United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JON VERDIN (“VERDIN”), age 29, of Terrebonne Parish, La., was sentenced on May 14, 2025. by United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance, after previously pleading guilty to possessing over a kilogram of fentanyl and four firearms, in addition to money laundering.  As to the charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, VERDIN was sentenced to 200 months imprisonment, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  As to the charges of felon in possession of firearms and engaging in monetary transactions derived from a specified unlawful activity, VERDIN was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee on each count.  All sentenced are to run concurrently with each other.

According to court records, on February 2, 2022, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at VERDIN’s home and recovered over a kilogram of fentanyl and four firearms.  VERDIN admitted he possessed the fentanyl with intent to distribute.  He also admitted that he possessed the firearms knowing he had prior felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing a firearm.

During the investigation, law enforcement learned that on March 20, 2021, VERDIN used proceeds from a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to purchase a Lincoln MKZ for $28,000, an act of money laundering.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Houma Police Department, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.