Bogalusa Man Indicted in Federal Court / Faces Lengthy Prison Time

Romero Morris, age 34 and a resident of Bogalusa, was charged on August 18, 2023, in an eleven-count indictment with several violations of the Federal Gun Control and Federal Controlled Substances Acts, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the indictment, Morris distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute, different drugs on  December 19, 2018, January 17, 2019, April 1, 2019, March 25, 2022, January 26, 2023, February 8, 2023, and February 14, 2023.  He also illegally possessed firearms as a convicted felon and, in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes, on several of these dates. 

• In Counts 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 of the indictment, he is charged with the distribution of different drugs, including cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.  As to each of these counts, he will face a sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and not less than three years of supervised release.
• In Counts 4 and 9,  he is charged with possession with the intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl, and quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine.  For the fentanyl, he will face a minimum sentence of 5 years and up to 40 years  in prison, a fine of not more than $5,000.000, and at least 4 years of supervised release.  For the cocaine and methamphetamine, he will face a sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and not less than three years of supervised release.
• For Counts 5 and 10,  he is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm for which he  faces a sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, and not more than three years of supervised release.
• For, Counts 6 and 11, he is charged with possession a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and faces a sentence of not less than 5 years and not more than life in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, and not more than five years of supervised release.  Furthermore, any sentence of imprisonment imposed must be served consecutively to any other sentence he will be serving.
• Finally, as to each of the charged counts, Morris faces payment of a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Louisiana State Police,  the State of Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole, and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Department.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr. of the Narcotics Unit.

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