DONELL BARTHELEMY, age 22, and MICHAEL BROOKS, age 30, were charged in an eight-count federal indictment unsealed on Feb. 6 with violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and Federal Controlled Substances Act, U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle announced on Mar. 12.
The charges against Barthelemy and Brooks include conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Brooks faces an additional charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Barthelemy is also charged with possessing a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a machinegun.
According to the indictment, both men allegedly possessed marijuana and tapentadol with intent to distribute on Aug. 13, 2025, while also possessing firearms related to the alleged drug trafficking crime. One firearm was identified as a Glock handgun equipped with a machinegun conversion device.
Barthelemy has a prior felony conviction for negligent homicide in Orleans Parish. Brooks has previous felony convictions for first degree robbery, aggravated battery, and unauthorized use of a movable in Orleans Parish.
If convicted on the drug-trafficking counts, both face up to 20 years in prison per count along with fines up to $1 million and at least three years supervised release. The firearms conspiracy charge carries up to 20 years imprisonment; being a felon in possession could result in up to 15 years per count plus fines up to $250,000 each. For possession of a firearm during drug trafficking, Brooks faces five years minimum up to life imprisonment; Barthelemy faces at least thirty years for possession of a machinegun during drug trafficking plus additional penalties for other weapons charges.
U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle said: “the indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” The case is part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration and violent crime through coordinated efforts from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The investigation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation and New Orleans Police Department.
