United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Hakeem Allen, age 28, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 160 months in federal prison following his convictions for distribution and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, clonazepam, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Court further sentenced Allen to four years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered that the firearm used be forfeited.
According to admissions made as a part of his guilty plea, between September 15, 2022, and October 2, 2022, Allen sold fentanyl and clonazepam to confidential informants in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during controlled purchases monitored by law enforcement.
On October 4, 2022, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives executed search warrants on three residences associated with Allen’s drug activities. Upon arrival of law enforcement officers, Allen attempted to flee but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. Agents located approximately $3,105 in U.S. currency in his pants pocket. Agents walked the route of Allen’s flight and located a Glock, model 19, 9mm handgun with an extended magazine. Agents also located a plastic bag containing approximately 7.28 ounces of marijuana, as well as a plastic bag containing 42.79 grams of a mixture and substances containing heroin and fentanyl on the route. A search of one of the residences revealed approximately 153 grams of fentanyl, 8 grams of crack cocaine, 17 grams of cocaine, 18 grams of methamphetamine, 186 grams of marijuana, and one handheld digital scale. Allen was found to be in possession of more than $84,000 in drug proceeds at the time of his arrest. Agents later determined that approximately $300 of this seized money was pre-recorded East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office funds used during the previous controlled purchases from Allen.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eli J. Abad.