Western District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Illegal Possession of Drugs and Guns Result in Time in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Three men charged with drug trafficking and firearms charges in three separate cases have been sentenced to time in federal prison, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced.
Henry Cota, Jr., 38, of Ontario, California, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to spend 135 months (11 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Cota was charged in a superseding indictment in January 2020 and pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on March 17, 2021. The charges stemmed from an investigation into shipments of methamphetamine that were sent in March, April and July 2019 to individuals in the Shreveport area. During an investigation into these shipments, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service learned that Cota, along with another co-defendant, were shipping the packages containing methamphetamine from post offices in the California area to Shreveport for distribution.
The DEA and United States Postal Inspection Service conducted this investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.
Percy Charles Johnson, 36, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to spend 33 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On February 20, 2020, officers with the Shreveport Police Department responded to a welfare check at an apartment complex in Shreveport. Officers found Johnson sleeping on a hallway floor and he had a loaded pistol in his pocket. Johnson is a convicted felon and knew that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. His prior felony conviction was for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in Caddo Parish in 2009.
In another case involving a convicted felon illegally possessing a firearm, United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Steven Randell Johnson, 29, also of Shreveport, to spend 20 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. On May 3, 2020, while patrolling the Line Avenue area, an officer with the Shreveport Police Department heard gunfire nearby and went to investigate. The officer observed a vehicle being driven down the street with the driver’s side front door open. Another responding officer saw an adult male jump from the vehicle and run into a nearby residence. Law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle and ordered the driver, determined to be Johnson, to exit the vehicle and he complied. The officer observed a semi-automatic pistol on the front passenger floorboard and Johnson admitted to officers that the pistol, which was loaded with 19 live rounds and one in the chamber, belonged to him. He has prior felony convictions for second degree cruelty to a juvenile (2015) and simple burglary (2012), and is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted both investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth D. Reeg and Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the cases.
These cases are 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Owner of Tax Preparation Business Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding the Internal Revenue ServiceRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Angelena Adams, 52, of Princeton, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to spend 27 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release and restitution to be paid in the amount of $188,328, for defrauding the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced.
Angelena Adams, a.k.a Angelena Morris, was indicted by a federal grand jury on tax fraud charges in May 2020. She pleaded guilty on March 15, 2021 to making and subscribing to a false return. Adams worked in the tax return preparation business from 2008 through 2015. Beginning in 2012 and continuing through 2015, Adams opened and operated Angie’s Tax Service, a tax return preparation business in Ringgold, Louisiana.
Angie’s Tax Service prepared and submitted client tax returns electronically to the IRS. The business income from Angie’s Tax Service was deposited into Adams’ personal bank account. Adams did not report the income from the business on her Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return for tax years 2013, 2014 and 2015 which, as a result, greatly reduced her adjusted gross income for those tax years. On or about October 15, 2014, Adams completed and filed a false tax return for tax year 2013 stating that her adjusted gross income in 2013 was $166,011, when in truth and in fact, her adjusted gross income was substantially more than that, with gross receipts totaling $702,855 during 2013 for tax return preparation.
The IRS – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case.
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Abbeville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Scott Grigsby, 41, of Abbeville, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to 102 months (8 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Grigsby with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and he pleaded guilty to the charge on April 9, 2021. According to information presented in court, on January 28, 2020, deputies with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force were conducting surveillance of a residence in Kaplan, Louisiana and observed a vehicle being driven by Grigsby arrive at the residence. Law enforcement officers approached the vehicle and Grigsby attempted to flee the area driving at a high rate of speed in reverse. His vehicle struck a marked police unit and lost control and came to rest in a ditch. Officers arrested Grigsby and his passenger. Grigsby admitted to police that he had thrown a firearm out of the window of the car while attempting to flee. After a brief search of the area, officers located the 9mm pistol near the vehicle in the ditch.
As a convicted felon, Grigsby is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition. His prior felony convictions were for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (2017); identity theft, simple burglary, and aggravated flight from an officer (2010); and simple robbery (2003).
The ATF and Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon prosecuted the case.
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Tallulah Man Sentenced for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Patrick Senclair Jackson, 46, of Tallulah, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for drug trafficking.
Jackson was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2020 and pleaded guilty on March 3, 2021 to distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The drug trafficking charges are the result of an investigation into the illegal activities of Jackson.
Law enforcement agents were familiar with Jackson’s involvement in drug trafficking as they had previously purchased methamphetamine from him in June 2019 during an undercover operation. The methamphetamine that was purchased from Jackson during the undercover operation was later sent to the crime lab and confirmed to be 8.87 grams of methamphetamine.
In November 2019, law enforcement agents initiated a traffic stop of Jackson to execute an outstanding arrest warrant on him. During the traffic stop, agents observed a revolver in the driver’s side door of the vehicle he was driving. Law enforcement agents obtained a search warrant and found 9.17 net grams of powder cocaine, 1.95 grams of crack cocaine and less than one gram of methamphetamine, and other drug paraphernalia.
The DEA, ATF, and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
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Second Round of Individuals Charged with Disaster Assistance FraudRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury has returned 11 separate indictments charging 11 individuals with fraudulently applying for and receiving disaster benefits from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is a department of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
In August 2016, severe flooding impacted south Louisiana and a Presidential disaster declaration was issued on August 14, 2016 under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The incident period covered August 11, 2016 through August 31, 2016. FEMA was authorized to provide transportation assistance for repair or replacement of a primary vehicle damaged by the disaster.
The indictments allege that on certain dates between September 26, 2016 and November 11, 2016 each of the defendants, acting in concert with others, made false statements and representations to FEMA in an application for transportation benefits and provided certain documentation required by FEMA to process the claim in connection with the Presidential Disaster Declaration for the Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding. Each application for Disaster Assistance was submitted on behalf of each defendant claiming their vehicle sustained flood damage in Iberia and Lafayette Parishes in Louisiana, when each of them was a resident of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, which was not included as a designated parish for assistance.
The indictments further allege that each defendant submitted a signed letter to FEMA stating the subject vehicle belonged to the defendant, was their only means of transportation, and was no longer operable. In each case, the repair estimates submitted by each defendant, which ranged from $6,215 to $9,042, were all from repair shops that did not exist. A list of the defendants and the charges they face are as follows:
Defendant Name
Charges
Dwayne Clark, 49,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Roshawn Lewis, 31,
New Iberia, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Michelle Annette Kirt, 52,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Darius Juandre Stansbury, 30,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Keshawn Alonzo Gray, 24,
Berwick, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Kieshondra Monique Lovely, 41,
Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Juanita Dugas, 58,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Nicole Gibson, 51,
Garden City, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Gail Nelson, 65,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Michell Antoinette Fernandez, 40,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Eric Joseph Daniels, 37,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Nine individuals were previously indicted in related cases on April 22, 2021. Those individuals and their charges were as follows:
Defendant Name
Charges
Brittany Nicole Hawkins, 29,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Shannan Latreice Johnson, 45,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Tasha Jesse Louis, 39,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Jarnell Wayne Payne, a/k/a Jernell W. Payne, 43,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Kevin Callery, 54,
Baldwin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Leo Green, Jr., 55,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Robert Joseph Johnson, Jr., 33,
Patterson, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Derrick Shawn Kirt, 44,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Johnathan D. Wilson, 38,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If you have any information to report concerning potential FEMA fraud, please call the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721.
This investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the cases.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Prison TimeRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Eugene Thurman, 46, of Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Thurman with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Thurman pleaded guilty on March 10, 2021. According to information presented in court, detectives with the Monroe Police Department received an anonymous tip that Thurman, a convicted felon, was possessing an assault rifle inside his Monroe apartment. Police officers went to Thurman’s residence to investigate and eventually discovered a loaded assault rifle inside his bedroom.
Thurman was previously convicted in the U.S. District Court in Monroe in 2002 for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. In addition, he has a state felony conviction for cocaine possession in 2003.
The ATF and Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon prosecuted the case.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Shreveport Tax Preparer Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Dequita Hopkins-Ashley, 40, of Shreveport, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to spend 18 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, for tax fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. Hopkins-Ashley was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $129,000.
Hopkins-Ashley was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2020 and charged with numerous counts of aiding and assisting in making and subscribing a false return and three counts of false statement on an income tax return. On March 26, 2021, Hopkins-Ashley entered a plea of guilty to the charge of aiding and assisting in making and subscribing a false return. According to information presented in court, Hopkins-Ashley owned and operated a tax preparation service called “Elite Tax Service” in Shreveport and was employed as a tax preparer.
In February 2017, Hopkins-Ashley met with an undercover agent posing as a client of Elite Tax Service. Hopkins-Ashley prepared and filed a Form 1040 for the undercover agent and claimed a false business loss on Form Schedule C in the amount of $6,100. The undercover agent did not provide this information to her, and in truth and in fact, no such business existed. As a result of the misrepresentation on the Form Schedule C, the falsified tax return showed a refund to which the individual was not entitled and was a misrepresentation that Hopkins-Ashley knew to be untrue.
The IRS - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian C. Flanagan and Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.
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Project Safe Neighborhoods Cases Result in Two Shreveport Men Going to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Two Shreveport men were sentenced today by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter in separate cases which are a result of continued efforts by federal and local law enforcement agencies to curb gun violence in the area as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced.
LaBroderick B. Gandy, 29, was charged in an indictment with one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and pled guilty to the charge on March 23, 2021. Gandy was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Evidence presented in court revealed that on May 20, 2020, Gandy possessed a firearm which he was prohibited from doing. Officers with the Shreveport Police Department responded to a call from a concerned citizen about shots being fired at an apartment complex on Pines Road in Shreveport. While in route to the location, officers received a call from another concerned citizen that a man wearing a red shirt was seen walking on Pines Road and it appeared he was reaching in his belt line to retrieve a possible weapon.
Officers traveled down Pines Road and located a suspect wearing a red shirt, later determined to be Gandy. Before making contact with Gandy, officers observed him throw an object into a wooded area. Gandy was taken into custody and officers searched the wooded area and located a firearm. Gandy has prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance (2017), aggravated assault with a firearm (2015), and simple assault (2014) and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Michael S. Collins, Jr., 22, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. Collins pleaded guilty to the charge on March 26, 2021.
According to information presented to the court, Shreveport Police Department officers received a call regarding suspicious activity in the area of Lynbrook Drive in Shreveport. The call reported that a black male approached a mail carrier while having a firearm visible in his vehicle wanting a package that did not have his name on it. The package was being shipped to a vacant residence. The postal worker told him the house was vacant and the package would be at the main post office. When police officers arrived at the main post office, they observed Collins getting into a car and leaving. A traffic stop was conducted, and Collins was found to be sitting on a loaded .40 caliber pistol and had an AR-15 with a drum magazine loaded with 56 rounds behind the driver’s seat. Officers also found Collins to have over $2,300 in cash and a package containing approximately three pounds of marijuana edibles and a scale. In addition, the package Collins picked up from the post office was found and it contained over four pounds of vacuum-sealed marijuana inside.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tennille Gilreath and J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the cases.
These cases are 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Federal Inmate Found Guilty of Mailing Suspicious Letters to United States SenateRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Clifton Lamar Dodd, 49, a federal inmate, has been found guilty by a jury in Lafayette of mailing a number of hoax letters to United States Senate post office boxes, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. presided over the four-day trial.
According to evidence presented at trial, on May 2, 2016, personnel at the United States Senate mail facility received four suspicious mailed envelopes, each containing a white powdery substance. Each envelope bore a return address of FCI Oakdale and each listed a different inmate as the purported sender. The United States Capitol Police’s Hazardous Response Unit responded and confirmed that the white powder was merely talcum powder. In addition to the talcum powder, each letter contained a note scrawled in all caps on a small scrap of paper that stated, “MY BOSS MADE ME DO THIS.” On the back of each note was the name of four different inmates, all of which were housed at FCI Oakdale.
U.S. Capitol Police and agents from the FBI and Bureau of Prisons began an investigation into the origin of the letters. Agents interviewed the inmates whose names were listed as senders of the letters and learned that Dodd had sent one of the inmates threatening notes and bragged about getting the inmate removed from the prison yard. FBI submitted the hoax letters to its crime lab for forensic evaluation and found one of Dodd’s fingerprints on the outside of one of the envelopes.
Dodd faces a penalty of up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Sentencing has been set for October 28, 2021.
The FBI, Bureau of Prisons, and U.S. Capitol Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips prosecuted the case.
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Two Louisiana Men Sentenced in Federal Court for Excavating Arrowheads in Kisatchie National ForestRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Tony Fee, 49, and James Carroll, 35, both of Pitkin, Louisiana, have been sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to three (3) years of probation, with mandatory and special conditions, for unlawfully removing and damaging archeological resources at Kisatchie National Forest, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. A special condition imposed by Judge Cain prohibited Fee and Carroll from entering or using the Kisatchie National Forest during their term of probation. The defendants were also ordered to pay $5,676.56 in restitution to the United States Department of Agriculture Forestry Service.
Evidence presented in court revealed that from October 2017 through June 2018, Fee and Carroll conducted unauthorized excavation on public land in the Kisatchie National Forest, doing so in an effort to uncover Native American artifacts, such as arrowheads. On June 1, 2018, Fee and Carroll traveled to their established dig-site, and conducted further excavation and uncovered various Native American artifacts, including arrowheads and some chips of Native American tools or utensils. The excavation site in question was designated by the United States government as a known Archeological Site, and, at all times, Carroll and Fee lacked the necessary permits to conduct the excavation activities. The cost of restoration and repair to the site totaled $5,676.56.
The United States Forest Service conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorneys John W. Nickel and T. Forrest Phillips prosecuted the case.
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Many, Louisiana Man Convicted of Kidnapping and Interstate Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal jury returned a guilty verdict today against Dillon James Merritt, 54, of Many, Louisiana, charging him with kidnapping, interstate domestic violence and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial.
Evidence introduced at trial this week revealed that on December 12, 2017, Merritt kidnapped a woman in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and took her across state lines to Texas and held her against her will from December 12, 2017 through December 16, 2017. Testimony at trial showed that Merritt and the woman (victim) briefly dated in the fall of 2017, but after Merritt punched the victim in the stomach following an argument, the victim severed the relationship with Merritt. Following the breakup, he continually called the victim and harassed her.
During the evening hours of December 12, 2017, Merritt found the victim walking back home from visiting with a friend near the Walmart parking lot in Natchitoches and struck her in the head and put her in a truck and left. The victim was bound and gagged and hidden under clothing in the vehicle and for the next several days, was taken by Merritt to various locations in Louisiana and remote locations in Texas near Toledo Bend. Merritt repeatedly raped the victim, doused her with lighter fluid and tried to set her on fire, and severely beat her with his fists, elbows, feet and with a Maglite flashlight over this four-day period causing serious bodily injury to the victim. In addition to the brutal beatings, aggravated sexual assault, and sexual abuse on the victim committed by Merritt, he possessed with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.
“The severe brutality and sexual abuse inflicted by this defendant on the victim was pure evil,” stated Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “No one deserves to be treated in this manner and justice has prevailed today.”
Merritt faces up to life in prison for the kidnapping charge, life for the interstate domestic violence charges, a maximum of 40 years for the drug charge, and up to a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for November 11, 2021 at 11:00.
The FBI and Sabine County Sheriff’s Office in Hemphill, Texas conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cadesby B. Cooper prosecuted the case.
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Manager of Water System in Red River Parish Pleads Guilty to Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Donald Messick, 50, of Coushatta, Louisiana, appeared before Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. today and pleaded guilty to fraud. A Bill of Information was filed April 23, 2021 in United States District Court charging Messick with one count of wire fraud.
The charge stems from a scheme devised by Messick to defraud the Fairview Union Water System (FUWS), an entity responsible for the management and upkeep of a rural water system in Red River Parish, Louisiana. During the scheme, Messick used FUWS monies to purchase items for his own personal use, including fuel, vehicle parts, tools, and other equipment. In some cases, he would use FUWS funds to purchase items that he would then give to relatives. In another instance, Messick had an electronic funds transfer sent from FUWS’s bank account to another individual located in Florida for her own personal use and did so without authorization from FUWS. Messick also fraudulently enrolled a relative in the group health insurance of FUWS, when that individual was not an employee and not authorized to be on the insurance plan. As a result, FUWS paid the premiums for this individual and the insurer paid out $19,705 in claims made on behalf of the unauthorized individual.
In total, from February 1, 2018 to March 1, 2019, Messick defrauded the FUWS out of approximately $58,459.73 in monies and property.
Messick faces a penalty of not more than 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Sentencing has been set for November 18, 2021.
The FBI and USDA-OIG conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.
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Man Involved in Armed Robbery in Shreveport Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Darren Watts, 26, of Shreveport, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 94 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for his role in an armed robbery that took place in Shreveport in November 2018, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.
On July 7, 2020, Watts pleaded guilty to robbery and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. According to evidence presented in court, Watts, along with Brandon Brown, Rekory Johnson and Courtney Daniels, formulated a plan to rob the Top Dollar Pawn Shop that was located on St. Vincent Avenue in Shreveport. Watts and Johnson entered the store wearing black hoodies, gloves, and clown masks covering their faces carrying handguns. They ordered the store clerks to the floor, opened the cash register and took cash out.
One of the clerks was then forced at gunpoint to open the counter where they also stole 18 pistols, a revolver, and a shotgun, as well as jewelry and over $2,000 in cash. Watts and his co-defendants fled the scene and later split up the stolen items. Several days after the robbery, Watts went around to other pawn shops in the Shreveport area where he pawned the stolen items.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Deshawndo Dewight Williams, Jr., 27, of Texas City, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.
Evidence presented in court revealed that on April 5, 2020, officers with the Lake Charles Police Department were dispatched to an apartment complex in connection with an ongoing domestic dispute involving a male, later identified as Williams, threatening a female with a rifle. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers located Williams and placed him into custody and located and seized the rifle. Their investigation revealed that Williams, who had prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing a firearm, did in fact illegally possess the rifle.
Williams was previously convicted of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling (2015); and simple robbery (2016).
The ATF and Lake Charles Police Department conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen prosecuted the case.
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Officials from Two Louisiana Healthcare Companies Indicted for Multi-Million Dollar Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Charlie L. Simpson, 48, of Downsville, who worked as Chief Operating Officer of United Home Care, Inc. (“United”) and Trinity Home Health Care, Inc. (“Trinity”), and Charles R. Gardner, 53, of West Monroe, who worked as Chief Financial Officer/Controller of United and Trinity. Simpson and Gardner were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and four counts of bank fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.
The indictment alleges that from April 2016 until March 2017, Simpson and Gardner were involved in a scheme to defraud Origin Bank, Peoples Bank, and Louisiana National Bank (“LNB”) by fraudulently obtaining money and credits from the three banks. It is alleged that Simpson and Gardner orchestrated and executed a check kite between accounts at Origin Bank and LNB wherein they deposited hundreds of checks between multiple accounts they controlled at both banks and took advantage of the float when they passed the checks, timing the exchanges to artificially inflate the account balances. In so doing, Simpson and Gardner caused Origin Bank and LNB to honor checks and payments drawn against accounts with insufficient funds and put the financial institutions at risk.
The indictment further alleges that on March 8, 2017, Simpson learned that accounts under his control at LNB had an overdraft and the bank would only accept a certified check to cover the deficit. To cover the overdraft and prevent the kite from collapsing, Simpson and Gardner allegedly added a third bank, Peoples Bank, into the scheme by issuing over 20 checks for approximately $4 million drawn from different accounts at that bank and deposited them into multiple accounts at Origin Bank. However, the accounts used at Peoples Bank did not have sufficient funds to cover the checks deposited into Origin Bank. In fact, the accounts at Peoples Bank had less than $2,000 available. The following day, March 9, 2017, the defendants used the artificially inflated balances to obtain four certified checks totaling $2.1 million from Origin Bank and deposited them into different accounts at LNB to cover the overdraft. Origin Bank suffered a financial loss when it discovered that Simpson and Gardner had used the inflated accounts to obtain certified funds.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI is conducting this investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten is prosecuting the case.
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CITGO Petroleum Corp. to Pay over $19 Million for Injuries to Natural Resources Resulting from its Oil Spill at Lake Charles RefineryRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Houston, Texas-based CITGO Petroleum Corporation has agreed to pay $19.69 million to resolve federal and state claims for natural resource damages under the Oil Pollution Act and the Louisiana Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act.
The United States and Louisiana concurrently filed a civil complaint along with the proposed consent decree. The complaint seeks money damages under the Oil Pollution Act and Louisiana Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act for injuries to natural resources resulting from CITGO’s major oil discharge into the Calcasieu River in June of 2006 from its wastewater treatment facility at its Lake Charles refinery. The complaint alleges that CITGO discharged millions of gallons of waste (slop) oil and oily wastewater from two ten-million-gallon storm surge and wastewater tanks at its treatment facility at the Lake Charles refinery. Approximately 150 miles of shoreline were polluted with CITGO’s oil, including residential and marsh areas. The discharged oil killed birds and fish and other aquatic life, contaminated aquatic and shoreline habitats, forced the closure of the ship channel, and disrupted recreational uses of the impacted river and lakes.
"While oil and gas producers are a major source of employment in Louisiana, they have a sacred obligation to protect our environment and use our resources wisely,” stated Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “This settlement sends a clear signal that those who pollute our environment will be held accountable.”
“Oil companies have a responsibility to protect our waters, people, wildlife, and diverse habitats from oil spills, and those who violate that duty will be held accountable for the harms they cause,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jean E. Williams for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We are glad to work with our federal and state natural resource partners on this major effort to help restore and enhance the environment in Louisiana.”
Of the $19,688,149.83 CITGO is required to pay under the consent decree, $19.16 million is for natural resource damages for the spill, which the federal and state trustees will jointly use to plan, design, and perform restoration projects to compensate for the harms caused by the oil spill. The consent decree also secures payment from CITGO for the trustees’ remaining unpaid injury assessment costs, which total over $528,000.
Today’s action was filed by the Department of Justice and the state on behalf of the federal and state trustees for natural resources. The designated federal trustees for the natural resources impacted by CITGO’s oil spill are the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service. The designated state trustees are the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office, Department of Public Safety & Corrections, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. The federal and state trustees have worked together to perform substantial injury assessment work and are engaged in joint restoration planning efforts.
In an earlier related Clean Water Act enforcement trial spearheaded by the United States on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency, the district court determined that the cause of this avoidable disaster was CITGO’s gross negligence in the operation and maintenance of its wastewater treatment facility and the lack of adequate storage and treatment capacity. CITGO had been improperly using the tanks to accumulate oil, sludge, and oily wastewater at its treatment facility for years. Due to the lack of proper operations and the inadequate storage and treatment capacity at the facility, the tanks overflowed during a rainstorm. At least 54,000 barrels of slop oil (2,268,000 gallons) and untold millions of gallons of oily wastewater breached the faulty secondary containment berm around the tanks and flowed into the waterways, including the adjacent Indian Marais waterway, the Calcasieu River, and the Calcasieu Estuary.
The court found that CITGO “does not appear to have recognized the importance of compliance, pollution control, environmental responsibility, and the overall duty imposed on businesses to operate safely.” The court found that CITGO’s oil spill was “massive, excessive, and a tragedy” and that CITGO “failed to inform the Coast Guard of the true nature of the incident.” CITGO was ordered to perform substantial corrective actions to improve its wastewater treatment facility’s storage and treatment capacity and operations, to pay a state penalty of $3 million to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for the discharge and chronic violations of the company’s discharge permit, and to pay a federal Clean Water Act civil penalty of $81 million. Under a separate criminal plea agreement, CITGO paid a $13 million criminal fine.
The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court review and approval.
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Shreveport Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - John Marston, 38, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.
A federal grand jury indicted Marston on May 20, 2020 and he subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge on September 2, 2020. The charge stems from an incident in January 2020 when law enforcement officers with the Shreveport Street Level Interdiction Unit obtained a search warrant for a residence on Clay Street where Marston was residing and where they suspected ongoing illegal narcotics distribution activity. When officers served the search warrant, they found Marston inside the residence, along with illegal narcotics, firearms, and ammunition. Marston has numerous prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing any weapons and was charged with illegally possessing a firearm. His prior felony convictions are for: attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2014); possession with intent to distribute cocaine (2014); attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2003); simple burglary (2002); and felony theft (1999).
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Louisiana Business Owner Sentenced for Filing False Income Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Alfredo Franco, 54, of Sulphur, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge James D. Cain to 1 year and 1 day in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, on federal tax fraud charges. Franco was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $961,655.
Franco was charged in a Bill of Information with three counts of making and subscribing a false return, statement or other document. On February 23, 2021, Franco pleaded guilty to one count in the Bill of Information. According to information presented in court at the hearing, Franco was self-employed and owned a business in the Calcasieu Parish area. Franco admitted to submitting and electronically filing false and fraudulent U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns on behalf of his himself and his wife for the tax years 2015, 2016, and 2017. He purposefully omitted approximately $702,834 in gross receipts for tax year 2015, $1,270,449 in gross receipts for tax year 2016, and $696,763 in gross receipts for tax year 2017, from Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business), where gross receipts are listed. The omission of this income resulted in an additional tax liability of $961,655.
The IRS conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.
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Illegal Alien with Lengthy Criminal History Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Jose Angel Lopez Valdivierzo, 36, a citizen of Honduras who was living in Bossier City, Louisiana, has been sentenced for illegal re-entry by a removed alien, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced Valdivierzo to 15 months in prison.
Valdivierzo was stopped by Bossier City Police officers for a traffic violation on October 26, 2020 and found him to be in possession of a controlled substance. Valdivierzo has been removed from the United States on ten prior occasions, specifically on the following dates: June 11, 2008; August 15, 2008; October 31, 2008; January 29, 2009; March 18, 2011; October 20, 2011; January 13, 2014; April 25, 2014; February 20, 2015; and March 22, 2017.
His prior federal convictions are for improper entry by an alien (2011) and illegal re-entry by a removed alien (2013 and 2016). Valdivierzo also has prior misdemeanor convictions in Texas for theft (2013) and assault causing bodily injury to a family member (2015).
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Bossier City Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case.
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Two Defendants Sentenced in Federal Court in ShreveportRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that two defendants have been sentenced to federal prison by Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr.
Armed Robbery of Shreveport Store Sends Man to Federal Prison
Rekory Johnson, 26, of Shreveport, has been sentenced for his role in a robbery that took place at the Top Dollar Pawn in Shreveport in November 2018. Johnson pleaded guilty on August 31, 2020 to robbery and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and was sentenced to 117 months (9 years, 9 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
The robbery occurred on November 21, 2018 when Rekory Johnson and his co-defendants entered the Top Dollar Pawn on St. Vincent Avenue in Shreveport, dressed in black hoodies, gloves, wearing clown masks, and armed with handguns. They ordered the store clerks to the floor, opened the register and took cash out. One of the clerks was then forced at gunpoint to open the counter where they also stole 18 pistols, a revolver, and a shotgun, as well as jewelry.
Johnson was also involved in a robbery that occurred on November 27, 2018, when he and Alexander Baker entered the Petro Gas Station on West Bert Kouns in Shreveport with the intent to rob the store using firearms. The two men entered the store wearing all dark clothing, covered faces and both were armed with semi-automatic handguns, and demanded money from the cashier. They told the cashier to open the vault, but she did not have access to it. Johnson and Baker then ran out the side door and got into a parked vehicle driven by Brandon Brown and drove away.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
Nolan Washington a.k.a. “Slim Thug,” 35, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for drug trafficking. Information introduced in court revealed that between March 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019, Washington conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine. Federal law enforcement agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration intercepted phone calls between Washington and a co-defendant wherein they discussed buying and selling of narcotics. Agents conducted surveillance of Washington and observed the sale of the methamphetamine to an individual. A laboratory analysis determined it to be pure methamphetamine.
Law enforcement agents intercepted additional phone calls wherein Washington discussed providing drugs to a co-defendant and Washington spoke about amounts, prices and transportation of drugs.
The DEA, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Shreveport Police Department, Bossier City Police Department, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police and U.S. Marshal’s Service conducted the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Alexandria Jury Convicts Armed Robbery DefendantRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Larcentursa Mayweather a.k.a. “Cent” a.k.a “Lacenturia,” 49, of Winnfield, Louisiana, has been convicted on armed bank robbery charges, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell presided over the four-day trial held in Alexandria.
Mayweather was charged on July 8, 2020 in a federal indictment with conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, two counts of armed bank robbery, and one count of making a false bomb threat. Evidence introduced at trial showed that Mayweather conspired with two other co-defendants, Paul Nash, Jr. and Tabitha Lee Gray a.k.a. “Tabitha White” to rob two banks in the Western District of Louisiana in April 2019.
Mayweather helped plan the bank robberies and instructed Nash and Gray on how to carry out the robberies and what to do and he acted as the getaway driver. On April 2, 2019, Mayweather drove Nash and Gray to Campti, Louisiana and dropped them off at the City Bank and waited for them while they were inside committing the armed robbery. Nash and Gray left the bank with the stolen money and fled to the car where Mayweather was waiting, and they drove away. Prior to the bank robbery and in an effort to divert the attention of law enforcement officers while the robbery was being committed, Mayweather provided Nash with a cell phone and instructed him to make a false report to law enforcement conveying that there was a bomb threat on the Lakeview High School property in Campti.
The second armed robbery occurred on April 16, 2019 at the Bank of Montgomery in Castor, Louisiana. Again, Mayweather helped plan the robbery and instructed Nash and Gray on how to carry out the robbery. Instead of calling in a false report of a bomb threat, this time they committed an arson and set a house on fire to try and divert the attention of local law enforcement while the robbery was being committed. Nash and Gray entered the bank with firearms drawn and ordered the tellers to stay out of the way so they could take the money. After the money was stolen, Nash and Gray ran out of the bank intending to find Mayweather, who had promised he would be waiting to pick them up. Instead, once they exited the bank, Mayweather saw law enforcement officers in the area and instead of picking them up, he accelerated and left Nash and Gray to fend for themselves. Nash and Gray ran into a nearby wooded area and were later apprehended. Mayweather was seen leaving the area of the Bank of Montgomery and was stopped and arrested by law enforcement officers. Gray's purse and a receipt belonging to Nash were found in his vehicle.
Testimony at trial revealed that a glove belonging to Mayweather was found in the parking lot and his DNA was on the glove. Further, Nash and Gray each wore gloves during the robberies which were provided by Mayweather from his place of employment at the time.
Nash and Gray each previously pleaded guilty in this case and agreed to testify about their involvement in the robberies. Nash is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Gray is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
Mayweather faces up to 5 years in prison on the conspiracy count, up to 25 years on the armed bank robbery counts, up to 10 years on the false bomb threat count, and up to a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for August 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.
The FBI, Louisiana State Police, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Fire Marshal conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tennille Gilreath and Robert F. Moody prosecuted the case.
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Shreveport Man Found Guilty by Federal Jury in ShreveportRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Orentha James Pea, 43, of Shreveport, has been convicted by a federal jury on firearms charges, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the two-day jury trial.
Pea was charged on September 25, 2019 with one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Evidence introduced at the trial showed the jury that Pea held a gun to his wife’s head in front of their children and threatened to kill her following an argument between the two of them. Pea was previously convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in 2017 and 2018 related to the domestic abuse battery of his daughter and the violation of his wife’s order of protection. Pea also has felony convictions for aggravated battery in 2005, related to shooting his pregnant wife with a firearm, and aggravated battery in 2014, related to striking his wife with a firearm. Testimony at trial revealed that Pea was commonly known to carry a firearm, despite knowing that he was prohibited from doing so as a convicted felon and a person convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. After threatening to kill his wife, who is the victim in this case, Pea went to a cousin’s house and returned back home later that evening. He locked himself and the victim in their bedroom, took her cell phone from her, and berated her for most of the night.
The next morning when they awoke, the victim was able to get away from Pea and call the police to report the threat that he made to kill her the day before and that he had a gun in his possession. Officers with the Shreveport Police Department responded to their home and conducted a search and found the loaded firearm hidden in the house. Laboratory analysis conducted by the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory determined that Pea’s DNA was present on the grip and slide portion of the firearm. Members of the jury deliberated and returned a guilty verdict on both counts of the indictment.
Pea faces up to 20 years in prison for both counts and up to a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for October 21, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cadesby B. Cooper and Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.
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Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant AnnouncementRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/ LAFAYETTE/ ALEXANDRIA/ LAKE CHARLES/ MONROE, La.– Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook and the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force announced the availability of approximately $154,931 in PSN grant funds for the Western District of Louisiana. The Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, and Bureau of Justice Assistance is seeking applications for funding of a grant under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. At least 30% ($41,831) of the grant funds must be designated for grants under the PSN Program to fund new and/or current gang violence reduction strategies in the Western District. In addition, approximately $97,607 can be designated to fund both new and/or current comprehensive gun crime and gang violence reduction strategies within the Western District.
PSN furthers the Department of Justice=s mission to reduce violent crime by providing support to state, local and tribal efforts to create safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in violent crime and gang violence committed with firearms utilizing prevention, enforcement and intervention methods.
Various types of single or multi‑grantee grant proposals are welcome including those that address the following:
- Gang violence and gun violence reduction, deterrence, prevention, community outreach and education;
- Enforcement, adjudication and supervision programs;
- Prisoner re-entry programs; or
- Other innovative related projects.
Grant proposals must contain the following: (1) Project Abstract, (2) Project Narrative, and (3) Budget Detail Worksheet and Narrative. In addition, the Project Narrative should contain the following subparts: (a) Statement of the Problem, (b) Project Design and Implementation, (c) Gang Task Force Set Aside (if applicable), and (d) Plan for Collecting Data and Determining Performance Measures. To be eligible, grant proposals must be submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATTN: PSN Grant Competition, 800 Lafayette Street, Suite 2200, Lafayette, LA 70501, no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
The FY 2021 PSN Grant Announcement, Grants.gov Opportunity # O-BJA-2021-94005 can be found on the Western District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney’s Office website at: www.justice.gov/usao-wdla. More information about the program can be located at www.psn.gov or www.bja.gov/programs/psn.
Interested applicants may also contact Assistant U.S. Attorney and PSN Coordinator Jamilla A. Bynog at (337) 262-6618 for additional information.
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Federal Jury in Lafayette Returns Guilty Verdict following Week-Long TrialRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – A federal jury seated in Lafayette has returned a guilty verdict against Jarvis Pierre, 38, of Houston, Texas, convicting him on firearms charges following a week-long trial before United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr., announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.
Pierre was charged in a Second Superseding Indictment on April 28, 2021 with two counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Evidence introduced at the trial revealed that Pierre was stopped by law enforcement officers on October 7, 2018 and December 27, 2018 for traffic violations.
On October 7, 2018, deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call outside of the Cloud 9 night club in Lake Charles, Louisiana. When deputies arrived, the crowd began to disburse and many patrons left the parking lot. Deputies observed a vehicle that remained in the parking lot with the driver acting suspiciously. Law enforcement officers followed the vehicle once the driver left the parking lot and observed the vehicle drift from the lane of travel several times and conducted a traffic stop. Pierre was the driver of the vehicle and as deputies approached the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. After a search of Pierre’s person, deputies found large amounts of cash, and a brown, powdery substance which was determined to contain heroin and fentanyl. While searching the vehicle further, deputies found a loaded FN57 handgun under the driver’s seat, as well as a loose 5.7mm round of ammunition, a rolled marijuana cigarette, and a baby bottle containing promethazine. Memo books containing writing that was determined to be prices for different amounts of narcotics with names and addresses were also found in the vehicle. The amount of cash found on Pierre’s person and in the vehicle totaled over $11,000.
When Pierre was stopped by Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies for a traffic violation on December 27, 2018, they found him to have a loaded handgun between the driver’s seat and center console of his vehicle, along with marijuana on his person and in the vehicle, and two cellular phones. Deputies determined at that time that Pierre had an active warrant out of Texas stemming from a traffic stop in February 2018 in Pearland, Texas by officers with the Pearland Police Department. During the Pearland, Texas stop, law enforcement officers found a loaded 9mm handgun, over 400 oxycodone pills and $11,629 in cash, as well as 4 cellular telephones.
Pierre has previous felony convictions for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute (2001); distribution of cocaine (2002); and aggravated assault with a firearm (2013). It is illegal for individuals with a prior felony conviction to possess a firearm or ammunition.
The defendant faces no less than 15 years nor more than life in prison on the two convicted felon in possession of a firearm counts of the indictment, a $250,000 fine, or both. He faces a statutory mandatory minimum of not less than 5 years and up to life on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime count in the indictment, to run consecutive to the other counts.
Sentencing has been set for September 23, 2021 at 10:00.
The ATF and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John W. Nickel and J. Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Former Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy Sentenced for Assaulting InmatesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – A former correctional officer with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office (RPSO), Detention Center 1, in Alexandria, Louisiana, has been sentenced in federal court for violating the civil rights of three inmates in his custody.
Cody Richardson, 31, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 70 months (5 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release. Richardson previously pleaded guilty on May 28, 2020 to three felony counts of using excessive force against pretrial detainees housed at the RPSO facility.
According to court documents and statements made during the hearing, Richardson, while on duty as a correctional officer in 2018, tased three different detainees who were restrained and/or not resisting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242. Specifically, on January 28, 2018, Richardson tased detainee K.F. while K.F. had his hands up, causing him to fall to the ground, then continued to tase K.F. three more times despite the fact that he was not resisting. On February 24, 2018, Richardson drive-stunned detainee S.M. 15-20 times while S.M. was shackled to a bench by his ankles, then, after other officers secured S.M.’s wrists in handcuffs, continued tasing him and kicked him once in the abdomen. Finally, on March 19, 2018, Richardson deployed a Taser into detainee J.A.’s back, causing him to fall to the ground, then sat on top of a table in the cellblock and continued to activate the Taser four more times while J.A. thrashed on the floor, screaming in pain.
“Citizens who are detained by law enforcement officers have a right to be treated with fairness and respect,” said Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “Those in law enforcement who choose to violate the civil rights of those in their custody and control must suffer the consequences of their actions.”
“These kinds of civil rights violations by correctional officers will not be tolerated,” said Pamela S. Karlan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “By perpetrating these blatant and callous assaults on inmates, Richardson abused the authority granted to him as an officer of the law, undermined public trust in law enforcement, and caused harm to individuals whom he had a responsibility to protect. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute officers who violate the civil rights of vulnerable inmates in their care, and ensure that such officers are held accountable.”
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Mary Mudrick of the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Katherine DeVar of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.
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Federal Jury in Lafayette Convicts New Iberia Man of Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – A federal jury in the Western District of Louisiana has found Eric Etienne, 33, of New Iberia, Louisiana, guilty of illegal possession of firearms, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. The two-day jury trial took place in Lafayette before United States District Judge Michael J. Juneau.
Evidence at the trial revealed that on December 18, 2018, officers with the New Iberia Police Department discovered a video on Instagram showing Etienne possessing what appeared to be an AR-15 rifle, two AK-47’s, and a Glock handgun. Law enforcement officers were familiar with Etienne, who is a convicted felon, and were able to determine the location in New Iberia where the video had been taken. Later that day, officers responded to the scene where the video was taken. Upon arrival, Etienne was found standing near a silver sedan which was seen in the video and wearing the same clothes he was wearing in the video. Officers found the AR-15 and Glock handgun in plain view in the sedan. A search of a nearby residence recovered one of the AK-47’s.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment on October 3, 2019 charging Etienne with being a convicted felon in possession of firearms, specifically, the AR-15 rifle, AK-47, and Glock handgun. He was previously convicted of attempted manslaughter in 2006 and is prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
Etienne faces up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for August 13, 2021.
The ATF and New Iberia Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Ayo and Danny Siefker prosecuted the case.
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Shreveport Trauma Surgeon Sentenced for Stealing More than $200,000 in Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that John T. Owings, 60, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 21 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, for stealing Social Security benefits. Owings was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $200,434.70.
Owings, who was formerly the Chief of Trauma at the former LSU Health and Sciences Center in Shreveport (LSUHSC), was convicted by a federal jury in February 2019 of 20 counts of theft of government property and 1 count of concealing or failing to disclose an event affecting right to a government benefit. The United States presented evidence during the trial showing that Owings applied for disability benefits in 2008 and continued to receive those benefits through June of 2017, after returning to work in 2012. When Owings went back to work as a surgeon at the University of California-Davis in 2012, making $22,000 a month, he failed to tell the Social Security Administration (SSA) about his return to work. In 2013, LSUHSC hired Owings as its trauma chief, paying him over $40,000 a month. Owings never disclosed his employment at LSUHSC to the SSA. Instead, Owings took disability insurance benefits throughout his employment at the University of California-Davis and LSUHSC that he was not entitled to. Owings used the benefits to pay for personal expenses and fund his coin collecting hobby.
“Despite being a highly-paid, working trauma surgeon, Dr. Owings took advantage of a program that is designed to benefit those who are in need of assistance due to their inability to work,” Acting U.S. Attorney Van Hook said. “I would like to thank the agents with the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General for doing such an outstanding job on this case and other cases such as this by seeking out those individuals who take advantage of a program designed for the disabled. We will continue to prosecute those who abuse the system in this way.”
The SSA is responsible for the implementation of the Disability Insurance Benefits Program under Title II of the Social Security Act. The SSA provides monetary benefits to individuals who have worked and paid taxes to SSA. To be eligible for monthly cash benefits, individuals must have been deemed medically disabled and must have been unable to maintain gainful employment.
Pursuant to SSA regulations, a claimant must prove to SSA that he or she is disabled by furnishing medical and other evidence with the application. The application and supporting evidence would then be evaluated by SSA to determine the individual’s medical impairments and determine the effect of the impairment on the claimant’s ability to work on a sustained basis. Recipients of Social Security disability insurance benefits are required by federal law to report any changes in their medical or employment status to SSA, including any work activity, whether compensated or not. Eligibility for Disability Insurance Benefits is conditioned on the recipient’s lack of employment income during the period when the disability benefits are paid.
The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Seth D. Reeg and Leon H. Whitten prosecuted the case.
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Alexandria Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. - Derrick Dwayne Thomas, 46, of Alexandria, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 63 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.
On May 6, 2020, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Thomas with possession with intent to distribute heroin and distribution of controlled substances. Thomas appeared in United States District Court on January 8, 2021 and pleaded guilty to the charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin. Evidence at the guilty plea hearing revealed that on January 31, 2020, law enforcement officers in Alexandria, Louisiana executed a search warrant for property on Brooks Boulevard in Alexandria where Thomas resided, as well as Thomas’ vehicle.
A search of Thomas’ vehicle revealed five cellular telephones located near the driver’s seat. During the search of the residence, officers found numerous prescription bottles, which were not prescribed to Thomas or any residents of the home, as well as large sums of cash. Officers also found a lockable Tupperware container inside a small ice chest in a closet and inside the container was a plastic bag containing a brown powder, suspected to be heroin. Thomas admitted to purchasing the heroin which was later tested by a laboratory and confirmed to be heroin with an approximate weight of 477.30 grams.
The FBI, Louisiana State Police, and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel prosecuted the case.
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Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook Recognizes National Police WeekRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La. – In honor of National Police Week, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Sunday, May 9 through Saturday, May 15, 2021.
“Police Week is an opportunity for us to honor our law enforcement officers in Louisiana and across the United States,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “The men and women who serve as law enforcement officers are the unsung heroes in our communities today. They work long hours for little pay and put their lives on the line every single day when they put on their uniform to go out into our communities and serve and protect us as citizens from those who choose to reject the rule of law in our nation. We support and honor these officers who continue to work despite the adversity that they face each day. This week please join me in saying ‘thank you’ to these police officers for their sacrifices and in remembering those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.”
“This week is a time to honor our law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “I am constantly inspired by the extraordinary courage and dedication with which members of law enforcement act each day, putting their lives on the line to make our communities safer. To members of law enforcement and your families: we know that not a single day, nor a single week, is enough to recognize your service and sacrifice. On behalf of the entire Department of Justice, you have our unwavering support and eternal gratitude.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities that they have sworn to serve.
During the Roll Call of Heroes, a ceremony coordinated by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), more than 300 officers will be honored. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), of the law enforcement officers who died nationwide in the line of duty in 2020, nearly 60 percent succumbed to COVID-19. Here in the Western District of Louisiana, six officers died in the line of duty. The officers who lost their lives are as follows:
- Donna Michelle Richardson-Below with the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office died on February 12, 2020 in an automobile crash while on duty;
- Kejuane Artez Bates with the Vidalia Police Department died on April 1, 2020 from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty;
- Kevin Paul Trahan with the Church Point Police Department died on July 31, 2020 after contracting COVID-19 during a confirmed exposure at the Church Point Police Department building on June 26, 2020;
- Claude Winston Guillory with the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office died on August 4, 2020 from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in a presumed exposure while on duty;
- Randy Michael Vallot with the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office died on September 23, 2020 after contracting COVID-19 as the result of a confirmed exposure during an outbreak within the agency; and
- Marshall Lee Waters, Jr. with the Mangham Police Department died on November 5, 2020 as the result of a gunshot wound sustained during a traffic stop near the Franklin/Richland Parish border.
According to statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 46 law enforcement officers died as a result of felonious acts and 47 died in accidents in 2020. LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website.
The names of the 394 fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Thursday, May 13, 2021, during a Virtual Candlelight Vigil, which will be livestreamed to the public at 7:00 pm CST. The Police Week in-person public events, originally scheduled for May, have been rescheduled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns to October 13-17, 2021. An in-person Candlelight Vigil event is scheduled for October 14, 2021.
To learn more about National Police Week, please visit www.policeweek.org.
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Search of Shreveport Residence Exposes Illegal Possession of Drugs and FirearmRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Treveon T. Carter, 25, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 74 months (6 years, 2 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm.
On January 24, 2019, law enforcement agents searched Carter’s home in Shreveport and found marijuana, oxycodone, 20 containers of suspected THC, a digital scale and packaging material, cash, and a loaded firearm. Carter admitted to agents that the loaded firearm and drug evidence belonged to him.
Carter has a prior felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute narcotics in 2017 and knew that it was illegal for him to possess a firearm.
The ATF and Shreveport/Caddo Street Level Interdiction Unit conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Former Shreveport Police Department Officer Indicted for Assaulting an ArresteeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela S. Karlan of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and FBI New Orleans Acting Special Agent in Charge Daniel R. Genck, announced that a federal grand jury in Shreveport has returned an indictment charging former Shreveport Police Department officer Dylan Hudson, 34, of Shreveport, with assaulting an arrestee in Caddo Parish. The indictment charges Hudson with willfully depriving an individual of his right to be free from the use of unreasonable force during an arrest.
The indictment alleges that on August 5, 2019, Hudson, while acting in his official capacity as an officer of the Shreveport Police Department, used unreasonable force against an arrestee by punching him in the face and head, kneeing him in the stomach, tasing him in the neck and head, pistol-whipping him in the head, slamming his head into the ground, and kicking him in the face. The indictment further alleges that Hudson’s assault caused bodily injury to the arrestee, and that the assault involved the use of dangerous weapons (a Taser, a pistol, and a shod foot).
Hudson made his initial appearance in the Western District of Louisiana today and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, Hudson faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick and DOJ Civil Rights Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson.
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Ten Individuals Charged with Disaster Assistance FraudRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury has returned ten separate indictments charging ten individuals with fraudulently applying for disaster benefits from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is a department of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
In August 2016, severe flooding impacted south Louisiana and a Presidential Disaster Declaration was issued on August 14, 2016 under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The incident period covered August 11, 2016 through August 31, 2016. FEMA was authorized to provide transportation assistance for repair or replacement of a primary vehicle damaged by the disaster.
The indictments allege that on certain dates between September 22, 2016 and November 14, 2016 each of the defendants, acting in concert with others, made false statements and representations to FEMA in an application for transportation benefits and provided certain documentation required by FEMA to process the claim in connection with the Presidential Disaster Declaration for the Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding. Each application for Disaster Assistance was submitted on behalf of each defendant claiming their vehicle sustained flood damage in Iberia and Lafayette Parishes in Louisiana, when each of them was a resident of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, which was not included as a designated parish for assistance.
The indictments further allege that each defendant submitted a signed letter to FEMA stating the subject vehicle belonged to the defendant, was their only means of transportation, and was no longer operable. In each case, the repair estimates submitted by each defendant, which ranged from $6,291 to 8,736, were all from repair shops that did not exist. A list of the defendants and the charges they face are as follows:
Defendant Name
Charges
Brittany Nicole Hawkins, 29,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Shannan Latreice Johnson, 45,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Tasha Jesse Louis, 39,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Jarnell Wayne Payne, a/k/a Jernell W. Payne, 43,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Kevin Callery, 54,
Baldwin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Leo Green, Jr., 55,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Robert Joseph Johnson, Jr., 33,
Patterson, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Derrick Shawn Kirt, 44,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Jarmaine Scott Thomas, Jr., 25,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Johnathan D. Wilson, 38,
Franklin, Louisiana
- Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
- Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
- Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If you have any information to report concerning potential FEMA fraud, please call the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721.
This investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/MONROE/LAKE CHARLES, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, celebrating victims’ rights, protections, and services this week. This year is the 40th anniversary of the observance and will be celebrated April 18-24, 2021. The theme is: “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.”
“Crime has affected many of us, whether individually or through a family member, friend, or neighbor,” Van Hook stated. “Our office remains steadfast in our commitment to seek justice for victims of crime by prosecuting those who have victimized others and to provide support for crime victims throughout the legal process. This week is a great reminder to each of us to celebrate, honor and support those who have suffered as victims of crime.”
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to renew our commitment to serving victims of crime, acknowledge achievements made in the victim services field, and remember crime victims and survivors. During the week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. This year, many communities are organizing virtual gatherings and online public awareness campaigns.
Some 3.3 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime in 2018, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory.
Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund, which is made up of federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures.
Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims.
Each year, the National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony is held to honor individuals, teams, and organizations for their vision, action, and leadership on behalf of crime victims. This year’s ceremony will be held virtually on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. EST. Visit https://ovc.ojp.gov/news/announcement/its-national-crime-victims-rights-week to learn more about this year’s ceremony and other activities offered this week.
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East Texas Individuals Guilty in Postal Crime SpreeRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – Two individuals have pleaded guilty to their involvement in postal offenses in Texas and Louisiana, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Paul Kennedy, 39, of Henderson, Texas, pleaded guilty to burglary of a United States post office; possession of stolen mail; possession of stolen money orders; damage to government property; theft of government property; and access device fraud today before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell. Angela Moore, 37, of Longview, Texas, previously pleaded guilty to possession of stolen mail on March 4, 2021.
According to information presented in court, between the afternoon of Dec. 23, 2019 and the morning of Dec. 26, 2019, Kennedy burglarized post offices in Price, Texas; Bronson, Texas; Bon Wier, Texas; and Evans, Louisiana. He attempted to burglarize post offices in Newton, Texas, and Singer, Louisiana. At each location he burglarized, Kennedy stole mail, packages, and property belonging to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). At the Price, Texas, and Bronson, Texas, post offices, Kennedy was able to gain access to the safes and steal money as well as USPS money orders. Moore accompanied Kennedy during the Price burglary and the Newton attempted burglary. Later, on Dec. 27, 2019, Kennedy attempted to use a debit card that he stole during the Evans burglary at the Margaritaville Casino in Shreveport, Louisiana.
“While the rest of us celebrated the Christmas season with our families and friends, these defendants pillaged, plundered, rifled, and looted post offices across East Texas and into Louisiana,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Thanks to the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners, post offices have been secured, and the defendants have been brought to justice.”
Kennedy and Moore were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas on June 18, 2020. Kennedy was also indicted by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Louisiana on June 17, 2020. Under federal statutes, Kennedy faces up to 10 years in federal prison and Moore faces up to five years. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) with the assistance of the Louisiana State Police, the Rusk County Sheriff's Office, the Sabine County Sheriff's Office, the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Henderson Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld for the Eastern District of Texas and Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel for the Western District of Louisiana.
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Shreveport Man Convicted of Firearms Charge Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Jawon Montray Grant, 32, of Shreveport, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 42 months (3 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of firearm by a convicted felon. Grant pleaded guilty to the charge on November 19, 2020.
According to information presented to the court at the guilty plea hearing, Louisiana State Police troopers observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation on May 31, 2019 and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped abruptly in the middle of the street and the driver, later determined to be Grant, exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Law enforcement officers gave chase and observed Grant throw a black object to the ground behind a residence. Officers went to that location and found the object was a loaded pistol with an extended magazine. There were other passengers in the vehicle that Grant abandoned, including three small children. The owner of the vehicle was contacted and came to the scene and told officers that she allowed Grant to use the vehicle. Grant was later arrested and charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Grant has previous felony convictions in Caddo Parish for simple burglary in 2017 and attempted possession of a firearm by a felon in 2018.
The ATF and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Keithville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Danny Ray Marable, 64, of Keithville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 70 months (5 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for receipt of child pornography.
Marable pleaded guilty on October 8, 2020 to receipt of child pornography. Evidence presented at the hearing revealed that in October 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received information from MeWe, an online social media and social networking service, that indicated a user uploaded images depicting child pornography including bondage. FBI agents began their investigation to determine who the MeWe user was and learned that it was Marable. On April 22, 2020, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on his residence and agents took possession of items including a cellphone and flash drive belonging to Marable. He admitted to agents that the email address used by the MeWe user did in fact belong to him.
After a forensic analysis of the seized items, law enforcement agents discovered that Marable received a video containing child pornography in December 2019. In addition to receiving the video, Marable received over 100 images and over 50 videos of child pornography involving prepubescent minors and/or minors under the age of 12 on his cell phone and flash drive. The videos and images specifically depicted children under the age of 12 being sexually exploited.
The FBI, U.S. Marshal’s Service, and Bossier City Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath prosecuted the case.
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Drug Conspiracy Defendant Sentenced to 16 + Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Roderick Dewaine Hogan, 39, of Plain Dealing, Louisiana was sentenced today by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 200 months (16 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on a drug conspiracy charge.
On July 17, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Hogan and others with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine after an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) into drug trafficking activities in the Plain Dealing and Springhill areas of Louisiana. Hogan pleaded guilty to the charge on October 22, 2019.
During their investigation, DEA agents learned that Hogan received a phone call on November 30, 2018 from Damione Brock, his co-conspirator, who was a prisoner at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. During the phone call, Brock asked Hogan to put together a package of methamphetamine to be delivered to Angola. Brock told Hogan that he had a girl who would pick up the methamphetamine in Alexandria if another co-conspirator, Marvin Beck, could deliver it to her. Hogan provided the narcotics to Beck and allowed him to drive Hogan’s vehicle to deliver the narcotics to the girl, who was later identified as Keisarah McGee, another co-conspirator. McGee was a correctional officer at Angola during this time.
On December 2, 2018, DEA agents surveilled the transportation of the methamphetamine, which was hidden in fake soda cans and was driven by Beck from Bossier City to Alexandria. Beck put the package into McGee’s vehicle, who then took the methamphetamine hidden in fake soda cans with the plan to take them with her into Angola when reporting for work. DEA agents alerted Louisiana Department of Corrections investigators to expect the female officer to try and enter the facility with the hidden narcotics. Agents were able to stop her at the gate at Angola and search the vehicle and found the methamphetamine and seized it prior to her entry into the facility.
The DEA conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
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Justice Department Reaches Agreement with the City of West Monroe under the Voting Rights ActRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. - The Justice Department announced today that it has entered into a proposed consent decree to settle a voting rights lawsuit with the City of West Monroe, Louisiana. The Justice Department’s lawsuit, brought under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, challenges the current at-large method of electing the West Monroe Board of Aldermen. Under this agreement, the City of West Monroe will change its method of electing its Board of Aldermen to ensure compliance with the protections of the Voting Rights Act.
The proposed consent decree was filed in federal court in conjunction with a lawsuit brought by the Justice Department. The department’s complaint alleges that the current method of electing the West Monroe Board of Aldermen results in black citizens in West Monroe having less opportunity than white citizens to participate in the political process and to elect candidates of their choice, in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Although black residents comprise nearly 30% of the electorate, no black candidate has ever been elected to the West Monroe Board of Aldermen. The complaint does not allege that the current method of election was adopted or maintained with discriminatory intent.
The department gave notice to the City of West Monroe of its intent to bring suit under the Voting Rights Act on March 4, and the parties worked collaboratively to achieve this agreement. Under the parties’ consent decree—and subject to approval by the federal district court in Louisiana—West Monroe will discontinue use of its current at-large method of electing the five members of its Board of Aldermen. Beginning with the next municipal election, currently scheduled for March 26, 2022, three members of the Board of Aldermen will be elected from single-member districts and two members will be elected at-large. The agreement also provides West Monroe will publicize the new method of election.
“The Voting Rights Act remains a vital tool to ensure that underrepresented citizens have a fair chance to choose their representatives,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela S. Karlan for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We appreciate that the City of West Monroe has worked diligently and cooperatively with the Department to adopt a solution that provides all the City’s citizens with an equal opportunity to participate in the political process and elect aldermen of their choice.”
“We join the Civil Rights Division in bringing this important lawsuit under the Voting Rights Act and appreciate that the City of West Monroe has worked with the Justice Department to adopt a solution that brings about fair representation,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook of the Western District of Louisiana.
More information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting rights laws is available on the Justice Department website at https:www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section.
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Angola Inmate Found Guilty on Drug Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Damione Brock, 42, was found guilty yesterday by a federal jury of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial.
Evidence introduced at the two-day trial revealed that in 2018, law enforcement agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into drug trafficking activities in the Plain Dealing and Springhill areas of Louisiana. During their investigation, DEA agents sought approval to use wiretaps and were able to intercept phone calls and text messages between Brock and one of his co-defendants wherein they discussed having methamphetamine delivered to Brock at Angola. Brock, who was serving a lengthy sentence at Angola for possession of cocaine, was using a contraband cell phone to communicate with his co-defendant. Brock had arranged for the methamphetamine to be brought to him at Angola, using two couriers, one which was a female who worked at the prison as a corrections officer.
DEA agents surveilled the transportation of the methamphetamine, which was hidden in fake soda cans and was driven from Bossier City to Alexandria by one of Brock’s co-defendant/couriers. The courier put the package into the female officer/co-defendant’s vehicle, who then took the methamphetamine hidden in fake soda cans with the plan to take them with her into Angola when reporting for work. DEA agents alerted Louisiana Department of Corrections investigators to expect the female officer to try and enter the facility with the hidden narcotics. Agents were able to stop her at the gate at Angola and search the vehicle and found the methamphetamine and seized it prior to her entry into the facility.
Brock faces 10 years to life in prison and up to a $10,000,000 fine on the drug charge. Sentencing is set for August 18, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.
The DEA conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
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WDLA News Round-Up for the Week of April 5, 2021Read the Press Release
LAFAYETTE/MONROE/SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced the resolution of numerous cases this week in United States District Court in the Western District of Louisiana, all of which are listed below.
SENTENCING HEARING – LAFAYETTE
Eric J. Richard, 42, of Ville Platte, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 71 months (6 years, 11 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute cocaine.
Richard was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2018 charging him with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The charges in the indictment stemmed from an incident on October 25, 2017, when a Louisiana State Trooper conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Richard was driving on Interstate 10 in Calcasieu Parish. During the stop, a law enforcement canine performed a sniff around the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics. Troopers searched Richard’s vehicle and found a white powdery substance, believed to be cocaine, inside a duffel bag belonging to Richard. The only other items inside the bag were a small set of scales and one shirt. The suspected cocaine was sent to the laboratory for analysis and it was confirmed that the substance found was 1,060 grams of cocaine.
The FBI and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
SENTENCING HEARING – MONROE
Dustin Jamond Savoie, 34, of Choudrant, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 180 months (15 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking and firearms charges. On January 17, 2020, Louisiana State Troopers observed a vehicle exceeding the speed limit near Ruston, Louisiana, activated his emergency lights and attempted to pull the driver over. The driver fled from officers and accelerated to a speed of over 110 mph. Once forced to stop, troopers deployed a police dog to remove the driver, who was identified as Savoie, from the vehicle. Troopers found inside Savoie’s vehicle a backpack containing a large amount of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia, as well as a loaded semi-automatic pistol. Further investigation revealed the firearm had been reported stolen in Lincoln Parish.
Savoie has prior felony convictions for distribution of marijuana (2011); possession of a controlled substance (2014); simple escape (2016); unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (2017); attempted possession of contraband in a penal institution (2017); and possession of controlled substances (2017) and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The ATF and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody prosecuted the case.
SENTENCING HEARINGS – SHREVEPORT, LA
United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced the following individuals this week:
Claiborne Wayne Williams, 51, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 72 months (6 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on firearms charges. On November 13, 2019, Shreveport Police Department officers executed a search warrant at a room at the Royal Inn in Shreveport where Williams was present. When officers searched the room, they discovered several documents addressed to Williams, which were found near a revolver. Williams has prior felony convictions for conspiracy to launder drug proceeds and aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute cocaine in Mississippi, and possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II CDS in Caddo Parish.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody prosecuted the case.
Jamarion Deandre Young, 29, of Shreveport, was sentenced to a total of 156 months (13 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking and firearms charges. On November 24, 2019 around 1:00 a.m., Shreveport Police Department officers observed a vehicle with no lights on traveling on Mansfield Road in Shreveport. Officers initiated a stop of the vehicle and made contact with the driver, who was Jamarion Young. Officers observed a pill bottle on the floorboard and asked Young to verify the pills were prescribed to him, which he could not. The pill bottle was retrieved and inside was suspected ecstasy pills. Young was placed in handcuffs and after being advised of his Miranda rights, stated there was no other contraband in the vehicle. However, officers observed a black bag in the back seat which contained marijuana, small clear baggies, and a digital scale, as well as other small bags with marijuana on the back seat of the vehicle. A loaded handgun was also found under the seat which came back as stolen out of Oklahoma. After a lab analysis, it was determined the ecstasy pills contained methamphetamine.
A federal grand jury indicted Young in August 2020 and he subsequently pleaded guilty on December 11, 2020 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug trafficking crime. Young’s prior felony convictions are for possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I controlled substance in Caddo Parish (2009); unauthorized use of a movable in Caddo Parish (2011); aggravated flight from an officer in Caddo Parish (2013); and illegal use of a weapon (2015).
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.
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Sabine Parish Man Found Guilty by Federal Jury in ShreveportRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Dillon Merritt, 53, of Many, Louisiana, has been convicted by a federal jury in the Western District of Louisiana on firearms charges. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial.
After a full day of trial and evidence being introduced, a federal jury deliberated and found Merritt guilty yesterday on both counts in the indictment. Evidence introduced at trial revealed that law enforcement officers with the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, learned that Merritt, who has several felony convictions, had firearms in his possession. On January 12, 2018, law enforcement officers arrested Merritt on a warrant based on his illegal possession of a firearm and on May 22, 2019, he was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Louisiana and charged with two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Merritt has a lengthy criminal history, including felony convictions for cruelty to juveniles (2003), aggravated domestic battery (2010), and possession of methamphetamine (2015).
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison for both counts and up to a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for August 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.
The ATF and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cadesby B. Cooper and Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Jury Trial in Federal Court Ends with Guilty VerdictRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal jury in the Western District of Louisiana has returned a guilty verdict against Dale Wayne Green, Jr., 39, of Shreveport, on drug trafficking and firearms charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial.
After a full day of trial testimony, the jury began their deliberations yesterday afternoon and came back with a verdict finding Green guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Evidence presented at the trial revealed that on June 11, 2019, the Shreveport/Caddo Narcotics Task Force received information that illegal narcotics were being sold at a residence on Harrison Street in Shreveport. Law enforcement agents began conducting surveillance and observed multiple vehicles parked in and around the residence, as well as suspicious activity by individuals visiting the residence.
Law enforcement approached the residence and observed Green drop an item on the ground and walk away from the area to the rear of a vehicle in the driveway. Agents later discovered the dropped item to be cocaine in a sandwich bag which contained individually wrapped packaged bags containing cocaine. Green also had a large amount of cash and car keys in his pocket that went to a car parked across the street. A K-9 officer conducted a sniff search of the vehicle and the K-9 officer alerted to the presence of narcotics. Green gave consent to search the vehicle and agents found a loaded handgun in the console. Also found in the car were numerous personal documents belonging to Green. His previous felony conviction was for manslaughter in Caddo Parish in 2002. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.
Green faces up to 20 years in prison and up to a $1,000,000 fine on the drug charge, and up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the firearm charge. Sentencing is set for August 5, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.
The ATF, Shreveport Police Department and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon B. Brown and Mike T. Shannon prosecuted the case.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Crowley Man Sentenced on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Alex Simien, Jr., 42, of Crowley, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Michael J. Juneau to 135 months (11 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Simien was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 20, 2020 for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. He pleaded guilty to the charge in U.S. District Court on October 23, 2020. Evidence introduced at the hearing revealed that law enforcement agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) began an investigation into distribution of the dangerous drug, crystal methamphetamine, in the Acadiana area. During their investigation, DEA agents determined that Simien was a source of supply for crystal methamphetamine in the area.
On April 27, 2019, officers from the Crowley Police Department responded to a disturbance call on North Avenue. During the call, law enforcement officers cleared a bedroom and found a male subject laying on the floor with his hands out under the bed. Officers ordered the male to stay on the ground and while conducting a pat down of Simien’s outer clothing, the officer saw the handle of a pistol where Simien’s hands were previously located. The officer secured the weapon and also found an open black bag under the bed and observed a large amount of a white crystalline substance, consistent with methamphetamine and seized the narcotics. A laboratory analysis of the white crystalline substance confirmed that it was methamphetamine.
The DEA and Crowley Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.
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Settlement Reached Between U.S. Department of Labor and Local Employer in Suit Enforcing Final Orders under Surface Transportation Assistance ActRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that D.G. Construction and Hauling, LLC and the U.S. Department of Labor, with DOJ local counsel, have reached a settlement of a civil action filed on August 5, 2020 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana seeking to enforce administrative orders against D.G. Construction and Hauling, LLC, and its owner, Brett Deshotels (“Defendants”), in Lafayette, Louisiana, for violations of employee protection provisions of the Surface Transportation and Assistance Act.
The Secretary’s orders found Defendants liable for firing its employee truck driver in retaliation for reporting equipment defects and refusing to drive due to safety concerns, and had awarded reinstatement, back pay and interest, $5,000 in compensatory damages, and $10,000 in punitive damages to the truck driver, as well as an order for $26,568.27 in attorney’s fees to his trial counsel. As Defendants had failed to fully comply with the final orders to compensate the truck driver, as ordered, the enforcement action was filed against Defendants.
This settlement is the result of a coordinated effort by U.S. Department of Labor Trial Attorneys Felix Marquez and Mary Cobb and Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Brown.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of 25 whistleblower statutes protecting employees from retaliation for reporting violations of various workplace safety and health, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, securities and tax laws, and for engaging in other related protected activities. More information on OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program is available at: https://www.whistleblowers.gov/
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. To learn more about OSHA visit the website: https://www.osha.gov/
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Two Louisiana College Students Charged with Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Hayden Philip Breaux, 21, of Houma, Louisiana and D’Quincy Marquis Jones, 23, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, have both been charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury with one count of conspiracy to commit identity theft and five counts of identity theft.
The indictment alleges that Breaux and Jones were involved in a fraudulent scheme to obtain emergency financial aid grants offered to colleges as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, which was passed by the U.S. Congress in March 2020. As part of the CARES Act, funds were given to the Office of Postsecondary Education as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana was an institution of higher learning allotted emergency funding for its students.
It is alleged in the indictment that between June 5, 2020 and June 20, 2020, Breaux and Jones conspired to fraudulently obtain CARES Act funds for their own use. Breaux and Jones and other members of the conspiracy used personally identifiable information (“PII”), specifically, the Louisiana College Student Identification Numbers and passwords of other students to access the Louisiana College Online Student Portal (“the Portal”) to apply for CARES Act emergency financial aid grants in the names of individuals and direct the grants to specific bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy. In total, members of this conspiracy used, without lawful authority, the Louisiana College Student Identification Numbers and passwords of nine individuals to access the Portal, to apply for, and direct payment of CARES Act emergency financial aid from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI and U.S. Department of Education – Office of Inspector General are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.
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Minden Tax Preparer Indicted on Tax Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal grand jury in Shreveport has returned an indictment charging Deborah Cooksey, 56, of Minden, Louisiana, with filing false tax returns, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced.
Cooksey is the owner and operator of Cooksey’s Tax and Notary Services, LLC, in Minden, Louisiana, with her primary business being the preparation and electronic filing of individual income tax returns. The indictment charges Cooksey with two counts of making and subscribing a false tax return. It is alleged in the indictment that on two occasions, on or about April 15, 2015 and February 11, 2016, Cooksey created and filed her U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, Form 1040, for calendar years 2013 and 2014.
The indictment alleges that Cooksey’s federal income tax return for calendar year 2013 reported gross receipts and sales in the amount of $522,662 from her tax preparation services business for the calendar year 2013, when in fact she knew and believed that the gross sales and receipts for the calendar year 2013 were substantially higher than the amount reported.
It is further alleged in the indictment that Cooksey’s federal income tax return for calendar year 2014 reported gross receipts and sales in the amount of $459,361 from her tax preparation services business for the calendar year 2014, when in fact she knew and believed that the gross sales and receipts for the calendar year 2014 were substantially higher than the amount reported.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Internal Revenue Service is conducting the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick is prosecuting the case.
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Heroin and Methamphetamine Traffickers Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that two men have been sentenced in the Western District of Louisiana for trafficking heroin and methamphetamine.
LAFAYETTE, La. - Blandon Richard a/k/a Blandon Todd Bessard, 45, of Kaplan, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Michael J. Juneau to 90 months (7 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. Richard was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2019 on the charge and he pleaded guilty November 4, 2020. The charges in the indictment stemmed from an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Richard and his co-defendants in the Lafayette area beginning in January 2019. Law enforcement agents obtained authority to intercept cell phone calls of Richard’s co-defendant. During the course of their investigation, agents overheard Richard on phone calls on multiple occasions between he and his co-defendant wherein Richard discussed obtaining heroin to redistribute to other people for profit.
In February 2019, law enforcement agents intercepted phone calls from Richard to his co-defendant making arrangements to obtain heroin from him. Agents conducting physical surveillance observed Richard go to the co-defendant’s house and come out a short time later. Surveillance of Richard’s vehicle continued and after committing a traffic violation, officers with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office stopped the vehicle. Officers observed in plain view in the ashtray of the vehicle a baggie which contained what appeared to be a controlled substance. At that time, officers retrieved the controlled substance and put Richard in handcuffs and advised him of his Miranda rights. An occupant in the vehicle with Richard was also handcuffed and advised of her Miranda rights. She admitted to law enforcement officers that when they were stopped by law enforcement, Richard told her to hide the baggie containing what was thought to be a controlled substance and she put in her pants. She retrieved the drugs and officers seized it. The substance in the bag weighing approximately 11.6 grams was later field-tested and was determined to be heroin.
The FBI and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
MONROE, La. – John Allen Whitaker, 49, of West Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 96 months (8 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Whitaker was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 18, 2019 and he later pleaded guilty to the charge on November 4, 2020. The charge stems from a traffic stop conducted by a Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy on August 15, 2019. Whitaker was stopped for a traffic violation and during the stop, deputies found that he possessed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Deputies arrested Whitaker and after a voluntary waiver of his Miranda rights, he admitted that the methamphetamine belonged to him.
The DEA and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon prosecuted the case.
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Lafayette Man Indicted for Attempted Murder of Gay Man and Plot to Kidnap and Murder Other Gay MenRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - A federal grand jury in Lafayette, Louisiana, has returned a six-count indictment charging Chance J. Seneca, 19, of Lafayette, with hate crime, kidnapping, firearm, and obstruction charges based on his attempted murder of a gay man and his overarching scheme to kidnap and murder gay men whom he met online.
The indictment was announced today by Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook for the Western District of Louisiana, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pam Karlan for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Bryan Vorndran.
The indictment alleges that on June 19 and 20, 2020, Seneca attempted to kidnap one man and successfully kidnapped two other men through his use of Grindr, a dating application for gay and bisexual men. The indictment further alleges that the defendant attempted to murder one of these men because of his gender and sexual orientation, and that the defendant intended to dismember and keep parts of the victim’s body as trophies, mementos, and food. The indictment further alleges that Seneca possessed a firearm in furtherance of the hate crime, and that he tried to cover up his actions by deleting communications between himself and the victim of the attempted murder.
The statutory maximum for the hate crime, kidnapping, and firearm offenses is life imprisonment. The statutory maximum for the attempted kidnapping and obstruction offenses is 20 years. The statutory minimum for the gun charge is five years.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI is conducting the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert C. Abendroth of the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
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St. Martinville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Anthony Sal Melancon, Jr., 48, of St. Martinville, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Michael J. Juneau to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for distribution of child pornography.
A federal grand jury in Lafayette returned an indictment on August 21, 2019 charging Melancon with child pornography offenses. Melancon pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography on December 14, 2020. Evidence introduced at the hearing established that while in a sexual relationship with a woman, Melancon discussed with her his desire to have sex with a minor girl and he asked the woman if she would agree to have sex with Melancon and a minor girl. On January 21, 2017, Melancon sent the woman a pornographic image over the internet of a prepubescent girl that he claimed he had performed sexual acts upon. Melancon began asking the woman to send pictures of her minor daughter to him. The woman’s husband found the communications on the woman’s laptop and contacted law enforcement. A search warrant was executed and Melancon admitted to law enforcement agents that he sent the child pornography images over the internet.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
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Drug Trafficker from Ringgold, Louisiana Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that James Coleman, 44, of Ringgold, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 132 months (11 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Coleman was involved in a drug trafficking organization that was selling illegal narcotics and was charged in a federal indictment with drug offenses. The investigation that led to these charges began in January 2017. Law enforcement agents learned that Coleman and others were distributing and possessing methamphetamine and crack cocaine. Their investigation revealed that Coleman purchased illegal narcotics from other co-conspirators and then distributed them to various individuals in and around the Ringgold, Louisiana area.
During the investigation, law enforcement agents obtained authority to intercept phone calls on a cell phone belonging to a co-defendant. On several occasions, agents intercepted phone calls wherein Coleman discussed drug trafficking. Agents also conducted controlled purchases of narcotics from Coleman between January 1, 2017 and June 2018. Each purchase took place in the Ringgold area and was video and audio recorded. The narcotics purchased during the controlled buys were sent to the lab for analysis and it was determined that Coleman sold 9.3 grams of crack cocaine and 125.74 grams of pure methamphetamine.
The FBI and members of its Northwest Louisiana Violent Crime Task Force, which included officers from the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison L. Duncan prosecuted the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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