New Orleans Man Guilty of Federal Fentanyl and Firearm Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JOSHUA BENSON ("BENSON"), a/k/a "Big Mal," age 36, of New Orleans, pled guilty on November 3, 2026, before United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to Counts One, Three, Four, Five, and Six of a six-count indictment charging him with violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.

BENSON pled guilty to Count One, possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A). In Count Three, BENSON pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). BENSON also pled guilty to Counts Four, Five, and Six, distribution of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C).

As to the fentanyl possession charge in Count One, BENSON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release. As to the felon in possession charge in Count Three, BENSON faces up to fifteen years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. As to the fentanyl distribution charge in Count Four, BENSON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to forty years in prison, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release. As to each fentanyl distribution charge in Counts Five and Six, BENSON faces up to twenty years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

According to court documents, between August and October 2025, BENSON sold nearly 100 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant working with the Drug Enforcement Administration, in three controlled purchases near his residence in New Orleans. On October 30, 2025, agents executed federal search warrants at BENSON's apartment and a second residence. In BENSON's apartment, agents found more than one kilogram of fentanyl, much of it hidden behind the headboard of his bed, along with a digital scale, a vacuum sealer, and $5,080 in cash. In a storage drawer built into BENSON's bed, agents found a loaded Heckler & Koch nine-millimeter pistol fitted with an extended magazine. At the second residence, agents seized a safe holding $48,000 in cash. BENSON is prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction for attempted armed robbery with a firearm.

Sentencing is set for February 2, 2027, before United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul J. Hubbell, IV and Briana Williams of the Narcotics Unit; and Narcotics Unit Supervisor Lynn Schiffman are in charge of the prosecution.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

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