A New Orleans Man Indicted for Federal Drug and Gun Violations
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – GIE Z. PRESTON, age 36, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a six-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for distribution of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and the illegal possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the indictment, PRESTON had a previous conviction in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court in 1995 for Manslaughter. Under federal law, PRESTON’s 1995 conviction prevented him from possessing firearms as charged in the indictment.
If convicted of all six counts, PRESTON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ninety (90) years, maximum fines of 3,000,000, and supervised release of at least six (6) years with a mandatory assessment of $600.
U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment of a defendant is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Abe McGull.
###