New Orleans Man Guilty Of Federal Drug-Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA -ROBERT POLK ("POLK"), age 23, pleaded guilty on May 19, 2026 before Chief U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to possession with intent to distribute tapentadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(a)(i); being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8); and possessing a stolen firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(j) and 924(a)(2), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.

According to court documents, since at least 2024, POLK sold tapentadol and marijuana in the New Orleans area. On May 20, 2024, New Orleans Police Department ("NOPD") officers encountered POLK at a tire shop on North Claiborne Avenue. POLK was in possession of a loaded handgun, and tapentadol pills and marijuana that he intended to sell. POLK was arrested but later released. On December 11, 2025, POLK stole a Glock Model 23 pistol from an associate. On December 30, 2025, law enforcement searched POLK's residence and found the stolen Glock pistol hidden inside a cooler. Due to prior felony convictions in Arkansas for aggravated assault on a family, or household member, and terroristic threatening in the first degree, POLK is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

As to his drug-trafficking conviction, POLK faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. As to his conviction for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, POLK faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to each other and any other sentence, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. As to his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, POLK faces up to 15 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. As to his conviction for possessing a stolen firearm, POLK faces up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.