Western District of Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal grand jury returned indictments yesterday charging two former United States Postal Service employees, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced.  

Shinice Jordan, 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been charged with one count of theft of mail matter and one count of delay or destruction of mail. According to the indictment, on July 23, 2019, Jordan, who worked as a Letter Carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, stole a Walmart gift card from a letter which had been entrusted to her to deliver. It is further alleged that on that same date, Jordan delayed the opening of the letter which was intended to be delivered by her as an employee of the U.S. Postal Service.

Sedarius Howard, 33, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been charged with one count of delay or destruction of mail. The indictment alleges that on March 16, 2020, while working as a Letter Carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, Howard destroyed or delayed delivery of mail that was his duty as an employee to deliver.

If convicted, both Jordan and Howard face up to 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody is prosecuting the cases.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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            The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

ALEXANDRIA/LAFAYETTE/SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that three convicted felons have been sentenced in United States District Court for illegal possession of firearms.

Breaux Bridge Man with Lengthy Criminal History Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Firearm

Nacorvrick Green a/k/a “G-Nate,” 41, of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to 180 months (15 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Green previously pled guilty to the charge on December 2, 2019.

Lafayette Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle Green was driving on June 13, 2018.  Officers found a loaded semi-automatic pistol in the vehicle and arrested Green, who is a convicted felon. Prior to his arrest, Green had seven felony convictions for drug trafficking. Under federal law, it is it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

The ATF, Lafayette Police Department and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Vermaelen and Jamilla A. Bynog prosecuted the case.

Shreveport Man Sentenced for Drug and Firearms Crimes

Jerrick Stephenson, 28, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 78 months (6 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Stephenson pled guilty to the charge on September 6, 2019.

Stephenson was stopped by Shreveport Police Department officers for a traffic infraction on July 28, 2018. Stephenson attempted to flee on foot from law enforcement officers but was apprehended a short distance away and arrested. Officers found a pistol and two loaded magazines under the driver’s seat of the vehicle he was operating. Also inside the vehicle were 130 grams of marijuana and a digital scale with marijuana residue.  Stephenson was previously convicted of possession of controlled dangerous substances in 2014 and knew that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition because of his prior felony conviction.

The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cadesby B. Cooper prosecuted the case.

Alexandria Man Sentenced on Federal Firearms Charges

Malcolm Xavier Williams, 29, of Alexandria, Louisiana, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to 15 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Williams was also ordered to pay a $7,000 fine. He pled guilty to the charge on March 5, 2020.

On February 21, 2019, Alexandria Police Department officers responded to a call on Aguillard Lane in Alexandria. Upon their arrival, officers found Williams, who had outstanding active warrants, and placed him under arrest. During a search incident to the arrest, officers found the key to a vehicle that was parked and running nearby in Williams’ pocket. Inside that vehicle, officers found a loaded black handgun on the driver’s side floorboard. Before his arrest on February 21, 2019, Williams, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior conviction for illegally carrying a weapon in 2017. At the time of arrest, Williams knew his status as a convicted felon.

The ATF and the Alexandria Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.

Each of these cases was brought as part of Project Guardian and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), programs that have been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging William Earl Maddox, 72, of Haynesville, Louisiana, with selling and misbranding illegal supplements online and in stores. Maddox has been charged with two counts of mail fraud, three counts of misbranding of a drug with intent to defraud or deceive, and seven counts of wire fraud.

According to the indictment, from around January 1, 2015 and continuing until about December 31, 2018, Maddox, the elected Constable in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, sold supplements in capsules in stores and on eBay and websites that he operated, advertising them to be all-natural herbal supplements to treat impotence.  

The indictment alleges that Maddox obtained green capsules in unlabeled blister packs in the mail from foreign countries, including China, which contained sildenafil, the active ingredient in the prescription drug Viagra; tadalafil, the active ingredient in the prescription drug Cialis; and testosterone propinionate, an anabolic steroid and a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance. It is alleged that Maddox had the capsules repackaged and advertised them to contain all natural ingredients but the labeling did not reveal that the capsules contained sildenafil, tadalifil, or testosterone propinionate.

The indictment further alleges that when customers purchased these products, payment was made to the PayPal business account for Middle Marketing, LLC, which was Maddox’s company. Maddox would then ship the capsules to customers via the United States Postal Service and transfer the funds generated from the sale of the products from the PayPal account to his Middle Marketing bank account.

If convicted, the defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on the mail and wire fraud counts and up to 3 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on the misbranding of a drug with intent to defraud or deceive counts in the indictment.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and Earl M. Campbell are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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            The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Brien Keith Powell, 51, of Shreveport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter. Powell was sentenced to 168 months for Possession of Crack Cocaine, and 60 months for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime, for a total of 228 months in prison (19 years), followed by 5 years of supervised release. Powell pleaded guilty to the charges on January 10, 2020.

On March 28, 2018, officers with the Caddo/Shreveport Narcotics Task Force obtained a search warrant of Brien Keith Powell’s residence and property. Upon execution of the search warrant, officers found drug paraphernalia and a revolver in the residence. Officers also found powder and crack cocaine, ecstasy, a digital scale, another handgun and ammunition in Powell’s vehicle. Powell had over $1,500 in cash in his pocket.

After Powell was arrested by officers, he admitted that all of the narcotics and firearms belonged to him and that he was selling the narcotics to make a living. Further investigation by law enforcement revealed that the firearms had both been reported stolen. The North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory analyzed the narcotics and determined the drugs to be 38.34 grams of cocaine base, crack cocaine.

Powell has a lengthy criminal history, having been convicted of aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon (1986 and 1990), possession of narcotics (1990), Second Degree Kidnapping (1994), Armed Robbery (1995), Felon in Possession of Firearm (2000), Possession of a Controlled Substance (2007) and Possession of Counterfeit (2014).

The ATF and Caddo/Shreveport Narcotics Task Force conducted the investigation and Assistant United States Attorney Tennille Gilreath prosecuted the case.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – The Northwest Louisiana Human Trafficking Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and non-governmental organizations, and was formed in an effort to promote enhanced collaboration between all agencies involved in combatting human trafficking cases in our area. This Task Force has launched a campaign to fight sexual predator cases called “Project R.I.S.K.,” Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced.

Members of the Task Force have noticed a disturbing trend in the rise of sexual predator cases in the Western District of Louisiana. Because of this trend, the Task Force has launched “Project R.I.S.K.” (Reliable Internet Safety for Kids).

Since March 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has pushed our youth to be on the internet more than ever before. Today, the internet not only entertains and connects our youth with their peers, but a vast majority of them are using the internet for virtual schooling. The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office has reported a 200% increase in online sexual predator cases since the beginning of the pandemic. This increase in internet activity allows more opportunity for predators to interact with our youth. As we see in all cases, predators will also adapt to their changing environments.

The Task Force has created a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to launch Project R.I.S.K. and contains messages from leaders of area law enforcement agencies providing advice to help prevent predators from victimizing children.

Leaders advise all guardians, including parents, teachers, and custodians, to place ALL devices such as computers, laptops, tablets, and smart phones in common areas. Smart phones, even those with no service, allow the same access to predators as a computer or other device. Guardians need to know what apps are on these devices and also know their children’s passwords. Project R.I.S.K. also encourages all guardians to engage in their children’s activities.

All agencies in this Task Force share a united front to eliminate all human trafficking type cases; however, to be more successful, they need assistance from the public. Many parents and guardians want to protect their children but may not know where to look for reliable internet safety information. Project R.I.S.K. is designed to assist with that. The Project R.I.S.K. PSA will provide reliable information and the law enforcement agencies involved in this Task Force can help as well. Members of the Task Force will be available to meet with citizens, local government officials, community organizations, school boards, churches, and other groups to discuss Project R.I.S.K. and internet safety. 

The members of the Northwest Louisiana Human Trafficking Task Force are:

Law Enforcement Members

Bossier City Marshal’s Office

Bossier City Police Department

Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office

Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office

Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (FBI-Shreveport Field Office)

Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office

DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office

Federal Bureau of Investigations, Shreveport Field Office

Greenwood Police Department

Homeland Security Investigations, Shreveport Field Office

Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

Louisiana Alcohol Tobacco Commission

Louisiana State Police

Office of Special Investigations, Barksdale Air Force Base

Sabine Parish Sherriff’s Office

Shreveport Police Department

United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General

United States Department of State

United States Marshal Service, Western District of Louisiana

Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office    

Prosecutorial Members

United States Attorney’s Office (Western District of Louisiana)

Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office

Bossier/Webster Parish District Attorney’s Office

For further information regarding Project R.I.S.K., contact any of the members above or Assistant United States Attorney Earl Campbell at 318-676-3600.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Kelvin Broadway, 26, of Shreveport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Broadway was sentenced to 57 months (4 years, 9 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Broadway pleaded guilty to the charge on April 24, 2020.

On January 6, 2019, Shreveport Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in which Broadway was a front-seat passenger. Law enforcement officers found two loaded handguns inside a shopping bag that Broadway had possessed between his feet. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

Broadway has prior felony convictions in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, for felony theft (2011), possession of a controlled substance (2012), and illegally carrying of weapons while in possession of a controlled substance (2013).

The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation and Assistant United States Attorneys Mike Shannon and Tennille Gilreath prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, along with Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart, Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond and Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator, and agents from the ATF, FBI and DEA, held a press conference today to discuss their efforts to increase the investigation and prosecution of cases against violent criminals in the City of Shreveport.

In November 2019, U.S. Attorney General William Barr announced the launch of Project Guardian, a nationwide strategic plan to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department’s highest priorities. Project Guardian emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.

Another federal partnership initiative with local law enforcement to address the rise in violent crimes in our nation has also been introduced and named, Operation Legend. This operation honors the memory of four-year old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while asleep in bed early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. Operation Legend began in the larger cities of our nation which have seen a spike in violent crime, including Kansas City, Missouri, St. Louis, Albuquerque, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis, Milwaukee and Indianapolis. These gun crimes are not just a problem in our larger cities, but also here in the Western District of Louisiana.

The Project Guardian program, along with Operation Legend, encourages joint efforts between federal and local law enforcement agencies. Because of these programs and joint efforts of the agencies that are represented here today and other law enforcement partners, we have brought over 386 federal firearm prosecutions in the Western District of Louisiana since 2017 and our efforts are increasing. Below are some statistics:

• FY17 through FY19, the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted approximately 285 firearm related offenses, including felons and drug dealers in possession of firearms, in the entire Western District of Louisiana, with 113 defendants being in the Shreveport Division alone.
• These prosecutions represent approximately three times the number of such cases than have been brought in previous years.
• On average, that is 82 cases per year being prosecuted in our district.

These numbers show that we have been committed to prosecuting federal firearm cases and getting dangerous criminals off the streets of our city and pledge to work even harder to bring these offenders to justice. Cooperation with our state and local law enforcement partners in bringing these federal firearms indictments allows our state and local partners to concentrate on other crimes in our district.

Too many lives have been tragically lost and too many people have been senselessly injured due to gun violence in our city– including most recently this past weekend when a 2-year-old was shot in the abdomen during an exchange of gunfire between multiple people. This innocent toddler is now fighting for his life. Since May 2020, there have been shootings in Shreveport where at least ten innocent children have been shot and some killed. Our organized efforts are in honor of these and the many other victims who suffered at the hands of these dangerous criminals. Many Shreveport neighborhoods are filled with gun shots being fired randomly. Local community leaders and officials have held prayer vigils and rallies to try to bring awareness to this situation and encourage individuals in our community to stop the gun violence.

“The aim of Project Guardian and Operation Legend is to provide safe neighborhoods in Shreveport and surrounding areas where the people can safely live, work and raise their families by removing the most violent and dangerous offenders from our streets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “This is a challenging situation for the Shreveport area but we are committed to working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to address the crime surge in Shreveport. Individuals who take another’s life by pulling a trigger without a second thought must stop. We will not be deterred, and we will continue to step up the pressure on these bad actors. The message is clear, if you threaten the safety and security of innocent people in our communities, you will face the consequences.”

Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator also stated: “Sadly our community is experiencing a proliferation of gun violence. The common thread is the illegal possession of guns by gangsters, many of which are supplying illicit drugs to our young people. We MUST cut this thread by aggressive law enforcement and prosecution of these thugs.”

Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond stated: “The Shreveport Police Department values the relationships we have with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and numerous other agencies in our combined efforts to decrease violent crime. It takes a unified effort to address violence in our community and working together toward that goal is key to our success.”

If you have any information related to individuals committing crimes of violence in Shreveport, please contact Shreveport Police at 318-673-7300 #3, 318-673-6955 or Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Shreveport Prosthetics, Inc. (“SPI”) has agreed to pay $1.6 million, plus interest, to the federal government to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act for false supplier billings to the Medicare program.

SPI is a Louisiana corporation that provides upper and lower extremity prosthetics to patients in North Louisiana. The civil settlement resolves allegations that when SPI’s supplier number was deactivated, SPI funneled its claims to Medicare through a supplier in Texas for services that were rendered by SPI in Louisiana. SPI also routinely waived patient coinsurance amounts over a three year period, resulting in Medicare being overcharged for the billed services. This lawsuit was initiated by former office administrator/billing specialist Kimberly Throgmorton under the qui tam, or whistleblower provisions, of the False Claims Act.  Under the False Claims Act, private citizens can bring suit on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery.  Ms. Throgmorton will receive over a quarter of a million as her share of the government’s recovery.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to investigating and aggressively pursuing healthcare providers who seek public funds through unlawful means. This settlement should send a message to all healthcare providers and suppliers in the Western District of Louisiana that violations of the False Claims Act will continue to receive this office’s full attention and resources,” said Alexander C. Van Hook, Acting U.S. Attorney.

“We remain focused on investigating healthcare providers who seek to enrich themselves by engaging in illegal activities,” said Miranda L. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of insidious schemes, which are designed to bypass important protections for Medicare beneficiaries.”

As part of the settlement, SPI agreed to a three-year Integrity Agreement (IA) with the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The IA promotes compliance with the statutes, regulations, program requirements, and written directives of Medicare and all other federal health care programs.  Among other compliance obligations, the IA requires that SPI must establish and maintain a compliance program, engage an Independent Review Organization to perform quarterly claims reviews, and routinely report on these obligations to OIG.

This resolution is part of the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. The Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services work in partnership to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in that effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

The case is docketed as United States ex rel. Throgmorton v. Shreveport Prosthetics, Inc., et al., No. 17-881 (W.D. La.).

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen J. King prosecuted the case.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Skyland Washington, 32, of New Iberia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Washington was sentenced to 36 months (3 years) in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release. Washington previously pled guilty to the charge in United States District Court on February 13, 2020.

An Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Deputy and Louisiana State Police Trooper were dispatched to the scene of a single vehicle traffic accident in New Iberia on June 12, 2017. When law enforcement officers arrived, they made contact with the driver of the vehicle, Skyland Washington. Officers noticed a handgun in the vehicle at Washington’s feet and after further investigation, learned that the handgun had been reported stolen. Officers learned that Washington had previously been convicted of a felony and an arrest warrant was obtained for his arrest.

Washington has previous felony convictions in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, for simple burglary and possession of cocaine (2009). Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

The ATF, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

LAFAYETTE, La. –  Pedro Aguirre-Nunez, 39, a Duson, Louisiana resident, was sentenced in United States District Court for Production of Child Pornography, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Aguirre-Nunez to spend 224 months (18 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

On March 29, 2019, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of indecent behavior with a juvenile at a residence in Duson, Louisiana. Law enforcement officers learned that videos of Aguirre-Nunez molesting a minor girl had been discovered on the cloud account associated with his phone. Officers obtained a search warrant for the cloud account and found three videos. The videos were taken on a smart phone and synched with the cloud account associated with that phone.

A forensic review determined that the videos had been taken a few months prior to the discovery of them. All three of the videos were taken while the minor child was asleep. On October 17, 2019, Aguirre-Nunez admitted that he did in fact produce the visual depictions of conduct with the minor child by using his smart phone and pled guilty to Production of Child Pornography in federal court.

Aguirre-Nunez is a citizen and national of Mexico and did not have legal status in the United States on the dates these crimes were committed.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423.  Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.

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            The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

SHREVEPORT, La. –  Kentrell Demarcia Turner, 28, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today in federal court, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced. Turner was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 87 months (7 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On February 23, 2018, a Shreveport Police Department officer observed a vehicle in a parking lot with smoke plumes exiting an open window that resembled the smell of marijuana. When the officer approached the vehicle, the driver, Kentrell Demarcia Turner, exited and stood near the open driver side door. The law enforcement officer observed a large plastic baggie containing marijuana and a black semi-automatic handgun on the driver’s side floorboard. Turner was taken into custody and admitted that the marijuana belonged to him. While inventorying the vehicle, officers also located a bag containing 33.09 net grams of cocaine in the vehicle and found that the handgun on the driver’s side floorboard was loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition.

While at the Shreveport City Jail, law enforcement officers searched Turner and removed 200.8 gross grams of powder cocaine from a body cavity. The suspected cocaine was examined by the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory and tested positive as cocaine.

Turner has previous felony convictions for possession of Schedule II narcotics in 2011 and 2012. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has received multiple reports that individuals claiming to represent the Justice Department are calling members of the public as part of an imposter scam. Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook strongly encourages the public to remain vigilant and not to provide personal information during these calls, which appear to target the elderly.

Reports to the National Elder Fraud Hotline indicate that scammers falsely represent themselves as DOJ investigators or employees and attempt to obtain personal information from the call recipient, or they leave a voicemail with a return phone number. The return phone number directs users to a recorded menu that matches the recorded menu for the Department’s main phone number. Eventually, the user reaches an “operator” who steers the user to someone claiming to be an investigator. That “investigator” then attempts to gain the user’s personal information.

“Phone scams are an ugly and pervasive act of victimization. The scams being reported to our National Elder Fraud Hotline are especially heinous because they show the perpetrators are preying upon one of the most vulnerable segments of our society – the elderly,” said Jessica Hart, Director of the Office for Victims of Crime (“OVC”), which monitors reports to the National Elder Fraud Hotline. “As if this were not despicable enough, the scammers do so posing as employees of the Justice Department, usurping public trust in the agency that serves as a bastion of fairness and lawfulness while these scams exploit the elderly for financial gain. The first step to identifying these criminals is to have their crimes reported.”

Those who receive these calls are encouraged not to provide personal information and to report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) via their website or by calling 877-FTC-HELP (877-38204357). Fraud can also be reported to the FBI for law enforcement action at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/report-fraud.

The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a resource created by OVC for people to report fraud against anyone age 60 or older. Reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible, and within the first 2-3 days, can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open 7 days a week. For more information about the hotline please visit: https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov/.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Rondrekus Soileau a/k/a “Drake,” aka “D,” 28, of Ville Platte, Louisiana, was sentenced today. United States District Judge Michael J. Juneau sentenced Soileau to 74 months (6 years, 2 months) in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Soileau pleaded guilty on December 12, 2019.

According to information presented to the court, between January and April of 2019, Rondrekus Soileau purchased methamphetamine from a co-defendant approximately every other week. Soileau arranged purchases of methamphetamine using his cell phone and the transactions involved quantities of one-half ounce of methamphetamine. After purchasing the methamphetamine, Soileau sold some of it for profit and kept some of it for his own personal use.

This prosecution is part of a larger investigation conducted by the DEA through its Southwest Louisiana HIDTA Task Force and Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces. The Louisiana State Police Narcotics Division initiated the investigation, and Special Agents with DEA, as well as Task Force Officers assigned to the Southwest Louisiana HIDTA Task Force, completed the investigation. In addition to the above conviction and sentence, the investigation resulted in the dismantling of a drug trafficking organization in Ville Platte, Louisiana. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Winnfield man pleaded guilty today to stealing firearms from a local store.

Joe Louis Anderson, 53, of Winnfield, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of theft of firearms from a federal firearms dealer. Evidence introduced at the hearing established that during the early morning hours of July 25, 2019, Anderson unlawfully entered the Governor’s Affair store and stole five firearms from the firearm display case. The store had surveillance video of Anderson stealing the firearms and leaving the store with them.

Anderson has a lengthy criminal history, with previous convictions for second degree burglary and possession of stolen vehicle (1991); possession of stolen vehicle and larceny (1992); second degree burglary and knowingly concealing stolen property (1995); larceny of an automobile (1997); and possession of contraband in penal institution (1998).

Anderson faces 10 years in prison, not more than three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for December 4, 2020 at 11:00.

The ATF and Winnfield Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan is prosecuting the case.

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MONROE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Donnie Laing, Jr., 40, of Youngsville, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty for wire fraud. Laing was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was also ordered to pay $918,531 in restitution to the victims of this scheme.

Laing pled guilty in March 2020 to wire fraud in connection with a million dollar Ponzi scheme that he orchestrated through his limited liability company, Capital Energy Investments, LLC (“Capital”). Evidence established that from April through November of 2018, Laing operated a Ponzi scheme through Capital. Laing used Capital to set up a business bank account and solicit money from the victims of his scheme. He represented himself to be the owner of Capital, a purportedly legitimate business that purchased and rented out oil and gas equipment. Investors were led to believe that Capital would use their money to invest in oil and gas equipment, and then lease such equipment to companies engaged in oil and gas exploration activities for a profit, promising investors high rates of return on their investments. Instead, Laing used the victims’ investments for his own personal use.

Throughout the scheme, Laing submitted false proposals and contracts to his victims to persuade them to invest their money with Capital. He also used funds from new investors to make payments to previous investors under the guise that the payments represented legitimate profits and returns on the victims’ investments. These payments allowed the defendant to avoid detection and obtain additional funds from his victims. Laing also used his relationship with a former business associate living in northeast Louisiana to solicit money from investors. Throughout the course of the scheme, Laing defrauded multiple investors and received nine investor payments during the period from April to October 2018.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cadesby B. Cooper prosecuted the case.

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MONROE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that two convicted felons have been sentenced in United States District Court for illegal possession of firearms. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced both men today.

West Monroe Man Sentenced on Drug and Gun Charges

Jerry Dakota Johnston, 25, of West Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 115 months (9 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

On September 2, 2019, Union Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies observed Johnston illegally dumping trash at a parish dumpsite on Highway 15 in Downsville, Louisiana. While speaking with Johnston, deputies observed in plain view a 9mm handgun, loaded with a 30-round extended magazine, stuffed between the driver’s seat and center console of the vehicle Johnston had been driving. Johnston claimed that it was only a “BB gun,” but then, unprovoked, Johnston fled on foot down the highway. After a brief chase, deputies apprehended Johnston and placed him into custody. During a search of the vehicle, deputies found approximately 12 grams of methamphetamine packaged for distribution. Before his arrest on September 2, 2019, Johnson, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior convictions for drug dealing and domestic violence. At the time of arrest, Johnston knew his status as a convicted felon.

The ATF and the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Shannon prosecuted the case.

Monroe Man Sentenced on Federal Firearms Crimes

Cedric Dewayne Coleman, 36, of Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 54 months (4 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Coleman previously pleaded guilty to the charge on June 3, 2020.

In November 2019, detectives with the Monroe Police Department conducted a follow-up investigation of a domestic dispute. Detectives went to an apartment in Monroe, Louisiana and found Coleman lying in bed. After a search of the bedroom, officers found a pistol at the head of the bed Coleman was sleeping in and he admitted that the gun was his. Coleman has previous convictions for distribution of marijuana (2005); possession of cocaine (2006); and domestic abuse battery (2015). Under federal law, it is it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

The ATF and the Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case.

Each case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Bobby Kirkendoll, 44, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 162 months (13 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote conducted the sentencing hearing. Kirkendoll previously pleaded guilty to the charges January 9, 2020.

According to information presented to the court, in April 2019, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop the vehicle Kirkendoll was driving for a traffic violation. Instead of stopping, Kirkendoll drove away and a car chase ensued. During the chase, deputies observed him throw a gun onto the roadway, as well as other items, from the car. Eventually, Kirkendoll stopped the vehicle and deputies arrested him. Deputies recovered the items that Kirkendoll threw from the car, which included a Ruger pistol, a Smith and Wesson revolver, and bags. Inside the bags were drug paraphernalia and a variety of narcotics including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and Alprazolam. The narcotics were tested by the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory and it was confirmed that the substances included at least 5 grams of methamphetamine.

Kirkendoll was previously convicted in federal court for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and felon in possession of a firearm (2006). His state court convictions were for manslaughter and possession with intent to distribute cocaine (1994); second degree battery (1999); and aggravated incest (2008).

This case was investigated by the DEA and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Willie Player, 40, of Benton, Louisiana, was sentenced today on a charge of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Player to spend 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

While conducting a narcotics investigation in 2018, law enforcement agents set up surveillance of Willie Player and others who were known to be distributing large amounts of methamphetamine in the Shreveport/Bossier City area. Phone conversations between Player and other co-conspirators were intercepted and they were found to be arranging transactions to sell methamphetamine in various quantities. Between April and June 2018, law enforcement agents observed Player travelling from the Western District of Louisiana to Waskom, Texas to purchase various amounts of methamphetamine. 

On June 13, 2018, after purchasing methamphetamine in Waskom, Texas, Player was travelling back to the Shreveport area. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop the vehicle Player was driving near West 70th and Pines Road but rather than stopping, Player continued travelling at a high rate of speed. Player ran a red light and his vehicle was grazed on the rear passenger side by a truck travelling through the intersection. Player then lost control of the vehicle and struck utility poles before crashing into a fence surrounding an apartment complex. Law enforcement officers found methamphetamine in the vehicle with Player and he was arrested. Player pleaded guilty to the charge on November 14, 2019.

The DEA and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Ryan Joel Shilling, 27, of Shreveport, was sentenced today for Distribution of Child Pornography. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Shilling to spend 168 months (14 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Shilling was also ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution.

According to information presented in court, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations received information in July 2019 from an unnamed source that an individual sent him a message using Facebook Messenger offering to sell pictures of a nude girl and sent what appeared to be a selfie image of a nude girl. Law enforcement officers began their investigation into the allegations and learned that Ryan Joel Shilling was the individual who sent the message and sexually explicit image.

Shilling had been arrested by Shreveport Police Department officers on an unrelated matter in July 2019. Officers obtained a state search warrant for the defendant’s cell phone. During their investigation, officers found text messages between Shilling and a girl, who was later determined to be a minor, asking her to take sexually explicit images and send them to him. Shilling offered to pay her for them via CashApp. Federal and local law enforcement officers worked together and confirmed that the image Shilling had sent to the unnamed source through Facebook Messenger was in fact the image of the minor girl he was sending text messages. Shilling pled guilty to the charge in United States District Court on December 12, 2019.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423.  Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Kiandrew McFan, 23, of Shreveport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. for Illegal Possession of Stolen Explosives Material. McFan was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. McFan pled guilty to the charge in United States District Court on September 25, 2019.

According to evidence introduced in court, on February 17, 2019, a member of the Shreveport Police Department S.W.A.T. Unit reported that his unmarked vehicle was burglarized in front of his Shreveport residence. A flash bang, which is a small explosive device utilized by the S.W.A.T. during a dynamic entry of a dwelling to distract and disorient subjects in the dwelling, was stolen. The flash bang produces a loud audio explosion and an intense flash of light when detonated. On February 22, 2019, Shreveport Police Department officers obtained a warrant and discovered the flash bang at McFan’s residence. McFan admitted to the theft and possession of the explosive material.

The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Christopher D. Watson, 40, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. for failing to register as a convicted sex offender, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced. Watson was sentenced to 37 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Watson previously pled guilty to the charge on February 3, 2020. According to evidence introduced in court, Watson was convicted of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree in the State of Oregon in February 2008 and was required to register as a convicted sex offender in the State of Oregon for life. Watson moved to Utah and lived there from 2011 until 2018 and while there was arrested multiple times for failing to register as a sex offender.

In August 2018, Watson moved from Utah to Shreveport, Louisiana. In October 2018, Watson was arrested by law enforcement officers in Bossier City following a complaint. After learning he was a convicted sex offender, officers advised Watson to register as a sex offender in Louisiana. In December 2018 while responding to a complaint, Bossier City Police officers had another encounter with Watson and he was advised a second time to register as a registered sex offender as required by law and was cited to appear in Louisiana state court for failing to register as required.

On October 9, 2019, Shreveport Police officers encountered Watson and learned that he had not registered as a convicted sex offender. Watson was placed under arrest for failing to register as required. Under federal law, a convicted sex offender is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

The United States Marshals Service, Bossier City Police Department, and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Marquis Moss, 31, of Shreveport, was sentenced today for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Moss to 115 months (9 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Moss previously pleaded guilty on February 3, 2020. According to evidence introduced in court, after 9-1-1 dispatchers received a hang-up call on February 22, 2019, Shreveport Police officers were dispatched to Fullerton Street in Shreveport where the call originated. When officers arrived, they found Moss outside in the neighborhood armed with a pistol and ammunition.

Moss was previously convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile (2013) and attempted distribution of a false CDS. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Former Bossier Parish School Board Member Mike Mosura, 44, and Brant R. Landry, 39, both of Bossier City, were sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for their participation in a conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced.

Brant R. Landry was sentenced to 87 months (7 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Mike Mosura was sentenced to 3 years of supervised probation.

Mike Mosura and Brant R. Landry each pleaded guilty in August 2019. According to information presented to the court, from January 2016 to May 2018, Mosura and Landry were involved in a scheme to distribute anabolic steroids in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.  United States Postal officials in Benton, Louisiana, identified large volumes of mail that contained suspected drugs, many of which came from other countries, including China.  On one occasion, a postal official observed Landry using gloves and a towel to place parcels in a collection box.  The parcels were examined and found to contain illegal drugs. 

On May 22, 2018, Landry’s vehicle was stopped by a Bossier Parish deputy for driving erratically. Landry told the deputy that he had a .45-caliber pistol and medication inside the vehicle. After searching it, the deputy found a plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance that was later identified as a synthetic Cathinone, and 11 vials of yellow liquid, later determined to be anabolic steroids. Further investigation revealed that Landry distributed steroids to Mosura, who in turn consumed and distributed the steroids to third parties.

The DEA Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that James Albert Mayo, III, 39, of Shreveport, was sentenced today for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition. U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote sentenced Mayo to 51 months, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

A jury returned a guilty verdict against Mayo on November 13, 2019 after a two-day trial. According to evidence introduced at trial, law enforcement agents received a complaint of people smoking marijuana in a vehicle in a Shreveport neighborhood. When officers arrived, they found Mayo, along with others, in the vehicle. After further investigation, agents found that Mayo, a convicted felon, had a round of 9mm ammunition in his pocket that matched a round of ammunition recovered from a Smith & Wesson pistol that was in the vehicle where Mayo was sitting. Additionally, the firearm had been reported as stolen out of Killeen, Texas.

During the trial, the front seat passenger of the vehicle Mayo was riding in claimed possession of the Smith & Wesson and had previously pled guilty in Caddo District Court to possessing the stolen firearm.  The trial jury did not find beyond a reasonable doubt that Mayo possessed the Smith & Wesson pistol and only convicted him of possessing the ammunition.  However, at sentencing, the Court found the testimony of the front seat passenger not credible, finding that Mayo possessed the Smith & Wesson pistol and considered the possession of the firearm in handing down the sentence.

Mayo’s three prior felony convictions in Caddo Parish are for attempted distribution of narcotics (2005), possession of narcotics (2011), and possession of narcotics (2013). Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

The ATF and the Caddo-Shreveport Mid-Level Unit conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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            The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Ronald W. Allen, Jr., 41, was sentenced by United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey to spend life in prison for sexual abuse of a minor. Allen was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $72,000.

After a two-day trial in August 2019, a federal jury handed down a guilty verdict on all counts against Ronald W. Allen, Jr., a former Fort Polk Army Soldier, for sexually abusing a minor under the age of 12 years old.

According to evidence presented during trial, from April 2012 until June 2016 the defendant sexually abused the minor on numerous occasions on the Fort Polk Military Base, where the defendant lived. The abuse was exposed when the minor gave details to an individual at a school she was attending in a community near Fort Polk.  Local police were later notified, the victim was interviewed, and a warrant was executed on the defendant’s residence. Agents obtained DNA evidence from where abuse occurred and matched it to the defendant’s DNA.

“This sentence sends a clear message that those who abuse children will be brought to justice. These crimes are particularly heinous because children put their trust in adults and especially those who serve in the United States Military. This office will make it a priority to continue to prosecute these difficult cases to help provide safer communities for all of our children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Van Hook.

The FBI, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Luke Walker and Daniel J. Vermaelen prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

TWO FELONS SENTENCED FOR POSSESSING FIREARMS

            SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that two felons have been sentenced in United States District Court for illegal possession of firearms.

Three-Time Convicted Felon Sentenced

Angelo Demario Young, 30, of Shreveport, was sentenced on a federal firearms charge by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to 84 months (7 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, after being convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to documents filed with the court on June 11, 2019, Angelo Young recorded himself shooting a Glock .357 pistol at a shooting range in Shreveport and posted it to Facebook.com. Young has multiple prior felony convictions, including illegal possession of a stolen firearm (2009), possession with intent to distribute narcotics (2015), and possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon (2017). Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a felony to possess a firearm.

The ATF conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten prosecuted the case.

Shreveport Man Sentenced for Federal Firearms Crimes

Quinton Washington, 35, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 60 months (5 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, on August 23, 2018, law enforcement agents executed an arrest warrant for Washington at a house in Caddo Parish. During the operation, law enforcement found Washington and a firearm inside the house. Washington has multiple prior felony convictions, both in Louisiana and Texas.

The ATF and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten prosecuted the case.

Each case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

 

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            The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

Opelousas Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Federal Drug Charges

LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Dinah Manuel, 31, of Opelousas, Louisiana, was sentenced today. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced Manuel to 60 months (5 years) in prison followed by four years of supervised release for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Manuel pleaded guilty on November 22, 2019.

According to information presented to the court on November 22, 2019, Manuel arranged purchases of methamphetamine from a co-defendant for eventual resale. Transactions between Manuel and the methamphetamine co-defendant occurred approximately once per week, and each transaction involved quantities of up to one ounce of methamphetamine. Manuel arranged the purchases so that another individual could resell the methamphetamine for profit. In exchange for facilitating the transactions, Manuel often received a portion of the methamphetamine purchased for her own personal use.

This prosecution is part of a larger investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration through its Southwest Louisiana HIDTA Task Force and Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces. The Louisiana State Police Narcotics Division initiated the investigation, and Special Agents with DEA, as well as Task Force Officers assigned to the Southwest Louisiana HIDTA Task Force, completed the investigation. In addition to the above conviction and sentence, the investigation resulted in the dismantling of a drug trafficking organization in Ville Platte, Louisiana. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.

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24-Year Prison Sentence for Fentanyl and Heroin Trafficker

MONROE, La. – A 35-year old Monroe man who trafficked fentanyl and heroin in the Monroe area was sentenced on July 30, 2020, for his crimes, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.

Anderson Curtel Duke was sentenced to 24 years in prison and 6 years supervised release by U.S. District Donald E. Walter after being convicted on two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin following a three-day trial in February 2020. There is no parole in the federal system.

The United States presented evidence during trial showing that Duke was a high volume heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone dealer in the Monroe/West Monroe areas. In May 2018, the Monroe Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Metro Narcotics Unit and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office began a joint investigation into the drug trafficking operation of Anderson Duke. During their investigation, law enforcement agents used physical and electronic surveillance, undercover purchases, and search warrants to confirm Duke’s drug activities. On June 19, 2018, agents decided to end their month-long investigation and arrested Duke.

Testimony at trial revealed that Duke knew the heroin he sold was stronger than normal and that he obtained the heroin and fentanyl from a source of supply in the Lafayette area. During a recorded interview, post-arrest, Duke stated when he touched the heroin with his bare hands, he would go to sleep and wake up without remembering what had happened. He also stated during the interview that on one occasion he had to perform what he described as "junkie tricks" on one of his customers to revive that customer after an overdose. At least five other people overdosed on the same batch of heroin.

The United States alleged that one of those customers suffered a lethal overdose. The jury found that the government did not prove this allegation beyond a reasonable doubt and acquitted Duke of this conduct. The jury also heard recordings that took place on multiple occasions between May and June 20189, related to Duke’s distribution of fentanyl and heroin. The government alleged that Duke sold these drugs to undercover sources on four occasions. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on these four counts of the indictment. However, the sentencing judge took this conduct into consideration at sentencing, which the law provides, by concluding that the government proved this conduct by a preponderance of the evidence.

When officers arrived to arrest Duke on June 19, 2018, he was entering a vehicle and attempted to flee from officers, eventually striking a police vehicle. At the time of his arrest, Duke was in possession of fentanyl, heroin, and $1,000 Duke received from a controlled fentanyl transaction performed earlier that morning that was organized by agents. Due to Duke’s prior serious felony drug convictions of distribution of OxyContin, possession of Alprazolam with intent to distribute, and attempted distribution of marijuana, the career offender provision of the United States Sentencing Guidelines allowed the court to sentence Duke to an enhanced sentence.

"This case has taken a dangerous drug dealer off the streets of Monroe and has stopped him from hurting more people," said Acting U.S. Attorney Van Hook. "Fentanyl can be 50 times more potent than heroin - significantly increasing the risk for overdose - just a few grains can have deadly consequences. I want to thank the DEA, the Metro Narcotics Unit, and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office for their hard work investigating this case. I also want to thank the prosecutors and staff for their hard work conducting this trial professionally and effectively. We will continue to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to disrupt drug traffickers and stop them in their tracks."

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Metro Narcotics Unit, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Monroe Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Anderson Thompson of Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Office, Criminal Division.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT, LAFAYETTE, MONROE, ALEXANDRIA, LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that he has resigned from the Department of Justice, effective August 3, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. CDT, at which time he assumed the duties of United States District Court Judge. Joseph was appointed by President Trump to the position of United States Attorney in March of 2018. 

“Serving as United States Attorney for the citizens of the Western District of Louisiana has been a privilege,” said Joseph. “I have been honored to lead an office of dedicated and talented public servants and to work with so many professional and hardworking law enforcement officers throughout Louisiana, as well as my colleagues U.S. Attorneys Brandon Fremin and Peter Strasser. By hard work and collaboration, I believe that we have made progress in accomplishing our shared goal of making Louisiana a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.”

“I commend David Joseph for his service as United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. Since taking his oath, David has faithfully led his office with integrity and unrelenting commitment to the rule of law. David’s leadership fostered a collaborative relationship between his office and federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. His efforts to combat violent crime showed a decline during his two-year tenure and built safer communities for the citizens of Louisiana. The Department looks forward to his future service as a principled jurist to our Nation’s courts, and welcomes First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook to serve as the Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.

During his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Joseph served as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Western District of Louisiana, which includes 42 of the State’s 64 parishes and geographically encompasses two-thirds of the State of Louisiana. As U.S. Attorney, Joseph oversaw the investigation and prosecution of all federal criminal violations in the Western District of Louisiana and represented the United States in all civil litigation occurring in the Western District. 

Under Joseph’s leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s Office prioritized, among other initiatives, the fights against violent crime, the opioid epidemic, public corruption, and human trafficking. Immediately upon assuming office, Joseph began working collaboratively with police chiefs, sheriffs, district attorneys, and federal law enforcement agents in all 42 parishes of the Western District of Louisiana to engage in proactive efforts aimed at combatting violent crime and building safer communities. As a result of this renewed focus on violent crime, including tripling the number of firearm offenses prosecuted, the district saw significant declines in the violent crime rates in 2018 and 2019. During Joseph’s first year in office, violent crime rates dropped 38% in Monroe, 14% in Shreveport, 9% in Lake Charles, and 5% in Lafayette. This resulted in approximately 791 fewer victims of violent crime in the Western District of Louisiana in 2018 alone. 2019 saw an additional 6% drop in violent crime throughout the district, including an additional 13% reduction in Shreveport. 

These results were achieved by working closely with state and local law enforcement to identify for federal prosecution the offenders most likely to commit acts of violence, including felons and narcotics traffickers in possession of firearms. Joseph’s office also worked with federal, state, and local law enforcement to identify and federally prosecute criminal street gangs, including the federal racketeering (RICO) prosecution of the “Block Boyz,” a notorious street gang that long terrorized Shreveport’s Queensborough neighborhood with firearm violence, armed robberies, drug peddling, and witness intimidation. Joseph also oversaw the prosecution of members of the Aryan Circle, a prison-based white supremacist gang responsible for acts of violence and lawlessness both inside and outside of correctional institutions.

In response to the growing opioid epidemic in the United States, Joseph targeted both illegal opioid traffickers as well as medical professionals contributing to addiction and overdose deaths. Among other prosecutions, U.S. v. Anderson Duke resulted in a 24-year sentence for a fentanyl and heroin drug trafficker in the Monroe area, and in U.S. v. Melissa Richardson, a former VA pharmacist was sentenced to serve time in federal prison for stealing hydrocodone from mail-out prescriptions intended for veterans. Joseph’s office also entered into a $22 million civil settlement with Morris and Dickson, the largest privately-owned wholesale pharmaceutical distributor in the United States, for failing to report suspicious orders of hydrocodone and oxycodone.

On the public corruption front, among other cases, Joseph’s office convicted Patrick Hale Dejean, a Jefferson Parish Justice of the Peace who stole wages from citizens appearing in his court, and former prison warden Nathan Burl Cain II, who used his position as warden to embezzle taxpayer money.

Other significant cases handled by Joseph’s office included the prosecution of an individual responsible for burning down three predominantly African American churches in St. Landry Parish; the conviction of the owners and managers of Explo Systems, Inc., a defense contracting company, for their roles in defrauding the government and turning Camp Minden, Louisiana, into the largest illegal dumping ground for military explosives and munitions in the history of the United States; the prosecution of a Fort Polk soldier for manufacturing and detonating a chemical weapon in the Kisatchie National Forest resulting in substantial injuries to other soldiers; and the prosecution of a mega-church pastor from Houston, Texas, and his co-defendant, a Shreveport investment advisor, for their roles in a multimillion-dollar investment scheme that involved elderly victims.

Joseph also launched the Northwest Louisiana Human Trafficking Task Force in November of 2019, the first of its kind in Louisiana, with the goal of preventing human trafficking, rescuing victims of human trafficking, and prosecuting human traffickers criminally. The task force, formulated and led by the United States Attorney’s Office and Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, is a collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, along with local non-governmental victim services organizations, including civic, faith-based, and social services organizations.

During Joseph’s tenure the U.S. Attorney’s Office collected more than $116 million in civil and criminal actions and restitution for crime victims. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also provided many hours of training to federal, local and state law enforcement agencies throughout the District.

Today, after being sworn in by Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr., Joseph began his service on the bench. Joseph, 43, was nominated by President Trump on December 2, 2019, to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexandria Division. The U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination on July 28, 2020. 

“I thank Senators Kennedy and Cassidy for recommending me for this judgeship and for their service to the citizens of Louisiana in the United States Senate,” said Joseph. “I am also grateful to President Trump for giving me the opportunity to serve the Western District of Louisiana as U.S. Attorney and to continue my service to our community in the federal judiciary.”

Before becoming United States Attorney in 2018, Joseph served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, where he prosecuted a wide variety of offenses, with a focus on fraud, public corruption, white-collar crime and crimes committed on the District’s military installations. Prior to his career as a federal prosecutor, Joseph served as a commissioned officer and prosecutor in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, as well as an attorney in the Professional Liability & Financial Crimes Section of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and in private practice as a commercial litigation attorney.

Joseph received his Bachelor’s Degree of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma and his Juris Doctorate from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, where he was a member of the Louisiana Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. After graduating law school, Joseph clerked for Justice Jeffrey P. Victory of the Louisiana Supreme Court and Judge John V. Parker of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. 

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook will serve as the Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana upon Joseph’s departure. Mr. Van Hook has served for 10 years as the First Assistant United States Attorney and began his career in the United States Attorney’s Office in 1999.

Law enforcement partners offered the following statements:

“David Joseph’s leadership in the U.S. Attorney community and in the Western District of Louisiana has been exemplary, and his commitment to the rule of law has been the cornerstone of a distinguished legal career,” said Brandon J. Fremin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana. “The Department of Justice and the United States of America benefited greatly by his appointment as United States Attorney. Our loss is the Judiciary’s gain.”

“U.S. Attorney Joseph has served the citizens of the Western District of Louisiana with integrity and distinction since 2018, said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana Peter G. Strasser. I congratulate Mr. Joseph on his confirmation as a member of the federal judiciary and I’m confident he will continue to serve the Western District with honor and exceptional acumen.”

“I have known David for several years, and he is a man of incredible integrity and a servant of the law. I congratulate him for his successful tenure as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana and for his faithful service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney there. I witnessed firsthand his distinguished service to the citizens of the Western District’s 42 parishes,” said Donald Washington, former United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana and now Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “Judge Joseph will be an outstanding jurist, who will serve with energy and compassion. He will provide equal justice for all.”

“I would like to congratulate David on his appointment to this important position and thank him for supporting the FBI and our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners. Having a collaborative partnership with our U.S. Attorneys is paramount to the successes of all law enforcement agencies. I wish him great success in his new role,” stated FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Bryan Vorndran.   

DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley said, “DEA would like to thank Mr. Joseph for his unrelenting partnership and congratulate him on his prestigious appointment to federal judge. With persistence and conviction, Mr. Joseph has done an excellent job leading the U.S. Attorney’s Office, all while combatting drug trafficking and the violent crimes associated with it, making communities in the Western District of Louisiana a safer place to live. Together, along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we have successfully put drug traffickers and violent criminals where they belong, behind bars.”

“David Joseph has been instrumental in assisting law enforcement in the Western District of Louisiana in bringing violent criminals to justice, helping combat violent crime rates, and improving cooperation with our federal partners,‘' said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “It’s been my honor to work with him to keep communities safe.”

“During his tenure representing the Western District of Louisiana, U.S. Attorney Joseph proved to be a dedicated partner working shoulder to shoulder with federal, state, and local law enforcement to ensure public safety and justice for victims,” said Colonel Kevin Reeves, Louisiana State Police Superintendent. “His support and guidance on the Northwest Louisiana Human Trafficking Task Force led to the successful prosecution of numerous child exploitation and human trafficking offenders. On behalf of the entire Louisiana State Police, we wish Judge Joseph the best in his new appointment.”

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the histry of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – A multiple-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Alexandria charging Darnell Fulton, 36, with forced labor, conspiracy, and transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, announced David C. Joseph, United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and FBI’s New Orleans Field Office Special Agent in Charge Bryan A. Vorndran. 

The defendant was arrested and taken into federal custody on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, and made his initial appearance in court on July 29, 2020. A detention hearing is scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2020. 

According to the allegations set forth in the indictment, the defendant forced three victims, who were his step-children, to provide labor and services in his business by means of force and threats of force by causing the victims to believe that if they did not perform the labor and services, they would suffer serious physical harm.

As part of the conspiracy, the indictment alleges that the defendant subjected the victims to physical violence, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, withholding of food, degradation, intimidation, and psychological manipulation in order to obtain uncompensated labor and services from the victims. As the conspiracy progressed, the defendant took the victims out of school, water-boarded them, and set daily sale quotas. In addition, the indictment alleges that at three times between June 2016 and May 17, 2019, the defendant transported the minors in interstate commerce with the intent that they engage in criminal sexual activity. 

An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Fulton faces a sentence of up to life in prison, as well as mandatory restitution.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alexandria Resident Agency, with assistance from the Alexandria Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky for the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

Darnell Fulton, 36, was charged today in a multiple count indictment with charges including forced labor, conspiracy, and transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, announced Eric S. Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, and David C. Joseph, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. 

The defendant was arrested and taken into federal custody on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, and made his initial appearance in court on July 29, 2020. A detention hearing is scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2020. 

According to the allegations set forth in the indictment, the defendant forced three victims, who were his step-children, to provide labor and services in his business by means of force and threats of force to the victims and by means of a scheme, plan, and pattern intended to cause the victims to believe that if they did not perform the labor and services, that they and others would suffer serious harm.

According to the indictment, the defendant conspired to do so with others and the conspiracy included forcing the victims to bake and sell brownies to sustain the family. As part of the conspiracy, the indictment alleges that the defendant subjected the victims to physical violence, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, withholding of food, degradation, intimidation, and psychological manipulation in order to obtain uncompensated labor and services from the victims. As the conspiracy progressed, the defendant took the victims out of school, water-boarded them, and set daily sale quotas. In addition, the indictment alleges that at three times between June 2016 and May 17, 2019, the defendant transported, and conspired to transport, a minor, under the age of 18, in interstate commerce, with the intent that the minor engage in criminal sexual activity. 

An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces a sentence of up to life in prison, as well as mandatory restitution.

The case is being investigated by the Alexandria office of the FBI, with assistance from the Alexandria Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky for the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Kaenon A. Constantin, 28, was sentenced on July 30, 2020, to five years of probation for killing and transporting a federally protected and endangered whooping crane.   During his period of probation, Constantin must complete 360 hours of community service related to wildlife conservation. As part of the sentence, Constantin’s hunting privileges have been suspended until he completes the community service. United States Magistrate Judge Hanna also ordered Constantin to pay a $10,000 fine and to pay $75,000 in restitution to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).

In November 2019, Constantin was named in a federal bill of information for violating the Lacey Act in May 2016. Specifically, on May 20, 2016, Constantin and a juvenile, using .22 caliber rifles, shot at a pair of whooping cranes located in a field within Acadia Parish, Louisiana. One of the cranes, identified as L5-15, fell dead in the field, and Constantin and his accomplice retrieved its carcass. The other crane, identified as L3-15, flew too far north into another field so that it could not be retrieved, but investigators later recovered its carcass.

After retrieving L5-15’s carcass, they noticed that it had transponders on its legs and received information that the bird was a whooping crane. Constantin and the juvenile transported the carcass to the juvenile’s residence, where they severed the legs from L5-15’s carcass by using a knife and removed the transponders. They then transported the knife, carcass, severed legs, and transponders along a nearby road and discarded the evidence. When initially approached by investigators shortly after the crime, Constantin lied about his involvement, causing the investigation to continue for nearly two more years before he finally confessed in April 2018.

The Lacey Act is a comprehensive federal law that protects against wildlife crimes, such as international and domestic wildlife trafficking. The Act prohibits, among other actions, a person from knowingly transporting wildlife, when in the exercise of due care the person should have known that the wildlife was taken or possessed in violation of, or in a manner unlawful under, any underlying law, treaty, or regulation of the United States. Whooping cranes are a federally protected species under federal laws and regulations, including the Endangered Species Act. They are large birds, standing nearly five feet tall and with wingspans of 7.5 feet.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Clark stated, “We take our mission partnering with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats very seriously. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, considers the illegal taking of protected wildlife species a high priority, and we will continue to work closely with our state agencies to assist them in these important joint investigations."

“Our agents take any investigation of illegally shooting whooping cranes very seriously. Chief of LDWF Enforcement Col. Chad Hebert and I applaud the judge in this case for imposing severe monetary punishments to help deter anyone from this behavior,” said LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet. “The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has spent a lot of resources in an effort to bring back the native whooping crane to a sustainable population, and senseless shootings like this case make that mission much more problematic.”

The United States Fish & Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker prosecuted the case.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La. – This week marks the 30thAnniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA). The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and is the nation’s preeminent civil rights law for providing access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana is proud to play a critical role in enforcing the ADA to help eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph said today.

“Since its passage 30 years ago, the ADA has been instrumental in ensuring equal access and opportunity to individuals with disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph. “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana will continue to diligently enforce the ADA to remedy discrimination and ensure compliance. Our friends, family, and neighbors with disabilities must be afforded full access to the rights, privileges, and opportunities we all enjoy as Americans.”

In recent years the U.S. Attorney’s Office has investigated and resolved a number of ADA cases, including:

Ensuring Barrier-Free Access to Health Care Facilities: The U.S. Attorney’s Office has successfully resolved multiple matters to ensure that medical providers are using effective means of communication with patients, including qualified sign language interpreters provided at no cost to the patient, including Tri-State Physical Therapy Bossier and Acadiana Family Physicians. 

Ensuring Equal Access for Children with Disabilities in Summer Camp Settings:  The U.S. Attorney’s Office has conducted outreach to public and private camps within the Western District to ensure that the camps provide reasonable modifications of their policies and practices when necessary to enable campers with disabilities to participate fully in camp programs. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/summer-camps-must-reasonably-accommodate-children-disabilities

Ensuring Equal Access to Local Government Services:  The U.S. Attorney’s Office has successfully resolved complaints with the Parish of DeSoto to ensure that people with disabilities can access local governmental services and facilities. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/us-attorneys-office-reaches-agreement-desoto-parish-increase-accessibility-pursuant

Ensuring Physical Access to Places of Public Accommodation:  The U.S. Attorney’s Office has also resolved multiple matters to ensure physical access to public places to accommodate those with mobility disabilities.

The promise of the ADA is its wide-ranging efforts to eliminate disability discrimination across the range of services, programs, and activities that most Americans take for granted, but were largely inaccessible to individuals with disabilities prior to the law’s enactment. Whether in employment, areas of civic life, or in the day-to-day activities and access to goods and services that we all enjoy – the ADA ensures that individuals with disabilities enjoy the same opportunities as all Americans to participate in everything this nation has to offer.
 
Over the past 30 years, the United States has undertaken the challenge of changing perceptions about disability, tearing down barriers to equality, and altering the systems that have historically excluded people with disabilities. The Justice Department commemorates the many ways that the ADA has transformed society—by replacing exclusion with access, segregation with integration, and limitations with self-determination.
 
For more information about the ADA, call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).
 
To file a complaint with the Department, please visit the Civil Rights Division’s portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. 
 
For more information about the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov. 

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a couple from Monterey, Louisiana, was sentenced in federal court in Shreveport on July 23, 2020, to three years of federal probation for felony Lacey Act violations in relation to illegally operating a woodcock guide service on Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area (RKYWMA).  The Suttons pleaded guilty on August 19, 2019.

Senior U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell ordered William K. Sutton, 66, to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000; Karen S. Sutton, 61, was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $1,000. Additionally, Judge Drell ordered the couple to pay restitution in the amount of $7,850 to the RKYWMA and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement.

The Suttons were named in a federal indictment for conspiracy and Lacey Act violations in March of 2019 after agents with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service completed a successful criminal investigation of their Woodcock guide service.  State Wildlife officers had cited Mr. Sutton during the previous hunting season, but the Suttons continued their illicit activity. The investigation culminated with joint search warrant executions by Federal and State Wildlife agents at the Sutton’s residence and hunting lodge. The investigation yielded evidence indicating the Suttons had conducted approximately 82 illegal hunts over a two-year period netting an estimated monetary gain of over $100,000.                 

The Lacey Act is a comprehensive federal law that protects against wildlife crimes, such as international and domestic wildlife trafficking. The Act prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that have been taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of other federal, state, or foreign laws.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Clark stated, “We take our mission working with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the citizens of Louisiana in conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats very seriously.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, considers the illegal commercialization of wildlife resources a high priority, and we will continue to work closely with our State partners to assist them in these important investigations." 

"This is a great example of federal and state agencies working together to protect Louisiana's wonderful natural resources.  This couple was stealing from the citizens of Louisiana and justice was served," said Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Enforcement Division, Colonel Chad Hebert.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Romanian citizen pleaded guilty to attempted bank fraud on Tuesday morning, July 21, 2020, admitting that he used an ATM skimming device in an attempt to steal money from the City Savings Bank in Deridder, Louisiana. U.S. District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. presided over the hearing.

As part of his plea agreement, Gigi Velcu, 37, admitted that he attempted to defraud and intended to defraud the bank’s customers by using skimming equipment, including a camera, at the bank’s ATM. The skimming equipment was used to collect bank customer card data and the camera recorded the keypad as customers entered their PINs.

After receiving a complaint from City Savings Bank, the DeRidder Police Department initiated surveillance of the ATM. Velcu was seen on the surveillance video inserting a card into the ATM’s reader in order to activate the harvesting of the bank account numbers contained on the skimming device’s hard drive. Velcu further admitted that the bank account information and video recordings of the PINs would have been used to create counterfeit debit cards which would then be used to make purchases and obtain cash.

At sentencing on October 15, 2020, Velcu faces 30 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and possible deportation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the DeRidder Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Damilola Bamidele Isaac Samuel, 22, a Nigerian citizen, has been sentenced for using fraudulent ATM bank cards to steal $260,726.09 from over two dozen Regions Bank customers, including elderly victims.

On July 20, 2020, Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. ordered Samuel to serve 33 months in federal prison. Judge Hicks also sentenced Samuel, who pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud on December 10, 2019, to pay $276,790.39 in restitution. Following his release from prison, Damilola Samuel will be subject to deportation proceedings.

According to court documents, Samuel conspired with others to steal $260,726.09 from Regions Bank customers using fraudulently obtained ATM debit cards. Samuel carried out an account takeover scheme whereby he fraudulently set up accounts in legitimate bank customer’s names then transferred money from the customer’s legitimate account into those fraudulently created accounts. On multiple occasions, Samuel was captured on surveillance cameras utilizing ATM cards associated with the fraudulent checking accounts.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten prosecuted the case.

In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every U.S. Attorney’s office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through fraud schemes that largely affected seniors, including this case in the Western District of Louisiana.

The National Elder Fraud Hotline provides services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud. The Hotline is staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers. Case managers will assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed. When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller. The Hotline’s toll-free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

For more information about DOJ’s efforts to prevent and combat elder abuse, please visit the Elder Justice Website at https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office of Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that two Shreveport men were indicted today for credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft. The 11-count indictment charges former City of Shreveport Public Works employee, Tory Deshawn Jackson, 41, and Jawaski L. Johnson, 30, with one count of conspiracy to use an unauthorized access device and nine counts of use of an unauthorized access device. In addition, Jackson was charged with one count of aggravated identity theft.  

According to the indictment, from September 2017 through October 2019, Jackson and Johnson allegedly engaged in a scheme to fraudulently purchase fuel using three Fuelman credit cards stolen from the City of Shreveport. Jackson purchased the fuel using a PIN that he did not have authorization to use; Johnson would then sell the fuel to third parties at a discounted rate. The defendants conducted over 3,800 transactions totaling approximately $400,000. 

If convicted the defendants face five years in prison for the conspiracy, 10 years in prison for the access device fraud, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release. Jackson faces an additional two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Shreveport Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Carol Bates, the former comptroller for Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), pled guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr., to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Bates admitted at the plea hearing that from 2013 to 2016, she used her position as comptroller of BPCC to access an internal BPCC computer database and make false entries falsely showing individuals were due refunds by the school. These individuals were not qualified to receive the funds, and, in most cases, they were not even attending BPCC during the semesters they received the money. As a part of the scheme, Bates and her sister, Audrey Williams, recruited Faith Alexander and Marquise Perry, along with seven other individuals to receive fraudulent refunds from BPCC. Once the individual received the funds, they were instructed to deliver between one-half and two-thirds of the money to Carol Bates or her sister, Audrey Williams. 

In total, Bates caused 45 fraudulent refunds totaling $259,591.87 to be issued. Alexander received eight refunds totaling $45,482.65 from 2014 through 2016. Perry received seven refunds totaling $49,524.65 from 2015 through 2016. The remaining 30 refunds were issued to seven other individuals who, after receiving the money, transferred two-thirds or half of it to Bates.

On September 25, 2019, Bates, 49, along with her co-defendants, Faith Alexander, 28, Marquise Perry, 35, and Audrey Williams, 56, all of Shreveport, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In addition to the conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Bates was charged with 12 counts of wire fraud and Perry was charged with three counts of wire fraud.

Faith Alexander pled guilty on February 19, 2020, to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; Perry pled guilty on December 9, 2019, to one count of wire fraud; and Williams entered a not guilty plea on October 23, 2019.

Bates faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to one year of supervised release. Sentencing will be set at a later date. Alexander and Perry also face up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to one year of supervised release when they are sentenced on September 2, 2020.

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, and the Louisiana Office of State Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Jeremy Rubin, 32, of Lafayette, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Robert R. Summerhays, to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

On August 19, 2018, Lafayette Police Department officers responded to a domestic disturbance call. When they arrived on the scene, officers made contact with Rubin’s girlfriend who explained that Rubin had threatened her, then directed her into a bedroom, placed a handgun to her head and stated that she did not deserve to live. Rubin denied having a firearm, but the victim advised the officers that Rubin had secured the firearm inside a case in his vehicle. A search warrant was granted for the vehicle and a Hi-Point C9 9mm firearm and six bullets were recovered from a case bearing Rubin’s name. A check through NCIC revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen.

Rubin has a prior 2008 felony robbery conviction. As a result of his prior felony conviction, Rubin is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

At sentencing, Rubin faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine, as well as forfeiture of the firearm and ammunition related to this offense.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN plays a major role in the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Melissa W. Richardson, 44, of Shreveport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to serve one year in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for stealing controlled substances from mail-out prescriptions. Richardson was found guilty on January 17, 2020, by a federal jury in Shreveport, of 15 counts of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, following a one-week trial.

According to evidence presented during trial, on June 9, 2017, Richardson, a licensed pharmacist, who was formerly employed with the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Shreveport, stole various quantities of Hydrocodone out of individual prescription bottles as she verified mail-out prescriptions meant for veterans. The prescriptions at issue had been prepared by a pharmacy technician and were awaiting a second count and verification from Richardson. Video surveillance from inside the VAMC controlled substances vault showed Richardson slipping the pills into her pocket as she counted the prescriptions. In multiple instances, she slipped pills into her pocket before the pills were counted. Video footage showed her then verify that the prescription was correct in the VAMC’s computer system, seal the bottle, place it in a sealed envelope, and drop it in a bin for mail-out. When federal agents confronted Richardson, she had 236 loose pills in her pocket.

“Combatting the opioid epidemic is one of our nation’s most critical law enforcement and public health initiatives,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph. “Pharmacists, such as the defendant here, are entrusted with the responsibility to ensure that opioids and other controlled substances are lawfully dispensed. Richardson abused this trust when she stole prescriptions for her own use. My office will continue to hold accountable those medical professionals who violate the law in dispensing controlled substances.”

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell prosecuted the case.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Dennis Busch, 40, of Costa Mesa, California, pled guilty yesterday afternoon to wire fraud, in connection with a scheme to use altered debit cards to steal cash from Capital One bank accounts.

According to court documents, Busch used altered, re-encoded Capital One debit cards to make cash withdrawals from Capital One ATMs in the Shreveport and Bossier City area. From September 24, 2018 to October 8, 2018, Busch withdrew $33,838 from the bank accounts of numerous Capital One account holders. From August 13, 2019 to August 22, 2019, Busch withdrew $28,207 from Capital One bank accounts. During this time, he attempted to withdraw approximately $44,634 over numerous additional transactions, but was denied by the bank. Busch obtained the information of the Shreveport residents while he resided in California, and then traveled to the Shreveport area to commit the fraud. Throughout the scheme, Busch withdrew, or attempted to withdraw, approximately $106,679 in total.   

Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr., presided over the hearing and set sentencing for October 20, 2020. Busch faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.

The United States Secret Service is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cadesby B. Cooper is prosecuting the case.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that Kevin James Bell, 27, of Shreveport, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr., to two and a half years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On February 13, 2018, an officer with the Shreveport Police Department responded to a call about an incident at a Shreveport apartment and came into contact with Bell. During the encounter with Bell, the officer observed a firearm in his waistband. Bell was arrested, and the officers seized the .22 caliber E15 Herbert Schmidt revolver. As part of his plea on May 21, 2020, Bell admitted that at the time he possessed the firearm, he knew that he had been previously convicted of three felonies. Under federal law, a convicted felon is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.

Bell was convicted of simple burglary in 2013, and simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling in 2014. In 2017, he was convicted of simple criminal damage to property.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Shreveport Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN plays a major role in the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Octavius White, 26, of Many, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Mark L. Hornsby, to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On November 16, 2016, officers with the Many Police Department arrested Octavius White on outstanding warrants. When the officers approached the vehicle where White was sitting in the passenger seat, they notified him of the warrants and placed him under arrest. Officers found ten individually wrapped smaller bags of a white rock powder-like substance, five individually wrapped smaller bags of marijuana, $373 in cash, and a digital scale in White’s pockets. Also, during a search of the vehicle officers retrieved a loaded 9mm XD-9 Springfield Armory pistol from under the seat where White was sitting. The white rock powder-like substance was tested and determined to be 19.03 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine; the suspected marijuana was confirmed to be 11.97 grams.

White faces up to five years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, as well as forfeiture of the firearm related to this offense.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Many Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN plays a major role in the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that Erick Bautista Irias-Zepeda, 22, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Juneau to serve 12 months in federal prison for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Irias-Zepeda pled guilty on January 16, 2020. Following his release from prison, Irias-Zepeda will be subject to deportation proceedings.

Irias-Zepeda was indicted in November 2019 with one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. The charge stemmed from his August 9, 2019, arrest by Lafayette Police Department officers, following a stop of the vehicle in which Irias-Zepeda was a passenger. Officers found a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun, 12 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition, and approximately one gram of marijuana on the passenger floorboard inside the vehicle. Irias-Zepeda stated that he had purchased the firearm three weeks earlier for $200, admitted that he was illegally present in the United States, and that he knew he was not allowed to possess a firearm.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Lafayette Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN plays a major role in the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a West Monroe man was sentenced in federal court yesterday for his role in a scheme that bilked eBay customers out of nearly $2 million.

Randall Keith Byrd, 66, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty to serve four years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Doughty also ordered Byrd to pay $1,371,080.66 in restitution. Byrd pled guilty on March 16, 2020, to one count of wire fraud.  

According to information presented in court, Byrd used eBay and PayPal to defraud hundreds of eBay customers out of nearly $2 million over a five-week period. Byrd listed and sold gold bullion and/or various types and quantities of gold coins, and primarily received payment through PayPal. Byrd never sent the purchased merchandise to the customers. When eBay customers inquired about the status of their purchase, Byrd provided fraudulent shipping and tracking information to delay the discovery that he had not sent the coins. As part of the scheme, between March 2019 and June 2019, the defendant utilized existing bank accounts and established new bank accounts to conduct financial transactions with the proceeds from his fraudulent coin sales.

In September of 2019, law enforcement officers executed a court-authorized search warrant at Byrd’s residence and found $228,700 in cash, a cashier’s check in the amount of $140,499.22, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, three Rolex watches, 66 gold and silver coins, and 11 firearms.

The FBI and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan prosecuted the case.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

NEW ORLEANS, La. – United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana David C. Joseph announced that a federal grand jury in New Orleans returned an 11-count indictment today charging Jason R. Williams, 47, of New Orleans, and Nicole E. Burdett, 39, of Kenner, Louisiana, with conspiracy to defraud the United States, aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent tax returns, and failure to file IRS Forms 8300 relating to cash received in trade or business.

According to the indictment, Jason R. Williams is the owner of Jason Rogers Williams &Associates, LLC Law Firm (JRWA), located in New Orleans. Williams also currently serves as a Councilman-at-Large on the New Orleans City Council. Nicole E. Burdett is an attorney at JRWA and performs administrative functions for the firm. Burdett is responsible for paying the law firm bills, receiving client payments, and inputting and maintaining the firm’s books and records in the accounting program “QuickBooks” and other software programs.

According to the indictment, Williams and Burdett conspired to reduce Williams’ tax liability for the 2013 through 2017 tax years by classifying personal expenses as business expenses on the “Schedule C” (Profit and Loss from a Business) portion of Williams’ tax returns. Specifically, for the 2013 through 2017 tax years, Burdett compiled QuickBooks information that included many personal expenses of Jason Williams and provided this false information to the tax preparer for the preparation of tax returns. Throughout the conspiracy, Burdett, at the direction of Williams, would instruct the tax preparer to artificially increase the business expenses on the Schedule C in order to further reduce Williams’ tax liability. After Williams and Burdett were satisfied with the tax liability amount, Burdett instructed the tax preparer to electronically file the returns with the IRS.

Throughout the course of the conspiracy, Williams’ and Burdett’s conduct caused fraudulent tax returns to be filed on behalf of Williams, which reflected inflated Schedule C business expenses in the amounts of approximately $200,000 for 2013, $90,000.00 for 2014, $170,000.00 for 2015, $140,000 for 2016, and $120,000.00 for 2017. These fraudulent tax returns reduced Williams’ tax liability in excess of $200,000.

The indictment further alleges that between June 2017 and August 2018, Williams and Burdett failed to file the required IRS Forms 8300 for receipt of cash payments over $10,000.  On five separate occasions charged in the Indictment, the defendants received and failed to report cash payments in excess of $10,000 from clients for legal services, totaling $66,516. 

If convicted, Williams and Burdett each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the conspiracy count, three years in prison on each false return count, and five years in prison on each count of failing to file Forms 8300. The defendants also face a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. 

Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly P. Uebinger and David J. Ayo of the Western District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the FBI.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana is prosecuting this case due to the recusal of the Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charges in the indictment are only accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Fletcher Terrell Minor, 43, of Monroe, was sentenced June 24, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty, to 10 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release following his release from prison, and forfeiture of the firearm related to this charge. Minor pled guilty on March 9, 2020, to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On December 20, 2018, officers with the Monroe Police Department responded to a trespassing complaint on Outlet Road. The resident told the police department’s dispatch that Minor was armed with a weapon and was asleep by her front door. When officers made contact with Minor he fled. Minor was eventually detained and taken into custody. During Minor’s apprehension, a Hi Point, Model: C9 .9mm caliber Luger handgun fell from his possession.  

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess firearms or ammunition. Minor has multiple prior felony convictions in Ouachita Parish that include possession of cocaine, attempted possession of PCP, battery of a police officer, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, resisting an officer, and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon (Dallas, TX).

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle A. Thompson prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN plays a major role in the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Patrick Comeaux, 30, of Lafayette, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst, to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On December 7, 2018, Lafayette Police Department officers were dispatched to a vehicle burglary in progress. Officers located the burglary suspect, Comeaux, in a separate vehicle at a Lafayette apartment complex. When Comeaux attempted to flee the complex in the vehicle, he crashed into an officer’s unit. Comeaux then fled on foot and was apprehended and arrested for multiple violations. During the encounter, officers saw an SCCY, Model CPX-2, 9mm semi-automatic pistol on the center console of the vehicle Comeaux was driving.

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess firearms or ammunition. Comeaux has prior felony convictions in the 15th Judicial District Court, Lafayette Parish, for domestic battery and theft (May 2017), possession of methamphetamine (May 2017), and aggregated theft (November 2018). 

Comeaux faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine, as well as forfeiture of the firearm and ammunition related to this offense. The court set the sentencing date for September 22, 2020.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN plays a major role in the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that Deandray Charles Grant, 30, of Forney, Texas, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr., to seven years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On September 10, 2019, Grant was found guilty by a federal jury in Shreveport following trial.

According to testimony presented during trial, a Greenwood, Louisiana, police officer pulled over Grant’s vehicle on November 23, 2018, for traveling 90 miles per hour in a 70 mile per hour speed zone. After the vehicle stopped, the officer approached Grant and asked for his identification. Grant told the officer that he was a “sovereign citizen” with “sovereign status” and did not have to comply with his request. Eventually, Grant exited the vehicle and was arrested. The officers discovered that he did not have any identification and had a small amount of marijuana in his front pocket. After searching the vehicle they found a DPMS Panther Arms AR-15, rifle, and 28 rounds of .556-caliber ammunition.

Grant has multiple felony convictions including possession with intent to distribute drugs (August 2013), simple burglary (April 2014), and possession of marijuana (May 2014), all in Caddo Parish. Under federal law, a convicted felon is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Greenwood Police Department, and Shreveport Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Jessica Cassidy prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN plays a major role in the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Kaplan, Louisiana, man with a prior 2002 state conviction of carnal knowledge of a juvenile, was sentenced in federal court today for a child pornography offense.

Jessie C. Comeaux, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Juneau., to 87 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Following his imprisonment, Comeaux will be supervised by the United States Probation Office for eight years and will be required to register with the state sex offender registry in any state in which he lives or works. Comeaux pled guilty to this charge on March 12, 2020.

According to court records, the investigation began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported a CyberTip to special agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations (LBI) Cyber Crimes Unit indicating that an IP address associated with Comeaux’s address used an electronic device to access child pornography. Special agents with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) obtained a federal court-authorized search warrant, and on April 1, 2019, law enforcement officers with HSI, LBI and Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office executed the search warrant at Comeaux’s residence in Kaplan. A laptop previewed during the search revealed images of child pornography. Comeaux admitted to the officers that he was the primary user of the laptop and that he viewed images of child pornography on the internet involving females 10 and 12 years of age.

A subsequent forensic analysis of Comeaux’s laptop revealed 42 images of pre-pubescent and post-pubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, some as young as two years of age. Seven of the images had been downloaded by Comeaux from the internet.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana Attorney General’s Office Cyber Crime Unit, and Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the “resources” tab.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/tipline or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.

Tips may also be submitted through your local law enforcement agency or through the following agencies:

• Leave a tip with the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
• File a report with NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST or online at www.cybertipline.org.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.