NEW ORLEANS — 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 – ALTON TUMBLIN (“TUMBLIN”), age 44, of New Orleans, pled guilty on August 20, 2025, to violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Specifically, TUMBLIN pled guilty to Counts 1 through 4 of the indictment pending against him. Counts 1, 3, and 4 each charge TUMBLIN with distributing fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A). Count 2 charges TUMBLIN with distributing a quantity of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).
As to Counts 1, 3, and 4, TUMBLIN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least 5 years of supervised release. As to Count 2, TUMBLIN faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on three separate occasions, including August 7, 2023, August 9, 2023, and August 16, 2023, TUMBLIN distributed over 50 grams of methamphetamine during controlled purchases to individuals TUMBLIN thought were individual buyers. Also, on August 7, 2023, TUMBLIN distributed a quantity of fentanyl to an undercover agent.
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.
This case was part of Operation Big Easy Operation Big Easy was a National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) enforcement initiative of collected firearm casings for the time period of August 1, 2023, to January 31, 2023, that produced data points of high-density shootings and homicides in seven areas of New Orleans related to individuals engaged in criminal activity.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police. This case is being prosecuted by Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit.
