NEW ORLEANS — Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office officials announced a major resolution in a case DA Williams described as “tragic, disturbing, and deeply revealing” for the community, especially as New Orleans enters Carnival season, when the city is at its most vibrant and most vulnerable.

On Monday, February 2, 2026, defendant Shawn Strickler pled guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 30 years in prison for administering a fatal dose of an illicit designer sedative that caused the death of Zachary Hovsepian. The plea was entered in Criminal District Court, Section A, before Judge Simone Levine.

“This plea holds him accountable for his acts in our city that claimed Zach’s young life and endangered many others,” said District Attorney Jason Rogers Williams, “But it also forces us to confront a much broader and more dangerous reality.”

Williams emphasized that the conduct at the center of the case was not accidental. “This was not an accident. This was not a misunderstanding,” he said. “This was a predictable outcome of an established pattern of intentional, wanton, predatory behavior.”

Williams warned residents and visitors to become familiar with (klah-nazah-lam) clonazolam, a powerful illicit sedative not approved for medical use.

“People know the name fentanyl very well now,” Williams said. “They need to know the name of this drug as well.”

He described clonazolam as a substance that can suppress memory and awareness and “suppress the body’s ability to fight back,” warning that drugging someone without their knowledge can quickly become catastrophic.

“We’re seeing more drugs in more forms and more places,” Williams said, counterfeit pills and substances that appear harmless but can be lethal in small doses. “These substances do not discriminate by age, by neighborhood, or by background. Lives are being lost because someone else decided to take advantage of someone else.”

As Carnival season intensifies, Williams issued an urgent message for the city.

“This is a time of revelry, but it has to be a time of vigilance,” he said. “No celebration—no party—should ever come at the cost of someone’s life.”

He urged the public to take concrete steps immediately:

• Watch your drink and don’t leave drinks or food unattended
• Move in groups using the buddy system
• Be cautious about substances offered to you—even from someone who seems “harmless”
• Use drink test strips and medication testing tools whenever possible
• If something feels off, alert law enforcement—better safe than sorry

“A multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional coalition will be here as they are every year,” Williams said, encouraging residents and visitors to trust their instincts and report concerning behavior.

Williams credited the OPDA Special Victims Unit (SVU), created just over a year ago, with building cases strong enough to drive accountability while reducing the burden on families.

“When cases are built stronger, it means more defendants taking accountability without retraumatizing the families of victims with trials and appeals,” Williams said.

SVU Chief Michelle Jones described an investigation that began as a drug possession case but quickly revealed indicators of a broader pattern.

“We got this case when it was just a possession of drugs case. But we knew there was more,” Jones said.

Jones described coordinated work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) investigators, and Florida partners that helped uncover evidence of numerous assaults and identify prior victims.

“I take this moment to raise awareness and echo what DA Williams said,” Jones added. “You’ve got to watch your friends’ backs, cover your drinks, and do test strips. If somebody offers you something claiming it’s an Advil, you can’t trust them.”

Jones also issued a direct message to survivors.

“Come forward,” she said. “We’re here. We will listen. We will support you. We will give you a voice.”

Senior Assistant District Attorney Andre Gaudin emphasized the complexity of holding offenders accountable across jurisdictions and warned about counterfeit pills passed “hand to hand and friend to friend” throughout the city.

“In this particular case, the defendant’s weapon of choice was (klah-nazah-lam) clonazolam, disguised and pressed into the form of a common Xanax,” Gaudin said. “You must not trust any controlled substances that you have not yourself obtained from a licensed dispensary.”

Gaudin noted that the plea and sentencing spared the victim’s family the additional pain of a trial while still ensuring serious consequences. He added that the outcome was the result of “hard, detailed investigative work and victim-centered prosecution.”

Dr. Jordan Pedalino with the New Orleans Health Department outlined the work of Crescent City Courage (CCC), a citywide sexual assault prevention initiative partnering with local nighttime establishments.

“We’re currently working with local nighttime establishments about planning, prevention, risk management, and helping you to make your establishment safer,” Pedalino said.

Pedalino said Crescent City Courage is supporting prevention efforts by connecting venues and the public to tools such as test strips and drink covers/caps, and offering free training for nightlife staff.

“Prevention only works when we’re all working together as a city,” Pedalino said. Residents and business owners can learn more through Instagram @CrescentCityCourage or by reaching out through the District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU).

Speaking on behalf of the family, Zachary’s sister, Brianna Futrell, urged the public to take the warning seriously and protect one another.

“Please be careful when you are out,” Futrell said. “Please watch your drinks and watch your friends. The loss that we have suffered is unimaginable. We want to raise awareness so this does not happen to anyone else.”

She remembered Zach as “smart, funny, and full of life,” and thanked investigators and prosecutors in Louisiana and Florida who helped bring the case to a resolution.

Zachary’s brother, Greg Hovsepian, reflected on Zach’s impact and the family’s commitment to honoring him:

“Zach was truly larger than life and had a special ability to connect with people and make an impact,” Greg said. “This was not only limited to his humorous years, as his good nature was shown to the world through this case, and he put away a violent offender for a very long time. I was honored to call him not only a brother but a best friend, and myself, along with those closest to him, will continue to honor his legacy exceptionally.”

Williams closed with a direct appeal to the city: celebrate, but do it with care and intervene when something feels wrong.

“If you have ever been a victim, please come forward,” Williams said. “The shame has to switch sides. Shame belongs on the part of the predator, not the survivor.”

He urged everyone to make Zachary’s story mean something in real time: “Enjoy the best the city has to offer,” Williams said, “but do so with care and by looking out for each other.”

WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE

The full press conference, including case details and remarks from OPDA, family members, and partner agencies, is available at the link below.

Press Conference Video

Tel: (504) 822-2414 | Email: communications@orleansda.com