NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JOSHUA BOGEN, age 31, a resident of Houma, Louisiana, pled guilty on March 1, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the commission of a drug trafficking offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii), felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), and assaulting a federal officer, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(b), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, on Oct. 18, 2021, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents received information that BOGEN, a convicted felon, would be transporting approximately two pounds of crystal methamphetamine from Houma, Louisiana to a residence on Pauger Street in New Orleans to conduct a drug deal. Upon arriving at the Pauger Street residence, BOGEN got out of his vehicle carrying a large bag containing 1009.9 grams of pure methamphetamine and a Glock Model 26 Gen 4, nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun with a round in the chamber. DEA agents then turned on their surveillance unit’s flashing blue lights and began to exit the vehicle. Immediately after an agent opened their door, BOGEN brandished his handgun and pointed it directly at one of the agents. Agents took cover at the rear of the vehicle and one shot was fired in BOGEN’s direction. BOGEN, who was not wounded, immediately threw the handgun and the large bag of methamphetamine over the fence adjacent to the driveway of the residence and surrendered.
For possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, BOGEN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. For brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the commission of a drug trafficking offense, BOGEN faces a statutory minimum sentence of seven years of imprisonment, up to life, to run consecutive with any other sentence, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release. For being a felon in possession of a firearm, BOGEN faces up to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years supervised release. For assaulting a federal officer, BOGEN faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years supervised release. For each of the four counts, BOGEN faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys