Chicago Resident Pleads Guilty to Delivering Three Kilograms of Heroin to New Orleans Drug Dealer

 NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RICKY REDD, age 35, a resident of Chicago, Illinois, pled guilty on June 10, 2021 to conspiring to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. REDD is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a possible fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release upon his release from prison and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. 

According to court records, on December 27, 2017, agents intercepted communications between REDD and Arthur Johnson, a New Orleans based heroin dealer. In these communications, REDD and Johnson discussed REDD’s pending delivery of heroin. REDD was driving that day from Chicago to New Orleans to give Johnson a bag containing approximately three kilograms of heroin. 

Later that same day, surveillance agents observed REDD and Johnson twice meet at the Holiday Inn Hotel, located at 330 Loyola Avenue in New Orleans. During the first meeting, REDD gave Johnson the bag containing approximately three kilograms of heroin. During the second meeting, Johnson gave REDD approximately $187,000. REDD was to earn a small amount of the money that Johnson paid him.

The evidence against REDD includes numerous intercepted communications, including jail calls, physical surveillance, and witness statements.

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan will sentence REDD on October 6, 2021. REDD, Johnson, and five other defendants were charged in 2018 with conspiring to distribute heroin in the New Orleans area.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the FBI’s New Orleans Gang Task Force in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney David Howard Sinkman is in charge of the prosecution.