A New Orleans man has pleaded guilty to federal drug and gun charges following an incident observed by local police in September 2023. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Austin Montgomery, 37, entered his plea on November 20, 2025, admitting guilt to two counts of an indictment involving violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act.
Montgomery faces significant penalties for these offenses. On Count 1, he admitted to possession with intent to distribute at least forty grams of a substance containing fentanyl. This charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to forty years in prison, as well as a possible fine of up to $5 million and at least four years of supervised release.
Count 3 charges Montgomery with being a felon in possession of a firearm. For this offense, he could receive up to fifteen years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee.
According to court documents, on September 14, 2023, New Orleans Police Department officers were conducting surveillance on Clio Street when they observed Montgomery selling a controlled substance from his vehicle after receiving cash from another individual. Following the transaction, Montgomery drove with another passenger to a gas station where he was seen carrying a concealed firearm.
Police detained Montgomery at the scene and recovered multiple firearms from his person and vehicle—including a Glock pistol from his waistband—as well as quantities of fentanyl and items commonly used in drug distribution such as sandwich bags and digital scales. A search warrant executed at his residence also revealed contraband related to drug trafficking and marijuana.
Montgomery is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.
United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier is scheduled to sentence Montgomery on February 26, 2026.
“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,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. “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 investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed is prosecuting the case.