NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ARMOND BURNETTE (“BURNETTE”), age 35, of New Orleans, pled guilty on February 11, 2025 to a three-count indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
BURNETTE faces a maximum penalty of (20) years imprisonment, at least three (3) years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1,000,000, for possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances; and a maximum penalty of fifteen (15) years imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.00 for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. BURNETTE also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count.
According to court documents, on June 23, 2023, New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) officers observed BURNETTE who was wanted for multiple attachments, walking in the French Quarter. NOPD officers approached BURNETTE but he fled and was arrested a short time later. BURNETTE was found in possession of a plastic bag with twenty-one (21) individually wrapped baggies containing fentanyl, and 3.39 grams of cocaine. On April 25, 2024, NOPD officers conducting a drug investigation, observed BURNETTE exit a silver BMW in the 600 block of Iberville and enter a bar wearing a backpack. Officers met BURNETTE as he was exiting the bar without the backpack. Officers located the bag, that contained a firearm, near a poker machine inside the bar.
Officers opened the bag and found a firearm. Thereafter, officers searched the silver BMW and recovered one bag containing seven bags of fentanyl, a digital scale, and a small amount of methamphetamine.
After searching the backpack , officers also recovered six dosages of Tapentadol, ecstasy pills, approximately 4 grams of cocaine, and a stolen .40 caliber Smith & Wesson firearm.
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 track violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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 case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Assistant United States Attorney Michael E. Trummel of the Violent Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
