 5, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans shared news about Trayvon Murphy’s guilty plea in New Orleans, Louisiana. Murphy confessed to violating the Federal Gun Control Act, the Federal Controlled Substances Act, and the Hobbs Act Robbery before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo.
In a superseding indictment, MURPHY has admitted guilt to several charges, including Counts 1, 2, 10, and 11. Count 1 alleges that MURPHY conspired to use, carry, possess, and display firearms during a crime of violence and drug trafficking offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o). Count 2 charges MURPHY with conspiring to distribute and possess cocaine and heroin with the intent to distribute, as stated in Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and 846. Count 10 alleges MURPHY’s involvement in a conspiracy to engage in robbery and interfere with commerce as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951. Lastly, Count 11 charges MURPHY with participating in a robbery under the Hobbs Act, as outlined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951.
MURPHY may face severe consequences for Count 1, including a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and three years of supervised release. Count 2 could result in a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, a fine of no more than $1,000,000, and a minimum of four years of supervised release. Counts 10 and 11 could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and three years of supervised release for MURPHY. Moreover, MURPHY will have to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee for each count. The court has set MURPHY’s sentencing for January 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
In 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation into a notorious organization involved in multiple acts of violence and illicit drug trade in the regions of New Orleans East and the Ninth Ward, based on official legal documents. During the inquiry, MURPHY and nine accomplices were identified as key individuals and subsequently charged by a federal grand jury in December 2021. Their charges were linked to their involvement in various plots, including the illegal possession of firearms, drug trafficking, and armed robberies targeting fellow drug dealers.
As a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), law enforcement agencies and communities collaborate to combat violent crime and gun violence. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to create safer neighborhoods for all residents. On May 26, 2021, the Department introduced an improved strategy to reduce violent crime under the PSN framework. This new strategy focuses on key principles such as building trust and credibility within communities, supporting local organizations that work towards violence prevention, establishing targeted enforcement priorities, and evaluating the outcomes.
Several law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, and the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, were involved in investigating this case. The prosecution is being managed by Assistant United States Attorneys Maurice Landrieu from the Narcotics Unit and Elizabeth Privitera, who serves as Chief of the Violent Crimes Unit.
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