NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DARIUS DANNEL, a/k/a “DD,” and TERRELL  MOORE, a/k/a “Rell,” pled guilty to various violations of the Federal Gun Control, the Federal Controlled Substances, and Hobbs Act before the Honorable Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court  documents, DANNEL and MOORE pled guilty to Counts 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the superseding indictment.  Count 1 charged them with attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1951 and 2. Count 2 charged them with participating in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute quantities of marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(D), and 846. Count 3 charged the defendants with using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c) and 2. Count 4 charged the defendants with participating in a conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o).   

As to Count 1, DANNEL and MOORE face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, and up to three years of supervised release.  As to Count 2, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and at least two years supervised release.  As to Count 3, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, and up to five years supervised release.  The prison sentence imposed for Count 3 must be served consecutively to any other prison sentence imposed in connection with this case and any other case. Finally, as to Count 4, DANNEL and MOORE face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, not more than a $250,000.00 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. As to each count, DANNEL and MOORE face payment of  a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

The sentencing for DANNEL and MOORE is scheduled for June 28, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.

The case stems from a shootout that occurred at the Jung Hotel.  On December 28, 2020, during an attempted armed robbery of significant amounts of marijuana, two groups engaged in a shootout in the Jung Hotel- one group who possessed the marijuana, the other group who tried to take the marijuana.  In total, over 80 shots were fired and three people were shot.  A good portion of this shootout was captured via the hotel security cameras.  DANNEL and MOORE admitted to their participation in attempting to rob the drug dealers, and discharging their firearms during the attempted robbery.  All six of the robber-perpetrators have pled guilty to their charged crimes before Judge Lemelle.  Two of the marijuana distributors have pled guilty to similar crimes before United States District Court Judge Greg. G. Guidry. Judge Guidry sentenced Clarence Santiago to 30-years imprisonment for his role in the crimes on March 7, 2023.  As part of the record, the Government introduced video surveillance of the event during Santiago’s sentencing hearing.    

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 Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maurice Landrieu of the Narcotics Unit and Elizabeth Privitera, Chief of the Violent Crimes Unit.