U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

Eastern District of Louisiana Joins DOJ Fraud Division, SBA, and SBA OIG in Law Enforcement Surge Takedown Exceeding $245 Million in COVID-19 related Loan Fraud

Joint national takedown: 40 U.S. Attorney’s Offices, along with 20 federal and state investigative agencies participate in two-month enforcement surge

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney David I. Courcelle for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced today the successful prosecution of seven (7) defendants for Small Business Administration related fraud, resulting in seven (7) guilty pleas, four (4) of which have already been sentenced, making EDLA a key player in the nationwide enforcement surge led by the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”), and the SBA Office of Inspector General targeting fraud in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). See more.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/eastern-district-louisiana-joins-doj-fraud-division-sba-and-sba-oig-law-enforcement

09/14/2026

Today, United States Attorney David I. Courcelle joined FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge SAC Jonathan Tapp, and our law enforcement partners, in announcing the successful results of Operation Summer Heat 2.0

Summer Heat was a nationwide FBI led multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional operation throughout the Greater New Orleans area, that targeted violent crime, gangs, transnational criminal organizations, repeat offenders and drug trafficking.

Thank you SAC Tapp for your leadership, and thanks to the members of your team for their hard work on Operation Summer Heat 2.0.

We also extend special thanks to our law enforcement partners for their commitment, dedication and service to the residents of Southeast Louisiana.

09/14/2026

New Orleans Man Guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Co***ne

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RAYNELL PEARSON (“PEARSON”), age 48, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on September 10, 2026 to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of co***ne, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. See more.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/new-orleans-man-guilty-conspiracy-distribute-500-grams-or-more-co***ne

09/11/2026

Today, United States Attorney David I. Courcelle had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion on criminal law with United States District Court Judge Lance M. Africk, United States District Court Judge Brandon S. Long, and Federal Public Defender Claude J. Kelly, for the United States District Court Eastern District of Louisiana Fourth Federal Bench and Bar Conference.

Thank you to Chief United States District Judge Wendy Vitter, United States District Judge Jane Triche Millazzo, United States Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby and the entire U.S. District Court judiciary for the privilege and opportunity to participate in the Federal Bench and Bar Conference.

09/11/2026

Yesterday, United States Attorney David I. Courcelle and Federal Public Defender Claude J. Kelly provided a warm welcome to the incoming judicial law clerks for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. During this presentation, the law clerks learned about the respective missions and duties of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Public Defender’s Office.

Congratulations law clerks, we wish you well in your new role, as well as in your future endeavors.

09/11/2026

This week, United States Attorneys David I. Courcelle, Eastern District of Louisiana, Kurt L. Wall, Middle District of Louisiana and Zachary A. Keller, Western District of Louisiana, joined Governor Jeff Landry and FBI New Orleans Field Office Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp to welcome Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel to Lafayette, Louisiana, where Director Patel addressed and commended the Louisiana federal, state and local law enforcement community about the state of law enforcement in the Pelican State.

Thank you, Director Patel, for your words of recognition and encouragement to Louisiana’s public servants.

09/11/2026

Today, we solemnly remember the nearly 3,000 people who perished on September 11, 2001. On this 25th anniversary, we honor the brave first responders, the resolute members of our military, and the ordinary Americans who showed extraordinary courage and compassion in the face of tragedy. We remain grateful for their sacrifice and for the strength our nation demonstrated in the days and years that followed.

09/10/2026

Training is essential to success.

On September 9, 2026, United States Attorney David I. Courcelle, Criminal Chief Nolan Paige, and Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne presented Fourth and Fifth Amendment training to special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The training, titled Fourth and Fifth Amendment Issues in Federal Searches and Seizures and recent Fifth Circuit Developments, was hosted by DEA Special Agent in Charge John Scott and Division Counsel Pierre Leandre at the New Orleans Field Division.

Thank you, Special Agent in Charge John Scott and Division Counsel Pierre Leandre for the partnership and opportunity to collaborate with your team.