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 – On October 27, 2026, KEITH MORET (“MORET”), age 30, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty to Count 8 of the superseding indictment charging him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
For Count 8, MORET faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years and up to life imprisonment; a fine of up to $250,000, up to five (5) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Wendy B. Vitter will sentence MORET on February 2, 2027.
According to court documents, during a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives narcotics and firearms operation in Orleans Parish, agents identified MORET as a narcotics dealer. On the morning of June 30, 2025, MORET and McCall Washington fled from Louisiana State Troopers in a vehicle at a high rate of speed, disregarding stop signs. Washington eventually lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the concrete steps and porch of a residence. Washington and MORET were detained. Prior to searching the vehicle, troopers noted that the car had a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. MORET possessed a black backpack containing approximately 169.56 grams of marijuana, $11,160 in cash, several clear plastic baggies, and an unknown liquid in a prescription bottle, all of which evidenced MORET’s drug trafficking. MORET admitted to possessing the marijuana for distribution purposes, as was supported by the discovery of the quantity of marijuana, the large sum of cash, and the clear plastic baggies used for packaging.
Additionally, law enforcement located a black semi-auto F&N Model Five Seven 5.7 x 28 caliber pistol, fully loaded and with a round in the chamber, on the passenger floorboard within reach of MORET. MORET admitted to possessing this pistol to protect the marijuana and cash he possessed inside the vehicle.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy L. Bell of the Violent Crime Unit.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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