A New Orleans man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for drug and weapons offenses. Lawrence Watkins, 27, received a 72-month sentence followed by four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon on November 20, 2025.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on June 22, 2023, when Louisiana State Police troopers and members of the FBI New Orleans Gang Task Force were conducting patrols in Algiers as part of efforts to address violent crime. Law enforcement attempted to stop a suspicious Dodge Durango, which then fled before crashing into a utility pole. The occupants, including Watkins, left the vehicle on foot but were apprehended shortly after.
After Watkins was taken into custody, officers recovered his backpack containing a Century Arms Micro Draco pistol chambered in 7.62x39mm, multiple rounds of ammunition, $1,053 in cash, drug paraphernalia, and quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana.
“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,” said 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.” For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods visit Justice.gov/PSN.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI New Orleans Gang Task Force and Louisiana State Police. Special Assistant United States Attorney James Ollinger and Assistant United States Attorney Mike Trummel prosecuted the case.