New Orleans Man Guilty of Felony Drug and Gun Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - On October 8, 2026, RAYVANELL WILLIAMS ("WILLIAMS"), age 31, pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon to Counts One and Three of the indictment pending against him, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.

Count One charged WILLIAMS with violations of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), possession with the intent to distribute Tapentadol. Count Three charged him with violations of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), being a felon in possession of a firearm.

As to Count One, WILLIAMS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and up to a $100,00,000 fine. As to Count Three, the maximum penalties are up to 15 years imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine. WILLIAMS is set for sentencing on January 7, 2027.

According to court documents, in June 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) New Orleans Violent Crime Task Force began investigating an Instagram account that frequently featured photographs of WILLIAMS, a convicted felon, in possession of firearms. Agents obtained an Instagram search warrant and in the message history, observed conversations in which WILLIAMS offered firearms and Tapentadol for sale. Search warrants executed on two residences associated with WILLIAMS led to the recovery to two firearms and Tapentadol.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) New Orleans Violent Crime Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. 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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