A New Orleans, Louisiana woman pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one ounce of fentanyl.

According to court documents, Angelle McLaughlin, 30, was caught in the parking garage of a Mississippi casino engaging in a drug transaction.  McLaughlin traveled with two other individuals from Louisiana to the Mississippi casino to sell fentanyl.  Officers encountered the trio and found that McLaughlin was in possession of one ounce of fentanyl that was intended for sale to a recipient at the casino.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.  The DEA reports that two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, and one kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.  More facts on fentanyl can be found at https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl and https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl.

McLaughlin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 14, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose is prosecuting the case.