A 25-year-old man from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Rashun Hutchinson, pleaded guilty on September 11, 2025, to several violations of federal drug and gun laws. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Hutchinson admitted guilt to three counts in an indictment before United States District Judge Barry Ashe. The first count involved conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, specifically fentanyl and methamphetamine. The second count charged him with possession with intent to distribute more than four hundred grams of fentanyl. The third count involved possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
For the drug-related charges (Counts 1 and 16), Hutchinson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment, fines up to $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release after serving his prison term. For the firearms charge (Count 17), he faces an additional mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life imprisonment, a fine that could reach $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release. He is also required to pay a $100 special assessment fee for each count.
According to court documents, Hutchinson worked with seven others from an unknown start date through at least September 10, 2024, distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout Tangipahoa Parish using wire and electronic communications.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation aimed at disrupting high-level criminal organizations through collaboration among multiple agencies. More details about OCDETF can be found at http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Additionally, this prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which coordinates efforts between law enforcement agencies and community groups to reduce violent crime and gun violence nationwide. Information about PSN is available at Justice.gov/PSN.
Acting United States Attorney Simpson acknowledged the contributions of several law enforcement agencies: “I want to commend the work done by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.” Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver from the Narcotics Unit is handling the prosecution.
