Western District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Executive Director of East Carroll Parish Housing Authority Indicted for Federal Program Theft and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– On April 15, 2026, a federal grand jury in Lafayette returned a four-count indictment charging Kelsi J. McDaniel, a 29-year-old Lake Providence resident, with one count of embezzling from the East Carroll Parish Housing Authority (“ECPHA”) and three counts of concealment money laundering relating to that embezzlement. McDaniel faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the federal program theft charge, up to 20 years in federal prison for the money laundering charges, and three years of supervised release for each count.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
“Agencies like ECPHA serve some of the most vulnerable members of our Louisiana communities, and frauds like the one allegedly perpetrated by Ms. McDaniel strike at the heart of those agencies’ ability to do their work,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Our Office and federal partners look forward to seeing justice done in this case.”
“Kelsi McDaniel’s alleged actions exploited her position and violated the public trust by stealing federal funds that were intended to help provide housing for the most vulnerable people in our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Jerome Winkle with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “HUD OIG will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to diligently pursue and hold accountable individuals who take advantage of their positions of trust to defraud HUD programs.”
According to court documents, McDaniel served as the Executive Director of ECPHA, a Louisiana state agency that received funding from HUD. In that role, McDaniel was the authorized signatory for ECPHA’s Bank 1 account, with that account receiving HUD funds to promote HUD’s housing support mission. To execute her scheme, McDaniel would transfer ECPHA funds from its Bank 1 account into her personal Bank 1 account and then transfer the funds from that account to CashApps belonging to others, who would then transfer the money back to her.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cheyenne Wilson with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 26-CR-00148.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Boyce Resident Indicted for Mail and Tax Fraud, Corrupt Interference, and Money Laundering After Falsely Claiming over $9.75 Million in Tax Refunds OwedRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– On April 15, 2026, a federal grand jury in Lafayette returned a four-count indictment charging Jane Frances Pierce, a 63-year-old Boyce resident, with mail fraud, filing false tax returns, corruptly interfering with an Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) investigation, and money laundering. Pierce faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the mail fraud charge, up to 10 years in federal prison for the money laundering charge, three years in federal prison for the tax fraud and corrupt interference charges, and three years of supervised release for the mail fraud and money laundering counts.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
According to court documents, Pierce filed false tax returns on behalf of a trust she controlled, claiming a total of almost $10 million in refunds. Pierce obtained more than $1 million from the IRS and used the funds for personal expenses, including purchasing a house and vehicle for herself, repaying a personal loan, and paying her relatives’ mortgages. When the IRS attempted to recover the refunds Pierce fraudulently obtained, she obstructed the agency’s efforts by filing a false amended tax return, mailing the IRS a fake check, and filing a false court document.
The IRS – Criminal Investigations investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Western District of Louisiana and Isaiah Boyd of the Criminal Division Tax Section with assistance from Legal Assistant Tanya Broussard.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 26-CR-00147.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Fort Polk Soldier Charged for Threatening to “Walk into a Synagogue with My AK” and “Kill Every Single Jew” InsideRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– On April 23, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana charged Jakob Marcoulier, a 22-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Polk, by criminal complaint with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce after he told people on the platform Discord that he would kill Jewish people in a synagogue. Marcoulier faces up to 5 years in federal prison for the charge.
“Threats against synagogues and Jewish Americans are threats to the religious freedom promised to every single one of us, and this Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting those freedoms,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “This case demonstrates the FBI’s vigilance and swift action in identifying and taking action against those who perpetrate these threats, and our Office looks forward to seeing justice done in this case.”
“The FBI is focused on preventing violent hate crime attacks and disrupting violent criminal plots, before they occur," said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. "Once the concerned citizen reached out to 1-800-CALL-FBI to report this situation, FBI Special Agents in Birmingham and New Orleans, and our partners in the U.S. Army, acted swiftly in this case. This is a perfect example of how the public is law enforcement's greatest partner."
According to court documents, FBI’s National Threat Operations Center received an online tip in February 2026 about a Discord user named “el.bostino” who had made threats toward synagogues. FBI secured recorded audio from Discord in which the individual, later determined to be Marcoulier, made these threats, stating among other things that “after this deployment if the Jews still have reign over our government, I am going to walk into a synagogue with my AK, with a 75-round drum mag, and all of my extra mags, with my level four plates, and my haka helmet that’s three plus, and I am going to kill every single Jew I know inside of that synagogue. And that’s my goal in life.” Marcoulier went on to emphasize the seriousness of his threats, saying among other things that “you guys will never do anything about but I will. I just have to finish this, I have to go back overseas and do what I have to do. And then you'll see me in the news. I promise you,” and that “you guys don’t want to do anything for the f[***]ing cause when it actually needs to happen … I’ll still kill these mother[***]ers in order to make sure the white youth is f[***]ing secured.” Marcoulier was arrested on April 23.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The FBI investigated this case alongside the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (DACID). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Nickel with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is 26-mj-00108-01.
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CONTACT: Public Affairs [email protected]
United States Attorney’s Office www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Western District of Louisiana Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Shreveport Man Whose House Shamar Elkins Fled to Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearms While under Domestic Violence InjunctionRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT– On April 23, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana charged Michael Mayence, a 54-year-old Shreveport resident, by criminal complaint with illegally possessing a firearm while being subject to a domestic violence injunction. Mayence faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the charge.
“Shamar Elkins’ heinous acts have shined a bright light on the danger that domestic violence presents, and the fact that he fled to the home of a man who himself illegally possessed firearms while being subject to a domestic violence order reflects the need to deter this illegal conduct,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “This ongoing investigation shows our Office’s commitment alongside our law enforcement partners to fully investigate this tragic situation.”
“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)’s mission is to prevent, reduce, and solve violent crime, especially firearm related violence,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “This arrest by ATF is to prevent further risk to the public from an individual who is prohibited to have firearms and demonstrated to law enforcement, through the ongoing mass shooting investigation, as a continued threat to public safety.”
After committing a mass shooting on April 19, 2026, Shamar Elkins fled from law enforcement to his associate Mayence’s home in Bossier Parish. After the scene was made safe, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Mayence’s home, which revealed that several firearms were inside the home. A review of Mayence’s criminal history revealed that he had been subject to an active domestic violence protection order since October 2024, with the order having been served on Mayence in December 2024 and lasting until May 2026, all of which prohibits him from possessing firearms under federal law.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
ATF investigated this case alongside the Louisiana State Police, Shreveport Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is 26-mj-00107-01.
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CONTACT: Public Affairs [email protected]
United States Attorney’s Office www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Western District of Louisiana Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Shreveport Man Arrested and Charged in Connection with Shamar Elkins Securing Firearm to Commit Mass ShootingRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT– On April 21, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana charged Charles Ford, a 56-year-old Shreveport resident, by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and making a false statement to federal agents, with the firearm and false statement charges relating to a firearm that Shamar Elkins used to perpetrate his April 19 mass shooting. Ford faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the felon-in-possession charge and up to five years in federal prison for the false statement charge.
“Words fall short in the face of the acts Shamar Elkins perpetrated in Shreveport on April 19—they are beyond comprehension or description. Our law enforcement partners are investigating every angle of how this tragedy came to occur, and this case arises from that investigation—in particular, how Elkins secured a firearm that he used to execute his own children,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Elkins’ death means that our community will never see him face justice. Our hope, as we continue to investigate and prosecute this case alongside our law enforcement partners, is that holding the person whose gun Elkins used to perpetrate the crime accountable will give some small bit of solace to our Shreveport community.”
“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) is engaged and committed to holding people accountable for illegal possession and use of firearms that harm our community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “Holding people accountable does not stop with the person who pulled the trigger but also includes those who give access to and proliferate firearms that are later used in violent crime.”
According to allegations set forth in court documents, ATF and the Shreveport Police Department began investigating a firearms trace on the rifle below, which Elkins used to perpetrate his mass shooting:
When law enforcement interviewed the original purchaser, that person identified Ford as the person to whom she’d given it. Ford, a convicted felon not permitted to possess firearms, initially lied to ATF agents about possessing the firearm, claiming he never did. Ford later admitted that he did possess the firearm, claiming that he kept the firearm under his seat. Ford further admitted to believing that Elkins took possession of the firearm.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
ATF investigated this case alongside the Louisiana State Police, Shreveport Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is 26-mj-00104-01.
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CONTACT: Public Affairs [email protected]
United States Attorney’s Office www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Western District of Louisiana Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Leesville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Setting Wildfires in Kisatchie National ForestRead the Press Release
LEESVILLE, Louisiana – On April 9, 2026, Clinton Nathaniel Johnson, a 37-year-old Leesville resident, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison and immediately remanded to federal custody after previously pleading guilty to a felony for intentionally setting wildfires in the Kisatchie National Forest. In addition to his prison sentence, Johnson was ordered to pay $39,094 in restitution for fire response costs and will serve two years of supervised release following his release from federal prison.
“Wildfires pose a grave threat to life and property, and there must be consequences for anyone reckless enough to intentionally set them,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Our community is extremely fortunate that no injuries or property damage resulted from the 19 illegal fires set by Mr. Johnson, and we are grateful to our firefighters and first responders for their swift and effective actions. This case shows our Office’s commitment alongside our law enforcement partners to identify perpetrators of this reckless and dangerous crime and hold those perpetrators accountable with felony charges.”
The following photo depicts one of the fires that Mr. Johnson set:
Evidence presented in court showed that approximately 19 intentional fires were ignited in the Kisatchie National Forest between May and July 2025 that investigators linked to Johnson through patterns such as distinctive stormproof matches that were recovered at multiple scenes. Several of these fires burned significant portions of the Kisatchie, including three fires that separately consumed approximately 150 acres, 75 acres, and 35 acres. Thanks to the rapid response and coordinated efforts of federal and state fire personnel, all fires were contained without injury or structural damage.
In August 2025, federal and state agents executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence. Agents located the same brand and type of stormproof matches recovered at the fire scenes during the search, and investigators also recovered video evidence showing Johnson purchasing the matches. Johnson later admitted to igniting the fires by throwing matches from his vehicle while traveling on roads through the forest.
The United States Forest Service investigated this case with assistance from the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was investigated and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers P. Namie with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Denise Duhon and Ginger Green.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 2:25-cr-00237-01.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Columbia Men Charged with Arson After Destroying Caldwell Parish’s Only Catholic Church the Friday Before Holy WeekRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT– On April 1, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana charged Anthony Dillon, Jr., 19, and James Dale Smith IV, 21, both of Columbia, with arson after the two burned down the only Catholic church in Caldwell Parish the Friday before Holy Week was set to begin. If convicted, the two men face a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of federal supervision, and a fine of $250,000.
“Worshiping where we choose is a fundamental liberty woven into the founding fabric of this Nation, and these two men are alleged to have destroyed the sole church in Caldwell Parish where its Catholic residents could meet and worship right before the holiest week in the church calendar,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Our Office looks forward to seeking and securing justice for the residents of Caldwell Parish here and hope that this case shows our rural communities that we remain present and vigilant in serving and protecting them.”
As alleged in court documents, Dillon and Smith were residing in a home that was stealing electricity from the church and sold a broken television set to another Columbia resident in the days leading up to the arson. After the church disrupted the electricity theft and the men’s customer contacted them about the broken television, Dillon and Smith showed up to the church in the early hours of March 27, 2026, breaking a window with a baseball bat to gain entry to the church. After ransacking the church’s electronic equipment, including the theft of at least three televisions and a sound system, the men set the church ablaze. When law enforcement arrived after a 911 call reported the church to be on fire, they found the church burning down:
By the time the fire was extinguished, the church’s interior was largely destroyed:
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is investigating this case with assistance from the Louisiana State Fire Marshal, the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Joanne Henry-Mills.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 26-mj-00089.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Former Secretary of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Take Illegal Kickbacks to Award Government ContractsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– On March 31, 2026, former Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (“LDWF”) Jack Montoucet pled guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States by corruptly soliciting and accepting kickbacks in return for being influenced in awarding state contracts and committing wire fraud. Montoucet faces up to five years in federal prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
“The citizens of Louisiana deserve and demand honesty and integrity from those entrusted with public office, including when they contract for services on behalf of our Louisiana communities,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Officeholders like Mr. Montoucet who abuse that trust undermine confidence in government and the public contracting process, and our Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prosecute these abuses and see that offenders face justice.”
"Mr. Montoucet helped a co-conspirator get a lucrative state contract to provide online courses for kickbacks," said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. "Thankfully, there are still good people out there who reached out to the FBI and local law enforcement to report this illegal activity. The FBI and our partners will continue to ensure public officials honor the public’s trust."
“Public officials are entrusted with serving the people – not enriching themselves. Today’s guilty plea makes clear that the defendant abused that trust by engaging in a scheme to manipulate the contract process and steer contracts for personal gain,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office Special Agent in Charge Demetrius D. Hardeman. “We will continue to work in concert with our partner organizations and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold accountable those who exploit their official positions for personal profit.”
According to court documents, Montoucet agreed, while Secretary of the LDWF, to steer a LDWF contract to a company called DGL1, LLC, in exchange for one-third of the profit that would result from the contract, with the other two-thirds divided between Montoucet’s two conspirators, Dusty Guidry and Leonard Franques. On January 27, 2021, Montoucet caused LDWF to award a no-bid contract to DGL1 to provide online hunter and boater education courses. Then, when the Louisiana Department of Administration, Office of Special Procurement raised concerns about the no-bid contract, the LDWF put out a public bid for the contract that Montoucet influenced for DGL1 to win. Then, on October 8, 2021, Montoucet acted on behalf of LDWF as Secretary to sign a contract with DGL1 to provide the hunter and boater classes, knowing he was to receive bribery kickbacks from the contract. A month later, Montoucet met with Franques and Guidry to discuss how to conceal and disguise the source, ownership, and payout of these kickbacks, with the parties agreeing that Franques would hold Montoucet’s portion until after he’d departed LDWF and then pay it to him as a “signing bonus” to Montoucet for consulting work.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Myers P. Namie, Lauren L. Nickel, and LaDonte A. Murphy, along with Trial Attorney Alex Dempsey of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice and with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 25-cr-00134.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Five Recent Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) Cases Disrupt Significant Drug Trafficking Operations by Illegal Aliens and Others Across Louisiana’s Western DistrictRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, LA – Today, United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller, together with federal partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced five significant HSTF drug trafficking cases charged by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana (“USAO”) that it charged between mid-February and mid-March and that involved the arrest of illegal aliens and local gang members who were trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine in the District.
“The five HSTF cases we’re announcing today, which involve over a dozen defendants and hundreds of kilograms of hard drugs, show how our federal and state partners are disrupting major drug trafficking operations that impact every corner of this District,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Our Office is laser-focused on HSTF’s mission to stamp out every foothold that transnational criminal organizations like the Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel and Gulf Cartel make in peddling poisons like fentanyl and methamphetamine in our communities. And for traffickers still operating in our Louisiana communities, the message here is simple: we’re doing everything we can to come for you, and when we do you’re going to be facing charges that can land you in prison for decades.”
“The Homeland Security Task Forces led by FBI and HSI integrate federal, state, and local law enforcement to focus targeted investigations on Foreign Terrorist Organization-designated drug cartels and transnational gangs," said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. "This criminal organization led by Mr. Baker tried to flood our streets with illegal drugs and poison our people. However, the HSTF is effectively rooting these groups out of Louisiana.”
“Whether it is concealed in ice cream machines or hidden in the cab of an 18-wheeler, the DEA and our partners are seeing right through the deceptive tactics of these criminal organizations,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer. “Removing nearly 550 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine from the supply chain in just two stops is a massive victory for public safety. We remain relentless in our mission to dismantle these networks and protect our communities from the violence and addiction these traffickers bring to our doorstep.”
“Investigations like this one show the power of true partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright, Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans. “Working with the Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Task Force and the DEA, HSI helped take 15 kilograms of cocaine off the streets and ensure the defendants in this case will face justice. Whether narcotics are crossing our borders or transiting through the United States, HSI will continue to use the HSTF model and our vital partnerships to follow the evidence, dismantle cartel-driven networks, and protect our communities from the violence and devastation caused by illegal drugs.”
The following five cases build upon HSTF’s cases in the Vernon Parish and Natchitoches areas that the USAO has prosecuted recently:
In the Shreveport area, the matter United States v. Willie Baker et al., No. 25-cr-00296, involves 10 defendants trafficking kilogram quantities of fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and methamphetamine from transnational criminal organizations through Houston and ultimately to Shreveport. This case charges that one death resulted from the fentanyl trafficking and that two of the defendants, including Willie Lee Baker, have prior drug trafficking convictions that expose them to higher mandatory minimum and maximum penalties. If convicted, the defendants face sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment. The case is being investigated by FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Shreveport Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and Sam Crichton with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Denise Duhon.
The following images depict some of the narcotics and guns involved in this case:
In Breaux Bridge area, the matter United States v. Ranulfo Garcia Rodriguez and Christian Antonio Sanchez Ramirez, No. 26-cr-00070, involves two Mexican nationals towing several ice cream freezers concealing several fabricated metal boxes, which were welded to the back wall of the insulated freezer compartment. Inside of the metal boxes, agents located approximately 147 kilograms of methamphetamine. If convicted, the defendants face sentences that range from 10 years to life in federal prison. The matter is being investigated by the DEA and Louisiana State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Vermaelen with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
The following images depict the ice cream machine and the methamphetamine it was concealing:
In the Lafayette area, the matter United States v. Lance Fields and Ronald Adams, Jr., No. 26-cr-00102, involves an 18-wheeler found to be trafficking approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine, concealed in a hidden compartment inside of the cab of the 18-wheeler. If convicted, the defendants face sentences that range from 10 years to life in federal prison. The matter is being investigated by the DEA and Louisiana State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Vermaelen with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
The following are a few images of the cocaine recovered in this investigation:
In the Lake Charles area, the matter United States v. Juan Francisco Gonzalez de Leon et al., No. 26-cr-00106, involves two Mexican nationals conspiring with another person to traffic approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine on behalf of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG). The three were stopped by members of the Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Taskforce (“CAT”) and arrested in February and then indicted in March. The matter is being investigated by HSI and CAT and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte Murphy with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
The following is an image of the cocaine recovered in this investigation:
In the Alexandria area, the matter United States v. Elijah Jones, No. 26-cr-00074, involves the trafficking of approximately 6.2 kilograms of fentanyl, 2 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 1 kilogram of oxycodone pills, as well as approximately $34,000 in cash, that were concealed in a storage unit in Alexandria. The matter is being investigated by FBI and the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement group at the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Vermaelen with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
The following is an image of the narcotics and cash recovered in this investigation:
These cases reflect the USAO’s ongoing priority to vigorously enforce federal laws designed to protect law enforcement officers, our judicial process, and those who serve the administration of justice. Federal law provides significant penalties for threats, assaults, and obstruction of officers and court personnel, and those who violate these statutes will be held accountable.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Region 15 (New Orleans) comprises agents and officers from multiple law enforcement agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana.
Indictments are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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CONTACT
Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Former Manager of Lafayette Medical Clinic Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More Than $500k from EmployerRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– On March 16, 2026, Brooke Miller Duck (formerly “Brooke Miller Tauzin”), a 31-year-old resident of Midland, Texas (and former resident of Arnaudville, Louisiana), pled guilty to embezzling more than $500,000 from her medical clinic employer to make personal purchases. Duck now faces up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud.
“Brooke Duck now faces justice after spending years betraying the trust of her employer and treating that employer’s bank accounts like her own personal slush fund,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Frauds perpetrated by people like Mrs. Duck erode the trust that our Louisiana small businesses need to perform their critical work, and our Office stands ready to prosecute those abuses.”
According to court documents, Duck was employed by two medical clinics with offices in Lafayette and Baton Rouge and had access to the clinics’ credit cards and bank accounts. Between May 2020 and October 2023, Duck used the clinics’ credit cards for unauthorized, personal expenses and purchases, including a $15,000 payment for a time-share vacation property. She then used funds drawn from the clinics’ bank accounts to pay the credit card balances associated with those purchases. Over the course of her scheme, Duck caused $539,451.41 in unauthorized transactions on the clinics’ credit cards for her personal use and financial gain.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Lafayette Police Department investigated the case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Daniel Siefker, Jr., with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Denise Duhon.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 6:26-cr-00096.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
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Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Shreveport Man Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Stalking and Threatening Speaker of the House of Representatives and Threatening President of the United StatesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT– On March 3, 2026, a federal grand jury in Shreveport returned a three-count indictment charging Justin Chadwick Butler, a 31-year-old Shreveport resident, with cyberstalking and threatening the Speaker of the House of Representatives and threatening the President of the United States. Butler faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and three years of supervised release for each count.
“Threats against public officials and our Nation’s leaders are threats to our democracy and our American way of life, and we will not tolerate them,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “For those who would use the mask of internet anonymity to threaten others, the message here is clear: our many state and federal law enforcement partners will track you down, and you will face justice.”
According to court documents, Butler used social media accounts to make a slew of menacing posts directed toward the Speaker while often tagging the Speaker’s social media account directly. These postings included stating, for example, that the Speaker “couldnt [sic] lie so smoothly with bullet holes in his face,” that the Speaker “is a traitor. Death to traitors,” and that Butler “really hope[s] I see lots of dead ICE agents and Traitor Mike with a patriotic bullet through his lying face soon” while also writing that he “think[s] holes in traitors faces is the next step.” Butler further wrote of the Speaker and the President that “[a] real patriot would kill some of these traitors” and that he and others would “drop those two traitors.”
The United States Capitol Police, the United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, the United States Marshals Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Gaskins with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 26-CR-00088.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
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Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Former Abbeville Resident and Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Child Sex OffensesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– On February 26, 2026, David Fail, a 43-year-old former Abbeville resident, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after his August 2025 conviction by a federal jury for transporting and possessing child sexual abuse materials (“CSAM”).
“Recidivist child sex predators are among the most dangerous people in our society, seeking out and victimizing our children to satisfy their own sick desires,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “This case shows that law enforcement will find these predators in the dark corners of the Internet where they hide and that their crimes will land them behind bars for decades when they’re caught.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that Fail, who had been convicted for possessing and receiving child pornography in 2006 and for sexually exploiting a minor in 2013, was the subject of a cybertip provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that he maintained an online, cloud-based storage account where he had uploaded more than 100 files containing CSAM. Law enforcement agents were able to identify Fail through his use of unique internet protocol addresses as well as information known to law enforcement through the State of Louisiana’s State Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The United States Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations, and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated this case with assistance and cooperation from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon II and former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 6:24-CR-00050-001.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Lake Charles Resident and Participant in Nihilistic Violent Extremist Group Indicted for Stalking, Threatening, and “Swatting” a Minor and Her Family and for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– On February 18, 2026, a federal grand jury in Lafayette returned two indictments against CARTER MILES LEDOUX, a 19-year-old Lake Charles resident. One indictment charges LEDOUX with stalking, threatening, and “swatting” a minor girl and her family after the girl made a social media post that indicated support for interracial relationships, and for conspiring with members of his Nihilistic Violent Extremist (“NVE”) group to do the same. LEDOUX was separately indicted for possessing child pornography after a search of his smartphone showed him to possess child sexual abuse materials that included toddlers being sexually abused.
“NVE groups are a serious threat to our communities—rural and urban alike—and prey upon our most vulnerable people—particularly young girls—to commit their evil acts,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Stamping out these groups lies at the heart of the Department of Justice’s commitment to make our communities safe, and our Office looks forward to achieving justice for the victim in this case and to showing those who would perpetrate similar acts that the only place in society for them is behind bars.”
“The FBI will not abide threats to children,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI's New Orleans Field Office. “Nihilistic Violent Extremists terrorize families every day and those perpetrators should know that we are working diligently with our partners to find, investigate, and prosecute them.”
According to court documents, NVE groups engage in criminal conduct within the United States and abroad in furtherance of political, social, or religious goals that derive primarily from a hatred of society and a desire to bring about its collapse by sowing chaos, destruction, and social instability, and a subset of NVE individuals and groups focus on racially motivated violence. Acting with other members of one of these NVE groups, LEDOUX targeted a minor girl in response to her posting in support of interracial relationships by (1) finding the contact and location information for the minor girl and her parents, (2) using anonymizing internet services to send threatening text messages to the girl’s family, (3) using those same anonymizing internet services to “swat” her family’s home by placing a hoax phone call to law enforcement claiming, among other things, that the caller supposedly located at the minor girl’s home had pipe bombs and would kill any officer who responded to the call, and (4) making publicly available social media posts glorifying the attack. After LEDOUX’s arrest, a search of his smartphone revealed child sexual abuse materials that included depictions of the sexual abuse of toddlers.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Saint Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Johnson with assistance from Legal Assistant Emily Lanphier.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case numbers for these matters are 26-cr-00068 and 26-cr-00069.
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CONTACT: Public Affairs [email protected]
United States Attorney’s Office www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Western District of Louisiana Twitter @USAO_WDLA
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller Highlights Seven Recent Prosecutions Involving Threats and Assaults Against Federal Law Enforcement and Public OfficialsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, LA – Today, United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller highlights a series of recent prosecutions undertaken by the Office that reflect its ongoing commitment to protecting federal law enforcement officers and public officials, to safeguarding the integrity of the judicial process, and to holding accountable those who threaten, assault, or seek to interfere with the administration of justice.
“Every attack or threat against our law enforcement officers, our public officials, or our courts is an attack on the rule of law itself,” said U.S. Attorney Keller. “These arrests, indictments, and convictions show our Office’s commitment alongside our federal partners to vigorously pursue and prosecute those who perpetrate these acts.”
The following seven ongoing cases show the Office’s commitment to ensuring the safety of our federal law enforcement officers and public officials:
Justin Chadwick Butler, 31 of Shreveport, was arrested by criminal complaint on February 13, 2026, after posting repeated violent threats on social media targeting Speaker Mike Johnson and the President Donald Trump. These charges came after authorities identified several social media posts in which Butler advocated for Speaker Johnson’s death or execution, including stating for example that “Mike Johnson couldnt [sic] lie so smoothly with bullet holes in his face.” Butler faces up to 10 years in prison for the charges currently pending. The matter is being investigated by the United States Capitol Police, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, FBI and United States Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Gaskins with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.
Avieyle Moore, 40 of Jackson Parish, who was incarcerated at the time of the offense, pled guilty on January 30, 2026, to mailing a threatening letter to the Supreme Court of the United States that falsely claimed to be laced with fentanyl that would kill its reader. The letter, which contained approximately one tablespoon of a white, powdery substance and stated, “IF You Are Reading this you are gonna die soon because this letter is laced with Fentanyl!!”, caused the evacuation of the Supreme Court’s warehouse facility and prompted a hazardous materials response. Moore faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and three years of supervised release. The matter was investigated by the United States Supreme Court Police, United States Secret Service and the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Reeg with assistance from Legal Assistant Stevie Hickman.
Alex Taylor Fontenot, 27 of Lake Charles, was indicted on February 4, 2026, after allegedly posting a social media video threatening Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) agents. In the video, Fontenot allegedly stated that if ICE agents “step foot on to my house, you’re leaving in a body bag” and that they would “be dropped like flies, immediately, so [they] won’t feel a thing.” If convicted, Fontenot faces up to five years in federal prison and three years of supervised release. The matter is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel with assistance from Legal Assistant Dru Casebonne.
Justice Hunter, 41 of Alexandria, was indicted on February 4, 2026, following his January arrest for striking a Courtroom Security Officer (“CSO”) at the United States Federal Courthouse in Alexandria, Louisiana. According to court documents, Hunter stood outside the courthouse yelling profanities and making statements about a coming revolution before entering the building and continuing to act disruptively. After refusing repeated orders to leave, Hunter allegedly struck a CSO in the face and resisted officers attempting to detain him. If convicted, Hunter faces up to 20 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release. The matter is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
Matthew Reardon, 38 of Oxford, Mississippi, was convicted at trial on January 16, 2026, of disorderly conduct after he repeatedly obstructed the entrance to the John M. Shaw Federal Courthouse in Lafayette, Louisiana and harassed CSOs in an escalating pattern of conduct while refusing to leave the premises. Reardon faces up to 30 days in prison. The matter is being investigated by the United States Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte Murphy with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
Maximiliano Perez-Perez, 22 of Mexico, is detained pending trial after he was indicted in December 2025 for biting an ICE officer while being detained for being an illegal alien subject to removal. Perez-Perez faces up to 20 years in prison as well as three years of supervised release. The matter is being investigated by ICE and Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorneys Craig Bordelon II and Lauren Sarver with assistance from Legal Assistant Dru Casebonne.
Micah James Legnon, 29, of New Iberia, is detained pending trial after being charged by criminal complaint in December 2025 for allegedly making a threat against New Orleans-based ICE officers. On December 5, 2025, Legnon allegedly posted that it was “time to recreate Waco TX with these f***ers,” and one week later allegedly drove toward New Orleans with body armor, an assault rifle, a handgun, and a gas cannister. A subsequent search of his residence resulted in the seizure of additional weapons, ammunition, and tactical training materials. The investigation remains ongoing, is being investigated by the FBI, and is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller and Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel with assistance from Legal Assistant Dru Casebonne.
These cases reflect the Office’s ongoing priority to vigorously enforce federal laws designed to protect law enforcement officers, our judicial process, and those who serve the administration of justice. Federal law provides significant penalties for threats, assaults, and obstruction of officers and court personnel, and those who violate these statutes will be held accountable.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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CONTACT
Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
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Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Eleven Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Linked to Gulf Cartel Indicted for Drug Trafficking in Central LouisianaRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – On January 21, 2025, a federal grand jury in Lafayette, Louisiana returned a 12-count indictment charging eleven alleged members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine in the Western District of Louisiana. On January 29, 2026, all eleven defendants were taken into custody by federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
“Drug traffickers working with transnational criminal organizations like the Gulf Cartel endanger urban and rural communities alike, and this case shows that rural communities like Vernon Parish will not tolerate these groups peddling the poisons of fentanyl, meth, and other hard drugs in their community,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “This case shows our Office’s commitment alongside our federal and state partners to disrupt these groups attempting to gain a foothold in our District’s many rural communities, and we will remain vigilant in identifying and prosecuting the criminals who would push these drugs into the lives of our District’s citizens.”
The investigation began when FBI New Orleans, Alexandria RA, opened an investigation into a neighborhood-based gang in early 2025. The local gang is alleged to import large amounts of illegal drugs from Gulf Cartel sources of supply in Mexico. During the first week of November, FBI seized approximately 25 pounds of methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine, 2,000 fentanyl pills, one pill press, $125,000 in U.S. currency, $28,000 in gold bars, and other contraband.
According to the indictment, beginning at a time unknown but from at least on or about July 11, 2024, to November 2, 2025, the defendants intentionally conspired with each other to unlawfully possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, or 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The indictment also alleges seven of the defendants conspired with each other to unlawfully possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. Six alleged DTO members face separated possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances charges including one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. The indictment also charges two individuals with the Illegal Use of a Communication Facility to further a Drug Transaction in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b).
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Louisiana State Police (LSP); Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office (SPSO); and Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office (VPSO). Assistant United States Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy and Legal Assistant Christy Angelle are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in drug trafficking. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 24-CR-00249.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
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Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted for Trafficking Fentanyl in Natchitoches ParishRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT– On December 3, 2025, a federal grand jury in Shreveport returned an indictment charging the following five individuals for their roles in trafficking fentanyl and in around Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana:
Kedrick Donell Moses, a 49-year-old resident of Alexandria;
Edward Paige, a.k.a. “Pooh,” a 43-year-old resident of Natchitoches;
Donovan Solitaire, a.k.a. “NuFive,” “Five,” and “Nuda,” a 26-year-old resident of Natchez;
Quenderrick Williams, a.k.a. “Bing,” a 27-year-old resident of Pineville; and
Raven Gray, a 23-year-old resident of Natchez.
“Fentanyl and the criminals who peddle it present an extreme danger to our communities, city and rural alike,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Our Office will continue to work with our federal and state partners to eliminate the transnational criminal organizations that are spreading this poison across our communities and to ensure that the criminals working for these groups are off the street and facing justice.”
According to court documents, beginning on or about January 1, 2025, and continuing through June 30, 2025, Solitaire obtained fentanyl from Moses, Williams, and Paige. Once Solitaire obtained the supply of fentanyl, he stored and distributed the drug from his and Gray’s home in Natchez.
Moses, Paige, Solitaire, and Williams are charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. Solitaire is also charged along with Gray with Maintaining a Drug Premises. If convicted, Moses, Solitaire, and Williams face a minimum of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison. Paige, who has a prior serious felony drug conviction, faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. Gray faces up to 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaDonte Murphy and Jessica Cassidy with assistance from Legal Assistants Emily Favrot and Christy Angelle and Legal Administrative Specialist Laura Bourque.
This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in drug trafficking. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 1:25-cr-00346.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Lafayette Father and Daughters Sentenced for Yearslong Conspiracy to Defraud Federal Child Nutrition ProgramRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– On February 3, 2025, Brian Paul Desormeaux, a 64-year-old Lafayette resident, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for his role leading a yearslong conspiracy to defraud a federal nutrition assistance program operated by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). His co-conspirator daughters, Amy Desormeaux Hernandez, a 38-year-old Lafayette resident, and Lenzi Desormeaux Babineaux, a 35-year-old Lafayette resident, were each sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison after their convictions for wire fraud as well, with Babineaux sentenced in November 2024 and Hernandez sentenced on the same day as her father.
“The Desormeauxs’ shameful scheme stole food out of the mouths of Louisiana’s children to satisfy their own greed, and they’re now heading to federal prison as a result,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Protecting Louisiana’s children from financial and other abuses is one of our Office’s core missions, and this case shows our commitment, alongside our federal and state partners, to investigate and prosecute these crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The Desormeauxs stole half a million dollars of money that was allocated to help hungry children and adults in Louisiana, and we will not tolerate that criminal behavior," said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. "The FBI is committed to work with our state and federal partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office to root out fraud in Louisiana and make sure those responsible are held to account.”
“The defendants exploited the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program intended to provide nutritious meals to children in need. They fraudulently claimed to administer the assistance at childcare programs and instead used it as a vehicle for personal financial gain. The USDA Office of Inspector General remains committed to protecting the integrity of USDA nutrition programs and safeguarding taxpayer dollars. We appreciate the strong partnership of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in holding those who commit fraud accountable,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk.
According to court documents, Desormeaux was the executive director of Regional Nutrition Assistance, Inc., a non-profit sponsoring organization for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, a federal program operated by the USDA and administered by the Louisiana Department of Education. Over the course of roughly five years, Desormeaux and his daughters, Hernandez and Babineaux, submitted fraudulent claims for reimbursement from the federal government that involved, among other things, creating and submitting false state fire marshal inspection reports, which were required for reimbursement by the program, and submitting claims for alleged providers who they knew were not active and participating in the program. Desormeaux and his two daughters diverted these fraudulently obtained reimbursements for their own personal use and benefit, with the defendants receiving over $500,000.00 in federal funds that they were not entitled to.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana Office of Inspector General, and the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren L. Nickel with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 6:25-cr-00092.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects over $8 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions and Forfeitures in FY 2025Read the Press Release
LAFAYETTE - U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana collected $7,695,567 in criminal and civil actions, as well as $420,268 in asset forfeiture actions, in Fiscal Year 2025. Of this amount, $2,410,275 was collected in criminal actions and $5,285,291 was collected in civil actions. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
The Office also worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $637,270 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $2,946 was collected in criminal actions and $634,323 was collected in civil actions.
“These collections demonstrate our Office’s commitment to holding individuals and entities accountable for violations of federal law and restoring lost funds to victims,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Our Office remains focused on securing restitution for victims, protecting public funds, and working with our partners to promote public trust in the justice system.”
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
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CONTACT
Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
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Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Louisiana Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Killing Lafayette Parish Woman in Armed CarjackingRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – On January 27, 2026, Brandon Jermaine Francisco, 39, of Mansura, Louisiana was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to committing a carjacking that resulted in the death of victim E.G., a Lafayette Parish woman who had been missing for three years.
“Today’s sentence ensures that the defendant will spend the rest of his life in federal prison for a brutal and senseless crime,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “While no prison sentence can repay or erase the loss suffered by the victim’s family, including her young children, this case reflects our commitment alongside our state and federal partners to hold violent offenders accountable and pursue justice for victims.”
“Convicted carjacker Brandon Jermaine Francisco will be permanently removed from society and unable to hurt the people of Louisiana ever again," said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI's New Orleans Field Office. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victim, and we are so sorry for your loss. We are very grateful for our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana and the Louisiana State Police and the FBI Special Agents who relentlessly pursued justice for the innocent victim of this awful crime.”
While pleading guilty, Francisco admitted to the following facts: Francisco carjacked the victim, an Uber and Lyft driver, on March 9, 2022, while attempting to avoid an attempted murder charge in Louisiana. Francisco contacted E.G. about transportation to Missouri, and the two agreed that E.G. would meet him in Lafayette, Louisiana, and E.G. would drive him as far as Houston, Texas. After leaving Houston, the two headed eastbound back into Louisiana. Around Iowa, Louisiana, Francisco took control of the vehicle, shot E.G. several times, and disposed of her body before fleeing with the vehicle, ultimately reaching Missouri. Francisco was arrested in Missouri while possessing the firearm that killed E.G. as well as the key fob to E.G.’s vehicle roughly two weeks later, on March 25, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, St. Joseph’s Police Department, Bedford Police Department, and Scott Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John W. Nickel and Casey N. Stelly are prosecuting the case with assistance from Legal Assistant Dru Casebonne.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 24-CR-00249.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
District Court Judges Appoint Zachary Keller as U.S. AttorneyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– On January 27, 2026, Zachary A. Keller was re-sworn as the United States Attorney of the Western District of Louisiana (WDLA) by Chief Judge Terry A. Doughty after the district court judges for WDLA voted for him to continue in the United States Attorney role that he assumed in September 2025.
“Since beginning my service in September, I’ve woken up every morning with the mindset that serving Louisiana as United States Attorney is the most important and impactful public service I’ll ever perform,” said U.S. Attorney Keller. “I thank the WDLA district court judges for honoring me with the ability to continue serving my home community and helping to make it safe as U.S. Attorney.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Mr. Keller as interim U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana on September 29, 2025. Pursuant to the Vacancy Reform Act, the Attorney General may appoint a U.S. Attorney to serve on an interim basis for up to 120 days. After the allotted 120 days, the district court appoints a U.S. Attorney to serve until the confirmation of a presidentially appointed successor. As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Keller oversees the investigation and litigation of all criminal and civil cases brought on behalf of the United States in the Western District of Louisiana. The Western District encompasses 42 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes and approximately two-thirds of the state’s landmass.
A West Monroe native, Mr. Keller graduated from George Welch Elementary, West Monroe Middle School, and West Monroe High School before attending Louisiana State University and Yale Law School. After law school, Mr. Keller began his career at Jones Day’s Dallas office before beginning his work in public service in 2016. Prior to becoming U.S. Attorney, Mr. Keller served as a Deputy Chief and Project Safe Neighborhoods Coordinator in the Major Crimes section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, where he also served in the Civil, Appellate, and Criminal divisions and prosecuted crimes that ranged from manslaughter and carjacking to money laundering and child exploitation.
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CONTACT:
Public Affairs
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Former St. Mary Parish Teacher Indicted for Attempting to Entice One of Her Students to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – A federal grand jury in Lafayette returned an indictment on December 17, 2025, charging Katherine Albarado with attempted enticement of a minor. Albarado faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison for the charge.
“Protecting Louisiana’s children from abuse by people in positions of trust lies at the heart of our mission to make our Louisiana communities safe,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “The people entrusted with our children discharge one of the most sacred responsibilities that exists in our society, and our Office will continue working with our federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute those who violate that trust.”
According to information presented in court, Albarado was a high school teacher in St. Mary Parish in May 2022 when she began using her personal email account to communicate sexually explicit messages with a sixteen-year-old student whom she taught. Over a month’s time, Albarado continually tried to persuade the minor victim to engage in sexual activity with her. In addition to describing the sexual activity she wanted to do with the minor victim, Albarado also sent a video of herself undressing in an attempt to entice the minor.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Morgan City Police Department investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren L. Nickel with support from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 6:25-cr-00355.
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CONTACT
Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Justice Department Files False Claims Act Complaint Against Priority Hospital Group and Three Long Term Care HospitalsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — On Jan. 16, the United States filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Priority Hospital Group LLC (PHG), a Louisiana-based hospital management company, three PHG-managed long term care hospitals, and a doctor, alleging False Claims Act violations based on medically unnecessary care and patient referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law.
Long term care hospitals (LTCHs) provide inpatient hospital services for patients whose medically complex conditions require long hospital stays and programs of care. Medicare reimburses LTCHs based, in part, on a patient’s length of stay. According to the United States’ complaint, PHG and the LTCH defendants allegedly held patients in the hospital longer than medically necessary in order to increase their Medicare reimbursement. The United States alleges that PHG and the LTCH defendants delayed discharging certain patients, even when their course of treatment had been completed or when they could have been transferred to a lower level of care, because doing so would have resulted in lower payments from Medicare.
The United States’ complaint also alleges that one LTCH, Riverside Hospital of Louisiana, entered into medical directorship agreements with a doctor, and provided him other remuneration, to induce him to refer patients to Riverside in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law.
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration of items or services covered by Medicare and other federally funded programs. The Stark Law forbids a hospital from billing Medicare for certain services referred by physicians that have a financial relationship with the hospital. The Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law seek to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients.
“Medicare patients deserve to receive care based on their clinical needs, not the financial interests of a hospital or doctor,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department is committed to pursuing cases where financial interests have improperly influenced the medical decision-making of providers participating in federal health care programs.”
“Billing federal healthcare programs for medically unnecessary treatment undermines the viability of those programs and exploits our most vulnerable citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana. “Our Office will continue to combat fraudulent billing by unravelling these schemes and holding the perpetrators accountable.”
“Schemes that involve false claims and unlawful referrals erode the integrity of federal health care programs and betray the trust placed in providers,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “The False Claims Act is a critical tool for protecting Medicare and ensuring that patient care decisions are driven by medical necessity—not financial gain. HHS-OIG will continue to work with or partners to hold accountable those who put profits over patients.”
The LTCHs named in the United States’ complaint are: Riverside Hospital LLC and Riverside Hospital of Louisiana, Inc. (collectively doing business as Riverside Hospital); Post Acute Enterprises, LLC (doing business as Mid Jefferson Extended Care Hospital); and New Lifecare Hospital of North Louisiana, LLC (doing business as Ruston Regional Specialty Hospital).
The lawsuit was originally filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Michaela DeVos, a former employee of Riverside Hospital. Under the False Claims Act, private parties file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the recovery. The False Claims Act permits the United States to intervene in and take over the action, as it has done here. If a defendant is found liable for violating the False Claims Act, the United States may recover three times the amount of its losses plus applicable penalties.
The investigation and prosecution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this 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 Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana (W.D. La.) are handling the matter with assistance from HHS-OIG. The case is captioned United States ex rel. DeVos v. Priority Hospital Group LLC, et al., No. 20-cv-01041 (W.D. La.).
This case is being handled by Trial Attorney Emily Bussigel of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Theriot for the Western District of Louisiana.
The claims asserted in the complaint are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
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CONTACT
Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Justice Department Files False Claims Act Complaint Against Priority Hospital Group and Three Long Term Care HospitalsRead the Press Release
On Jan. 16, the United States filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Priority Hospital Group LLC (PHG), a Louisiana-based hospital management company, three PHG-managed long term care hospitals, and a doctor, alleging False Claims Act violations based on medically unnecessary care and patient referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law.
Long term care hospitals (LTCHs) provide inpatient hospital services for patients whose medically complex conditions require long hospital stays and programs of care. Medicare reimburses LTCHs based, in part, on a patient’s length of stay. According to the United States’ complaint, PHG and the LTCH defendants allegedly held patients in the hospital longer than medically necessary in order to increase their Medicare reimbursement. The United States alleges that PHG and the LTCH defendants delayed discharging certain patients, even when their course of treatment had been completed or when they could have been transferred to a lower level of care, because doing so would have resulted in lower payments from Medicare.
The United States’ complaint also alleges that one LTCH, Riverside Hospital of Louisiana, entered into medical directorship agreements with a doctor, and provided him other remuneration, to induce him to refer patients to Riverside in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law.
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration of items or services covered by Medicare and other federally funded programs. The Stark Law forbids a hospital from billing Medicare for certain services referred by physicians that have a financial relationship with the hospital. The Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law seek to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients.
“Medicare patients deserve to receive care based on their clinical needs, not the financial interests of a hospital or doctor,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department is committed to pursuing cases where financial interests have improperly influenced the medical decision-making of providers participating in federal health care programs.”
“Billing federal healthcare programs for medically unnecessary treatment undermines the viability of those programs and exploits our most vulnerable citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana. “Our Office will continue to combat fraudulent billing by unravelling these schemes and holding the perpetrators accountable.”
“Schemes that involve false claims and unlawful referrals erode the integrity of federal health care programs and betray the trust placed in providers,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “The False Claims Act is a critical tool for protecting Medicare and ensuring that patient care decisions are driven by medical necessity—not financial gain. HHS-OIG will continue to work with our partners to hold accountable those who put profits over patients.”
The LTCHs named in the United States’ complaint are: Riverside Hospital LLC and Riverside Hospital of Louisiana, Inc. (collectively doing business as Riverside Hospital); Post Acute Enterprises, LLC (doing business as Mid Jefferson Extended Care Hospital); and New Lifecare Hospital of North Louisiana, LLC (doing business as Ruston Regional Specialty Hospital).
The lawsuit was originally filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Michaela DeVos, a former employee of Riverside Hospital. Under the False Claims Act, private parties file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the recovery. The False Claims Act permits the United States to intervene in and take over the action, as it has done here. If a defendant is found liable for violating the False Claims Act, the United States may recover three times the amount of its losses plus applicable penalties.
The investigation and prosecution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this 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 Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana (W.D. La.) are handling the matter with assistance from HHS-OIG. The case is captioned United States ex rel. DeVos v. Priority Hospital Group LLC, et al., No. 20-cv-01041 (W.D. La.).
This case is being handled by Trial Attorney Emily Bussigel of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Theriot for the Western District of Louisiana.
The claims asserted in the complaint are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller Commends the Confirmation and Swearing-In of Former Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook as District Court Judge for the Western District of LouisianaRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– Alexander C. Van Hook has been confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the Western District of Louisiana. This confirmation comes after a long and impactful tenure as a prosecutor and supervisor in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. After being sworn in by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter, Mr. Van Hook began his service on the bench on January 13, 2026.
“Alec’s impact on the Office as a manager was profound and lasting, but people will remember him most as a prosecutor’s prosecutor and a lawyer’s lawyer—as someone who exemplifies the qualities that our society demands of its leaders in the criminal justice system,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “I have no doubt that Alec will carry his deep experience and the wisdom he’s gained into this new role in public service, continuing the work of achieving justice for our Louisiana community.”
Mr. Van Hook served in a variety of leadership positions in his 26+ years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Those roles including his leading the office as Acting U.S. Attorney during three separate timespans: from March 2017 to April 2018, from August 2020 to December 2021, and finally from January 2025 through September 2025. Mr. Van Hook also served as the Office’s Deputy Criminal Chief, First Assistant United States Attorney, and Special Counsel to the United States Attorney, as well as a line prosecutor who prosecuted and tried cases for many years.
Mr. Van Hook graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and from Louisiana State University Law School in 1997. After law school, Mr. Van Hook served as a law clerk for United States District Court Judge Tom Stagg in the Western District of Louisiana and then for Judge Henry A. Politz in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals before joining the Office in 1999.
Van Hook, 55, was nominated by President Trump on October 21, 2025, and the United States Senate confirmed his nomination on January 8, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
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CONTACT:
Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
U.S. Attorney’s Office Honors Legendary AUSA John Luke Walker and Victim-Witness Coordinator Vicki Chance for Their 30+ Years of ServiceRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana honors the retirement of Assistant United States Attorney John Luke Walker after 36 years of dedicated and decorated federal service and the departure of longtime and invaluable support staff member Vicki Chance, who will now continue her public service working for the federal district court after 33 years serving the Office.
“Luke and Vicki represent the best that public service has to offer: two people who have dedicated their lives to keeping their Louisiana community safe, with Luke standing up in court and Vicki working behind the scenes to advocate for victims of some of the most serious crimes that occur in our society,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Their tenures at the Office, each spanning well more than three decades, are models of integrity, professionalism, and devotion to justice that have shaped not just generations of prosecutors and staff in our Office but also their Louisiana communities as well.”
Luke’s storied career included taking down the “Dreamboard” child exploitation website through a case that involved a total of 72 defendants and that was also one of the earliest significant actions against online child sexual abuse. His career was also distinguished in prosecuting dozens of defendants preying upon children in Louisiana and elsewhere as well as prosecuting public corruption, including unraveling bribery schemes within Louisiana district attorney offices that had a huge impact on improving public trust in one of our most important public institutions. These efforts led to his being awarded the Department of Justice’s Child Protection Award in 2013 and a Director’s Award in 2017 for his combatting an illegal pay-for-plea program, but awards don’t do capture the full scope of his contribution to Louisiana: a consummate trial lawyer and model prosecutor, Luke’s most enduring contribution is the mentorship, leadership, and friendship that he provided the Office and dozens of prosecutors over his 36 years.
Vicki served as the Office’s victim-witness coordinator for nearly 20 years while often stepping up to perform other functions the Office needed, including writing press releases and organizing community events. Before her role as victim-witness coordinator, she worked for 13 years as the legal assistant to the U.S. Attorney and First Assistant U.S. Attorney. Like Luke, her legacy at the Office is most pronounced in the leadership, mentorship, and friendship that she provided to support staff members who make our Office’s mission possible to achieve over her 33 years of service.
The United States Attorney’s Office is only as strong and as dedicated to its mission and the public as its people: they are what make it possible for the Office to fulfill its mission to protect our Louisiana community. Luke and Vicki were and remain models to all of us for that service.
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Contact
Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Member of Anti-Capitalist and Anti-Government Group Arrested and Charged with Threatening ICE OfficersRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– On December 13, 2025, Micah James Legnon, 28, of New Iberia, Louisiana, was arrested on a criminal complaint filed in the Western District of Louisiana charging him with threatening Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
According to court documents, Legnon also known as Dark Witch and Kateri the Witch, is associated with the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group. Legnon’s association with TILF included participating in a chat called “Order of the Black Lotus,” in which Legnon discussed teaching other TILF members urban warfare while writing threatening messages about ICE officers there and on social media.
“This arrest reflects the Justice Department’s priority of disrupting and dismantling terrorist networks across the Nation,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will continue to aggressively target violent extremist groups like the Turtle Island Liberation Front, hold their proxies accountable, and ensure the American people—and the officers who protect them—can live without fear. Thank you to the US Attorney, Zachary Keller, in the Western District of Louisiana for his incredible work.”
“The FBI will not tolerate anyone who threatens law enforcement officers and will work with our partners to bring them to justice,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This defendant allegedly threatened ICE officers and had an assault rifle, body armor, and other items in his vehicle when he was arrested by local law enforcement. He is associated with the Turtle Island Liberation Front which espouses anti-government views. The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to protect the American people and those who wear the badge to protect our communities.”
“Groups like TILF are a menace to society and a threat to the values that make America the greatest nation on Earth,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “As we approach the one-year anniversary of the New Orleans New Year’s Day terror attack, the Louisiana U.S. Attorney’s Offices stand vigilant alongside the FBI and our other federal, state, and local partners to uncover and stop potential terrorist plots dead in their tracks. The swift and decisive action taken by the FBI’s California and Louisiana components and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office here exemplifies that commitment we all have to keeping Louisiana and our country safe.”
Legnon, who has a military background, was under surveillance by the FBI on December 12, 2025, due to his affiliation with TILF members plotting to bomb Los Angeles who were arrested that day. On December 12, FBI saw Legnon leaving his New Iberia residence with what appeared to be an assault rifle and body armor in his vehicle in an apparent effort to execute an attack. Legnon was stopped and arrested by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and one assault rifle, one pistol, one gas canister, and body armor were recovered from his vehicle. A federal search warrant executed on Legnon’s residence revealed sniper training manuals, SWAT training manuals, assault rifles, and multiple rounds of ammunition. This investigation is ongoing.
The FBI is investigating the case with valuable assistance from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel for the Western District of Louisiana is prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 6:25-mj-00229.
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Member of Anti-Capitalist and Anti-Government Group Arrested and Charged with Threatening ICE OfficersRead the Press Release
On Dec. 13, Micah James Legnon, 28, of New Iberia, Louisiana, was arrested on a criminal complaint filed in the Western District of Louisiana charging him with threatening Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
According to court documents, Legnon also known as Dark Witch and Kateri the Witch, is associated with the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group. Legnon’s association with TILF included participating in a chat called “Order of the Black Lotus,” in which Legnon discussed teaching other TILF members urban warfare while writing threatening messages about ICE officers there and on social media.
“This arrest reflects the Justice Department’s priority of disrupting and dismantling terrorist networks across the Nation,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will continue to aggressively target violent extremist groups like the Turtle Island Liberation Front, hold their proxies accountable, and ensure the American people—and the officers who protect them—can live without fear. Thank you to the US Attorney, Zachary Keller, in the Western District of Louisiana for his incredible work.”
“The FBI will not tolerate anyone who threatens law enforcement officers and will work with our partners to bring them to justice,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This defendant allegedly threatened ICE officers and had an assault rifle, body armor, and other items in his vehicle when he was arrested by local law enforcement. He is associated with the Turtle Island Liberation Front which espouses anti-government views. The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to protect the American people and those who wear the badge to protect our communities.”
“Groups like TILF are a menace to society and a threat to the values that make America the greatest nation on Earth,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana. “As we approach the one-year anniversary of the New Orleans New Year’s Day terror attack, the Louisiana U.S. Attorney’s Offices stand vigilant alongside the FBI and our other federal, state, and local partners to uncover and stop potential terrorist plots dead in their tracks. The swift and decisive action taken by the FBI’s California and Louisiana components and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office here exemplifies that commitment we all have to keeping Louisiana and our country safe.”
Legnon, who has a military background, was under surveillance by the FBI on Dec. 12, due to his affiliation with TILF members plotting to bomb Los Angeles who were arrested that day. On Dec. 12, FBI saw Legnon leaving his New Iberia residence with what appeared to be an assault rifle and body armor in his vehicle in an apparent effort to execute an attack. Legnon was stopped and arrested by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and one assault rifle, one pistol, one gas canister, and body armor were recovered from his vehicle. A federal search warrant executed on Legnon’s residence revealed sniper training manuals, SWAT training manuals, assault rifles, and multiple rounds of ammunition. This investigation is ongoing.
The FBI is investigating the case with valuable assistance from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel for the Western District of Louisiana is prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mexican National Illegally Present in the United States Indicted for Assault Causing Bodily Injury After Biting Federal AgentRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – A federal grand jury in Lafayette returned an indictment on December 17 charging Maximiliano Perez-Perez, a Mexican national illegally in the United States, with assaulting a federal officer and causing bodily injury. Perez-Perez faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the charge.
“If you injure a federal agent doing his or her job, then you’re going to jail—simple as that,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Law enforcement officers place themselves in harm’s way every day to make our community safe, and our Office stands ready to take swift action to punish and deter those who put them in danger.”
According to court documents, Perez-Perez, 22, was encountered by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE/ERO) officers on November 21, 2025, after the officers received a tip that a van would be transporting illegal immigrants in Louisiana. When the ICE/ERO officers attempted to detain Perez-Perez, he refused to exit the vehicle and grabbed onto the vehicle’s steering wheel. When the officers removed Perez-Perez, he then fled on foot. When the officers caught him, Perez-Perez resisted further by biting deeply into the hand of one of the ICE/ERO officers, drawing blood and leaving Perez-Perez with blood on his face from the officer’s injury.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon, II.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is currently pending assignment.
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Former Lafayette Assistant District Attorney Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE– On December 12, 2025, Gary Haynes, 67, of Lafayette, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison after his September conviction for conspiracy to engage in bribery, bribery, use of a facility interstate commerce in aid of bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and obstruction of justice.
“Prosecutors bear among the most consequential public trusts in our society, determining matters of liberty, accountability, and the pursuit of justice. Gary Haynes betrayed that system of trust to satisfy his own greed,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “This prosecution, which resulted from amazing work by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, shows the commitment our Office and the Department of Justice has to safeguarding the rule of law and ensuring that those who undermine it are held accountable.”
“Mr. Haynes betrayed the trust of the people of Louisiana when he traded his sacred honor for bribes,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field office. “The FBI and the US Attorney’s Office are committed to protecting the public from bribery schemes like this one that undermine faith in our great Republic.”
“As an Assistant District Attorney, Gary Haynes was entrusted to faithfully perform his duties on behalf of the public,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Instead of putting his public interest above personal gain, he misused his office to enrich himself through bribes and kickbacks from vendors. IRS Criminal Investigation special agents and our law enforcement partners will continue investigating and forwarding for prosecution those who fail to uphold ethics in the public trust.”
Evidence presented at the trial revealed that Haynes conspired with Dusty Guidry and Leonard Franques to solicit bribes and kickbacks and to accept things of value while working as an Assistant District Attorney at the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Haynes oversaw the D.A.’s Office’s Pretrial Intervention (PTI) program which was a program set up to provide an alternative to criminal prosecution for certain criminal offenders. Haynes approved defendants to participate in the program and then directed them to take classes from Franques’s companies. Those defendants paid money to take classes through Franques’s companies to complete the program and obtain dismissal of the criminal charges against them from Haynes. Haynes, Guidry, and Franques agreed that Haynes would receive kickbacks in exchange for accepting people into the PTI program, directing those people to Franques’s companies, and then dismissing the charges against the people who enrolled in and paid for the courses that Franques’s companies provided.
Haynes and his co-conspirators discussed several ways to conceal the nature of the money that Haynes would receive from the kickback scheme, including having Haynes reactivate a defunct company during the conspiracy to hide the proceeds from the kickbacks or potentially providing him with a new truck rather than funnel the kickbacks directly to him. Haynes directed a coconspirator to alter, destroy, and conceal documents and records to prevent their availability in a future proceeding.
The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation. The prosecution team included Assistant United States Attorneys John Luke Walker and John W. Nickel, and Steven Loew of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 24-cr-00206.
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Multi-Agency Investigation Results in Convictions of 20 Defendants for Decade-Long, Multi-Million Dollar Marijuana Trafficking and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT– A case that began as an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case in Shreveport has resulted in the conviction and sentencing of 20 defendants to a combined sentence of over 87 years in federal prison for a drug trafficking conspiracy involving thousands of pounds of marijuana that the conspirators sold for millions of dollars over the course of more than a decade.
“Organized drug trafficking is a menace to our communities, promoting lawlessness, violence, and addiction,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Dismantling these networks lies at the heart of our mission to make our Louisiana communities safe, and this case shows our Office’s ability to work with state, local, and federal law enforcement partners—here, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and Shreveport Police Department—to do precisely that.”
According to documents and testimony presented in court, Hikmat Deeb worked with others, including Brieon O’Neal and Andrew Brown, to obtain and distribute marijuana in the Western District of Louisiana from 2012 until the time of his arrest in September 2023. The defendants originally obtained marijuana on the West Coast, with the men found by law enforcement to possess large sums of cash at airports in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Seattle that Deeb later admitted to be for the purchase of large quantities of marijuana.
By 2021, Deeb began obtaining marijuana from sources of supply in Oklahoma that included his brother, Rshad Deeb, and Hui He and Yichen He, both Chinese nationals. Hui He owned two properties in Oklahoma that he used for the illegal cultivation and distribution of marijuana and was also connected to a larger marijuana distribution organization. After purchasing the marijuana, Deeb used a network of couriers and salesmen to transport and sell the drugs to the Western District of Louisiana and elsewhere, with the marijuana stored in places like apartment buildings, homes, and an abandoned car lot in Shreveport.
In addition, Deeb’s wife, Jerusalia Bell, laundered many of the proceeds of this conspiracy through a retail clothing line, with Deeb giving her cash from his illegal drug sales to deposit into her business bank account. Bell’s business had nearly $1 million in unreported income between 2020 and 2022 alone, representing the proceeds of this laundering activity from that period.
This case led to substantial prison sentences for several co-conspirators, including Deeb, who was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison, as well as Hui He and Bell, both of whom received sentences of more than eight years in prison. The full list of defendants, their conviction and sentences are as follows:
Hui He a/k/a “Kevin,” 42
Norman, OK
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 100 months in prison, 4 years supervised release
Hikmat Jamal Deeb a/k/a “Hek” and “Hector,” 35
Bossier City, LA
- Pleaded guilty to laundering of monetary instruments
- Sentenced to 224 months in prison, 3 years supervised release
Brieon O’Neal, 37
Bossier City, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 72 months in prison, 4 years supervised release
Andrew O. Brown, 31
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and wire fraud
- Sentenced to 63 months in prison, 4 years supervised release
- Restitution of $22,000
Rshad Deeb a/k/a “Ray,” 39
Bossier City, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 108 months in prison, 5 years supervised release
Modh Fawzi Tbaileh a/k/a “Moody,” 35
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 60 months in prison, 4 years supervised release
Trevor J. Osifo, 30
Aubrey, TX
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 72 months in prison, 5 years supervised release
Jimmy Lee Mays, Jr., 32
Longview, TX
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 41 months in prison, 3 years supervised release
Dajuan Jackson a/k/a “Bando,” 43
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 46 months in prison, 3 years supervised release
Yichen He a/k/a “Brian” and “Lin Lin,” 31
Newcastle, OK
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 60 months in prison, 4 years supervised release
Javarria Linnear a/k/a “Bubba,” 33
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 5 years of supervised probation
- Fine of $5,500
Jerusalia S. Bell, 37
Bossier City, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 97 months in prison, 3 years supervised release
James Troy Phillips, 37
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 60 months in prison, 5 years supervised release
Damarquez Mitchell a/k/a “Quez,” 33
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
- Sentenced to 84 months in prison, 5 years supervised release
Clarissa Monet Holmes, 31
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 3 years supervised probation
Shakera Stringfellow, 27
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 3 years supervised probation
Hadi Deeb, 26
Bossier City, LA
- Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
- Sentenced to 21 months in prison, 3 years supervised release
Elesia Denee Johnson, 28
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentenced to 3 years of supervised probation
Adham Jamal Deeb a/k/a “Polo,” 40
Bossier City, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentencing set for 2/12/2026
Cory David Beasley, 39
Shreveport, LA
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana
- Sentencing set for 3/12/2026
U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. is scheduled to sentence the two remaining defendants, Adham Deeb and Cory Beasley, in early 2026 after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and Shreveport Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and J. Aaron Crawford are prosecuting the case.
The investigation and conviction of these defendants originated as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identified, disrupted, and dismantled the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threatened the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leveraged the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 5:23-cr-00214.
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U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller Highlights a Dozen Significant Prosecutions During Government ShutdownRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller announces that during the federal government shutdown, the United States Attorney’s Office continued its critical work making the community safer by charging and resolving many significant pending cases in the Western District of Louisiana.
“Our Office’s support staff and prosecutors remained committed to and focused on our mission to make this community safe alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners throughout the shutdown,” U.S. Attorney Keller said. “These dozen cases are just a sample of the impactful matters that our Office continues to prosecute, ranging from combatting child predators, to tackling violent crime, to prosecuting sophisticated frauds including bribery schemes and healthcare fraud. Our Office and partners will continue to stand firm and work tirelessly to make Louisiana a safer place to live, work, raise and family, and run a business.”
The following are a dozen select cases where defendants were charged or sentenced to prison during the federal government shutdown:
- Boris Braggs, 43, an elementary school teacher and pastor in the Monroe area, was indicted for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual conduct on October 15, 2025. The indictment is based on allegations that on September 24, 2025, Braggs communicated online with an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a 15-year-old girl to have sex in exchange for money. Braggs agreed to meet the 15-year-old girl at a local hotel in Monroe, Louisiana. Upon his arrival, Braggs was arrested and placed into custody pending further proceedings, and he is currently detained pending trial. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Louisiana State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell.
- Willie Lee Baker, 45, of Shreveport, was indicted for conspiring to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl, with both resulting in death or serious bodily injury. The case is being investigated by the FBI, Shreveport Police Department and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.
- Brandon Jermaine Francisco, 39, pled guilty on November 13, 2025, to committing a carjacking resulting in death with Francisco stipulating to a binding and mandatory sentence of life in prison. While pleading guilty, Francisco admitted to carjacking an Uber and Lyft driver who was also a mother of two minor children in 2022. Francisco further admitted that while carjacking and killing the victim, he shot her several times and then disposed of her body before fleeing with the vehicle. The sentencing is currently set for January 27, 2026. This case was investigated by the FBI, Louisiana State Police, St. Joseph’s Police Department, Bedford Police Department, and Scott Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John W. Nickel and Casey N. Stelly.
- Mahmoud Amin Ya’Qub Al-Muhtadi, 33, a Gazan native residing in Lafayette at the time of his arrest, was arrested and indicted for his alleged involvement in the Hamas-led terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, 2023. As described in the Department’s press release, this matter was investigated as part of the Department’s Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7), and involved many federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies investing significant resources to prosecute. Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel for the Western District of Louisiana is prosecuting the case alongside Trial Attorneys A.J. Dixon, Andrew Sigler and JTF 10-7 Lead Attorney Alicia Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Bedell for the Eastern District of Virginia.
- In October 2025, three defendants were sentenced for their role in a Lafayette-area bribery scheme involving the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office’s Pretrial Intervention Program. Dusty Guidry, 53, of Youngsville, was sentenced to 48 months in prison and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, Leonard Franques, 64, of Scott, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine, and Joseph Prejean, 58, of Church Point, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay a $40,000 fine. The fourth defendant, Gary Haynes, who was convicted at trial in September, is scheduled to be sentenced December 17, 2025. The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS - Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Luke Walker and John W. Nickel, as well as Steven Loew of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
- Charlie L. Simpson, 52, and Charles D. Gardner, 58, who were previously convicted at trial for conspiring to commit bank fraud, were sentenced to 10 years and four years respectively on October 2, 2025. Simpson and Gardner used their positions as executives at United Care and Trinity Home Health to perpetrate a check-kiting scheme to disguise deficits in their companies, resulting in a $3.3 million loss to a victim bank. The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison L. Duncan.
- Thomas Dewayne Dew, 47, of Many, was sentenced to life in prison October 22, 2025, for conspiring with six other defendants to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Dew was found to be selling methamphetamine in large quantities in the Sabine Parish area and supplying the narcotic to other drug dealers in the parish. The case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Moody.
- Michael L. Riggins, 62, of West Monroe, was sentenced to 57 months in prison and ordered to pay roughly $1.8 million in restitution on October 27, 2025. Riggins had previously pled guilty to committing health care fraud in connection with a durable medical equipment (DME) scheme. From 2018 to 2023, Riggins paid for doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary DME and tricked doctors into signing DME orders and certificates of medical necessity to bill for it. Despite receiving hundreds of complaints from victims about fraudulent orders, Riggins submitted over $3.8 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare and was reimbursed over $1.8 million. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Samantha Usher and Kelly Z. Walters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin McCoy.
- Damario M. Lyons, 36, was sentenced to 324 months in prison on October 27, 2025, after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Lyons was supplying large amounts of various narcotics, including more than ten kilograms of methamphetamine, throughout the Southwest Louisiana area. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Jefferson Davis Sheriff’s Office and Jennings Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.
- Lenzi Desormeaux Babineaux, 35, of Rayne, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison on November 6, 2025, after pleading guilty to wire fraud in connection with a federal program fraud scheme she was involved in with her father and sister. Babineaux served as Senior Program Manager for Regional Nutrition Assistance, Inc. (RNA), a Sponsoring Organization for the Child and Adult Food Program which is a federal program operated by USDA and administered by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). RNA would submit provider claims monthly to LDOE for payment and disburse payments to providers. Babineaux submitted fraudulent claims and received payment for them. Babineaux’s father, Brian Desormeaux, 64, and Babineaux’s sister, Amy Desormeaux Hernandez, 38, have both pled guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced on February 3, 2026. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Louisiana State Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren L. Nickel.
- Christopher Culton, 43, of Deridder, was sentenced to 135 months in prison on November 6, 2025, after previously pleading guilty to possessing child pornography. In 2024, law enforcement received a tip that Culton, who had a prior federal conviction for possessing child pornography, was maintaining a social media account was being used to distribute child pornography. A forensic exam of Culton’s cell phones confirmed prepubescent child pornography to be on both phones, which led to the charges here. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker.
- Clarence Reginald Colar, 52, of Lake Charles, was sentenced to 120 months in prison on October 23, 2025, for possessing child pornography. Colar was serving his term of federal supervised release for a previous conviction for possession of child pornography when his probation officer made an unannounced home visit and found that Colar had an unauthorized Samsung tablet in his possession that contained child pornography. This case was investigated by HSI and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer.
CONTACT: Public Affairs [email protected]
United States Attorney’s Office www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Western District of Louisiana Twitter @USAO_WDLA
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Lafayette Parish Couple Involved in Distributing Child Pornography Each Sentenced to a Decade or More in PrisonRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller announces that Brad William Blanchard, 45, has been sentenced for attempted receipt and attempted distribution of child pornography. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Blanchard to 150 months in prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release for these offenses.
According to information presented in court, law enforcement agents involved in an undercover investigation began communicating with an individual, later identified as Blanchard, on an internet-based fetish forum wherein Blanchard expressed his sexual interest in underage children. Blanchard sent an undercover agent images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) which depicted a minor victim. Following this exchange, agents were able to obtain and execute search and arrest warrants for Blanchard’s person, residence, and electronic devices. At the time the warrants were executed, Blanchard admitted to law enforcement that he had sent the CSAM images and that his girlfriend, Amy Kraft, had assisted in sending him CSAM for his sexual gratification. Kraft was subsequently arrested and admitted her involvement in sending the CSAM images to Blanchard to fulfill his sexual fantasies and gratification.
Amy Kraft, 49, the co-defendant and girlfriend of Blanchard, pled guilty to attempted distribution of child pornography and was sentenced on October 1, 2025, to 120 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution to the victims.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Danny Siefker is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals 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.
To report suspected human trafficking or to obtain resources for victims, please call 1-888-373-7888; text “BeFree” (233733), or live chat at HumanTraffickingHotline.org. The toll-free phone, SMS text lines, and online chat function are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Help is available in English, Spanish, Creole, or in more than 200 additional languages. The National Hotline is not managed by law enforcement, immigration, or an investigative agency. Correspondence with the National Hotline is confidential, and you may request assistance or report a tip anonymously.
To report online child sexual exploitation, use the electronic Cyber Tip Line or call 1-800-843-5678. The Cyber Tip Line is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in partnership with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
To learn more about the National Resource Hotline, visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. To learn more about the U.S. Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking, visit www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 6:25-cr-00037-DCJ-DJA.
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Texas Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Firearms Charges Sentenced to 17 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller announces that Texas resident Charles Logwood, 34, has been sentenced to a total of 204 months (17 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. In July 2025, a federal jury convicted Logwood of possessing methamphetamine and marijuana with intent to distribute them, as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of those drug trafficking offenses. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Logwood today.
Evidence at the trial established that in August 2023, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) received information that Logwood was coming to the Monroe area to exchange methamphetamine for cash with another individual. Surveillance teams were established by the Monroe Police Department, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, and federal agents. After physical surveillance identified the vehicle Logwood was driving, agents conducted a traffic stop of his vehicle. When asked if he had any weapons inside the vehicle, Logwood admitted to having a gun in the car. A search of Logwood’s car revealed a pistol under the seat and a large amount of cash on his person, as well as approximately 4.5 kilograms of nearly pure methamphetamine, Percocet pills with a pill crusher, and 1.5 kilograms of marijuana. Logwood was arrested on scene.
The case was investigated by the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Monroe Police Department, and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Daniel J. Vermaelen are prosecuting the case.
The investigation and conviction of Logwood was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF was a program that identified, disrupted, and dismantled the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threatened the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leveraged the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Gaza Man Arrested for Alleged Involvement in October 7, 2023 Terrorist AttacksRead the Press Release
Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi, 33, a Gazan native currently residing in Lafayette, Louisiana, was arrested yesterday for his alleged involvement in the Hamas-led terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
“After hiding out in the United States, this monster has been found and charged with participating in the atrocities of October 7 — the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “While nothing can fully heal the scars left by Hamas’s brutal attack, this Department’s Joint Task Force October 7 is dedicated to finding and prosecuting those responsible for that horrific day, including the murder of dozens of American citizens. We will continue to stand by Jewish Americans and Jewish people around the world against anti-Semitism and terrorism in all its forms.”
“As set forth in documents filed yesterday, on October 7, when Al-Muhtadi learned of the unfolding barbaric attack on Israel and civilians from multiple nations, including the United States, he sprang into action. He armed himself, recruited additional marauders, and then entered Israel, where there is evidence placing him near one of the worst-hit Israeli communities,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Subsequently, Al-Muhtadi fraudulently obtained a visa to enter the United States where he hoped to remain undetected. This arrest is the first public step in bringing to justice those responsible for harming Americans on that day.”
“October 7 is a day that lives in infamy for so many, Gentile and Jew alike, because of the terrorist attack on Israel that began a wave of antisemitic violence,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana. “Let this arrest serve as a reminder both that those who perpetrate acts of terrorism cannot evade justice by hiding in our communities and that state, local, and federal law enforcement — here, the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Louisiana State Police, Lafayette Police Department, and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office — are working tirelessly to bring these people to justice.”
According to court documents, Al-Muhtadi is an operative for the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s (DFLP) military wing, the National Resistance Brigades (NRB, also known as the Martyr Umar al-Qasim Forces), a Gaza-based paramilitary group that participated in the Hamas-led terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
As alleged, on the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, Al-Muhtadi learned about the Hamas invasion, armed himself, gathered others, and crossed into Israel with the intention of assisting in Hamas’s terrorist attack. According to the complaint, Al-Muhtadi’s phone utilized a cell tower located near Kibbutz Kfar Aza in Israel – the location of a horrifying massacre by Hamas and its supporters resulting in the deaths of many civilians, including at least four American citizens.
In addition, Al-Muhtadi allegedly provided false information in his U.S. visa application relating to his involvement with a paramilitary organization, connection to Hamas, participation in a terrorist attack, and military training. Al-Muhtadi swore to the accuracy of numerous materially false statements in his visa application with respect to at least his affiliation with DFLP, the NRB, and Hamas, his training, and his involvement in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection records, Al-Muhtadi entered the United States on Sept. 12, 2024.
Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7) and the FBI New Orleans Field Office are investigating the case, with valuable assistance from Israeli authorities, including the State Attorney’s Office of Israel, the Israeli Security Agency, Lahav 433 and the Intelligence and Investigation Department of the Israel National Police, the Israel Defense Forces, and the Israeli National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing, as well as the FBI Law Enforcement Attache Office in Israel. The Louisiana State Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Lafayette Police Department and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office also provided significant assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Nickel for the Western District of Louisiana; Trial Attorneys A.J. Dixon, Andrew Sigler and JTF 10-7 Lead Attorney Alicia Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Bedell for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. Valuable assistance was also provided by Trial Attorney Mark Aziz with the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
Al-Muhtadi’s presence in the U.S. was discovered by JTF 10-7. Established in February 2025 by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, JTF 10-7 was created to spearhead the Justice Department’s ongoing investigations into the perpetrators of the heinous October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, in which approximately 1,200 people were murdered by Hamas, including 49 U.S. citizens, and approximately 250 additional people were abducted by Hamas, including 8 U.S. citizens. The task force reinforces the Department’s commitment to degrading and dismantling Hamas, holding Hamas supporters accountable, achieving justice for victims, and fighting terrorist-led antisemitism.
Zachary A. Keller Appointed to Serve as United States Attorney for the Western District of LouisianaRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Zachary A. Keller has been appointed to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Mr. Keller took the oath of office in Monroe before Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty on September 29, 2025, where he was joined by family, friends, law enforcement partners, and students from West Monroe High School, his alma mater.
“I am grateful for the honor and privilege of serving my home district in this role,” said Mr. Keller. “Together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly to make Louisiana a safer place to live, work, raise a family, and run a business by combatting violent crime, gangs, child predators, immigration and financial fraud, and other criminal activity.”
Mr. Keller joined the Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida in 2021, serving in civil, criminal, and appellate sections before concluding his service as a Deputy Chief in the Major Crimes section. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, he investigated, prosecuted, and tried federal crimes involving firearms, violence, immigration, drugs, child exploitation, and a wide range of other criminal offenses. Mr. Keller also served as the Project Safe Neighborhood coordinator for the Major Crimes section at the time of his departure, where he worked with local and federal law enforcement to prosecute gun crime. Before serving at the Department, Mr. Keller worked as a consumer protection staff attorney for the Federal Trade Commission and an associate attorney in private practice.
Mr. Keller grew up attending public schools in West Monroe, Louisiana, and attended college at Louisiana State University, where he earned his degree summa cum laude while attending on full scholarship. Mr. Keller then earned his law degree from Yale Law School.
As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Keller is responsible for overseeing federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States in the Western District of Louisiana. Mr. Keller will lead a dedicated team of approximately 70 federal prosecutors and staff located in Shreveport and Lafayette. The Western District of Louisiana covers 42 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes and roughly half its population, with offices in Shreveport, Lafayette, Alexandria, Monroe and Lake Charles.
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Former Assistant District Attorney in Lafayette Convicted of Conspiracy and Bribery Charges in Federal CaseRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – A federal jury has found Gary Haynes, 67, of Lafayette, guilty of conspiracy to engage in bribery, bribery, use of a facility interstate commerce in aid of bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and obstruction of justice after a nearly two-week long trial, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. After deliberating for nearly two and one half hours, the jury returned their verdict. The indictment charged Haynes with conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, two counts of using his cell phone in aid of bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and obstruction of justice.
Evidence presented at the trial revealed that Haynes conspired with Dusty Guidry and Leonard Franques to solicit bribes and kickbacks and to accept things of value while working as an Assistant District Attorney at the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Haynes oversaw the D.A.’s Office’s Pretrial Intervention (PTI) program which was a program set up to provide an alternative to criminal prosecution for certain criminal offenders. Haynes approved defendants to participate in the program and then directed them to take classes from Franques’s companies. Those defendants paid money to take classes through Franques’s companies to complete the program and obtain dismissal of the criminal charges against them from Haynes. Haynes, Guidry, and Franques agreed that Haynes would receive kickbacks in exchange for accepting people into the PTI program, directing those people to Franques’s companies, and then dismissing the charges against the people who enrolled in and paid for the courses that Franques’s companies provided.
Haynes and his co-conspirators discussed several ways to conceal the nature of the money that Haynes would receive from the kickback scheme, including having Haynes reactivate a defunct company during the conspiracy to hide the proceeds from the kickbacks or potentially providing him with a new truck rather than funnel the kickbacks directly to him. Haynes directed a coconspirator to alter, destroy, and conceal documents and records to prevent their availability in a future proceeding.
Franques pleaded guilty on January 12, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Guidry pleaded guilty on March 23, 2023, to two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Both Guidry and Franques are scheduled to be sentenced on October 1, 2025.
Haynes faces a sentence of 65 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS - Criminal Investigation. The prosecution team included Assistant United States Attorneys John Luke Walker and John W. Nickel, and Steven Loew of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
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Second Defendant Involved in Conspiracy to Produce Child Pornography and the Sexual Exploitation of Children Sentenced to 40 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Michael Bo Peacock, 50, of Denton, Texas, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 480 months (40 years) in prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for his involvement in a conspiracy to produce child pornography and the sexual exploitation of children. Peacock was also ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $50,000.
Peacock pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography and one count of enticing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity on November 21, 2024. His co-defendant, Daniel Perryman Collins, 35, of Pineville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced in February 2025 to 325 months (27 years, 1 month) in prison for these offenses.
This case is the result of an investigation into individuals using the dark web to communicate with others regarding exploiting children on the internet and causing them to produce child pornography. From January to November 2023, Peacock and Collins, both together and individually, for their sexual gratification, caused minor children to produce child pornographic and sexually explicit images and videos of themselves by the use of threats and blackmail. Peacock conducted all of this illegal activity in the Dallas, Texas area, while Collins worked out of the Pineville, Louisiana area.
According to information introduced in court, Peacock and Collins both participated in meeting children and coercing/blackmailing the children to engage in sexually explicit conduct and to produce videos of that conduct. Peacock would often contact a minor victim online and through various social media platforms, he and Collins would convince the minor victim to engage in sexually explicit activity and provide a video of that conduct. Peacock and Collins would then blackmail and threaten the victims to provide additional sexually explicit material. As part of the conspiracy, Collins utilized advanced security measures so that those images and materials could not be traced back to himself or Peacock.
Peacock and Collins gave each other access to all of the child pornography they had caused minor victims to produce by obtaining an account with an overseas cloud-based file hosting service so they could post and share the child pornography images and videos that they had produced or obtained. Both defendants had an encryption key to use to access the material they had posted to the site. Through their investigation, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Child Exploitation Operational Unit determined that Peacock and Collins exploited over 100 child victims and caused them to create child pornography. These images and videos were posted to their shared file hosting account.
On November 16, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Collins’ residence in Pineville. During the search, law enforcement agents obtained access to the cloud-based file hosting account of Peacock and Collins and were able to download all of the child pornography images and videos which they had created and posted to the account.
“This sentence should send a strong message to anyone who may be involved in this type of behavior and the sexual exploitation of minor children that this crime will not be tolerated,” said Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “Our office and the state and federal agents who investigate these cases are committed to standing strong together in the fight to end this type of illegal activity in our nation and internationally. We will continue to work to protect our children from being preyed upon by offenders such as this.”
“Through relentless investigations and cutting-edge technology, the FBI works every day to uncover hidden networks that exploit children,” said FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Jose A. Perez. “This case underscores the relentless dedication of the FBI's Child Exploitation Operational Unit to ensuring no predator can thrive at the expense of our children. Offenders like Michael Bo Peacock preyed on some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, and we will stop at nothing to identify, investigate and bring these predators to justice.”
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Headquarter-based Child Exploitation Operational Unit, with assistance from the FBI’s New Orleans and Dallas Field Offices, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Danny Siefker and J. Luke Walker.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678.
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Federal Jury in Lafayette Convicts Former Abbeville Resident on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – A federal jury in Lafayette has found a former Abbeville resident, David Lee Fail, 43, guilty of transportation and possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.
According to information presented in court, while living in Abbeville in 2021, Fail uploaded pornographic images of prepubescent children into a popular cloud-based storage platform account. The investigation into Fail’s illicit activities began in December 2021 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) received a cybertip reporting that images depicting child sexual abuse material had been uploaded onto a cloud-based platform using a unique IP address.
Agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“HSI”), investigated the case and learned that Fail had two previous convictions for similar child exploitation offenses.
Further investigation revealed that the online storage account was registered in Fail’s name in Abbeville and had recently been disabled. Agents learned that after the account was disabled, Fail left Abbeville and relocated to the Denver, Colorado area. Agents obtained search warrants for Fail’s accounts and found more than 150 images containing child sexual abuse material. Many of the images found depicted prepubescent females with adult males.
Fail faces a sentence of 40 years in prison as to the transportation of child pornography conviction, and 20 years in prison for the possession of child pornography conviction, in addition to a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been scheduled for December 9, 2025.
The case was investigated by Louisiana Bureau of Investigation and HSI and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Craig R. Bordelon and J. Luke Walker.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678.
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New Charges Filed Against Brothers in Case Involving Death of a Shreveport Man during Robbery in Walgreens Store Parking LotRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment against two brothers adding a new charge against them for causing death to a Shreveport man. Kevin Terrell Lewis a/k/a “Kelvin Lewis,” 38, of Arlington, Texas, and his brother, Larry Dewayne Lewis, 44, of Shreveport, were both charged last month with robbery and conspiracy to use, carry, brandish and discharge firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence. This superseding indictment adds another count charging both Kevin and Larry Lewis with causing the death of victim B.J. by using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted of this charge, both defendants face a sentence of up to life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The superseding indictment alleges that on or about January 22, 2025, Kevin Lewis and Larry Lewis, each aided and abetted by the other, committed robbery of personal property consisting of prescription drugs and a work van that was in the care, custody and control of victim B.J. as he was making a delivery from the Hackbarth Company to Walgreens located at 3124 Line Avenue in Shreveport. In addition, it is now alleged in the superseding indictment that on January 22, 2025, Kevin and Larry Lewis, each aided and abetted by the other, knowingly used and discharged a firearm during and in relation to robbery causing the death of B.J. through the use of a firearm, and the killing constituted murder.
The superseding indictment further alleges that on or about December 23, 2024, Kevin Lewis and Larry Lewis, each aided and abetted by the other, committed robbery of personal property consisting of approximately $500 in United States currency from the victim owner/manager of the Pull-Up Liquor located at 5619 Hearne Avenue in Shreveport, as he was closing the store and walking to his car in the parking lot.
Kevin Lewis is charged in the superseding indictment with using, carrying, and brandishing semi-automatic firearms during and in relation to these crimes of violence. The superseding indictment also alleges that the Lewis brothers conspired to use, carry, brandish and discharge a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, namely, robbery.
This investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the FBI. We are seeking additional information regarding other individuals who are believed to have participated in these crimes. If you have further information concerning this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), your local FBI office, or you can submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and William C. Gaskins.
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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Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Man with Impersonation of a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jason Beau Dark, 42, of New Orleans, with two counts of false impersonation of a federal officer and one count of possession of counterfeit seal of an agency of the United States.
The indictment alleges that on or about July 7, 2025, on two separate occasions in both West Monroe and Ruston, Louisiana, Dark knowingly and willfully falsely assumed and pretended to be an officer and employee of the United States, that is, a Special Agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
It is alleged in the indictment that Dark first displayed a counterfeit DEA special agent badge to a motorist in an attempt to intimidate the victim. Following the encounter, when officers with the Ruston Police Department confronted Dark, he identified himself as a Special Agent with the DEA, displayed a counterfeit DEA badge to them, and also presented counterfeit DEA credentials in an attempt to the investigation.
If convicted, Dark faces a sentence of 3 years in prison, 1 year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, for false imprisonment of a federal officer. Dark faces a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for possession of a counterfeit seal of an agency of the United States.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, and Ruston Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth D. Reeg.
If anyone has information concerning a similar incident involving this defendant, please report to DOJ-OIG by going to: https://oig.justice.gov/hotline.
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Louisiana Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a Machine Gun on Grambling State University CampusRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook and Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, announced that a Monroe, Louisiana, man was sentenced today for illegally possessing a machine gun and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Tristan Barber, 21, to 180 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and 120 months to run concurrently for possession of a machine gun, followed by three years of supervised release.
According to information introduced in court, on April 16, 2024, Barber was found in possession of a Glock model handgun in a student’s dormitory on Grambling State University’s campus in Grambling, Louisiana. The handgun was loaded and equipped with an extended magazine and a machine gun conversion (MCD) device. MCDs convert semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic machine guns, capable of firing consecutive shots automatically by a single pull of the trigger. Barber was a convicted felon at the time he possessed the machine gun and was therefore not legally allowed to possess any firearm.
The machine gun Barber possessed was analyzed and matched to spent shell casings that were found at the scene of a shooting in Monroe less than three weeks earlier on March 29, 2024.
ATF, the Monroe Police Department, and Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Semmes of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Christopher Usher of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section prosecuted the case.
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Texas Man Found Guilty on Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges by Federal Jury in MonroeRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Charles Logwood, 34, a military veteran from Houston, Texas, with ties to the Monroe area, has been convicted by a jury in Monroe on drug trafficking and firearms charges. Logwood was indicted in February 2024 and charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, and one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. The jury found Logwood guilty of all charges in the indictment.
Evidence at trial established that in 2023, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) began an investigation into Logwood, a suspected drug supplier from Texas supplying methamphetamine to individuals in the Monroe area for sale and distribution. In August 2023, agents received information that Logwood was coming to the Monroe area to exchange methamphetamine for cash with another individual. Surveillance teams were established by officers with the Monroe Police Department, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, and federal agents. After physical surveillance identified the vehicle Logwood was driving, agents conducted a traffic stop of his vehicle. When officers approached Logwood’s vehicle, the odor of marijuana was coming from inside the vehicle, and he was asked to step out of the car. When asked if he had any weapons inside the vehicle, Logwood admitted to having a gun in the car.
A search of Logwood’s vehicle revealed a Taurus pistol, Model: PT 1911, Caliber: .45 ACP under the seat and a large amount of cash on his person. In addition, approximately 1.5 kilograms of marijuana was found in the backseat in a backpack. The backpack also had a pill crusher with several crushed Percocet pills. In the rear part of the vehicle was a cardboard box with a large package wrapped in black plastic which contained suspected methamphetamine weighing approximately 4.5 kilograms. Logwood was subsequently arrested. The suspected methamphetamine was seized and sent to the DEA Laboratory for testing. DEA Chemists determined that the suspected methamphetamine had a 98% purity.
Logwood faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison on the methamphetamine trafficking charge, up to 5 years in prison on the marijuana trafficking charge, and not less than 5 years in prison on the firearm charge, and a fine of up to $10,000,000, or both.
The case was investigated by the DEA, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Monroe Police Department, and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Daniel J. Vermaelen.
The investigation and conviction of Logwood was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF is a program that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Louisiana Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unauthorized Archaeological Digging of Arrowheads and Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Roy Everett Jordan, Jr., 57, of Georgetown, Louisiana, has been sentenced for the unauthorized removal of archaeological resources and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Jordan to 24 months in prison for the archeological crime, and another 6 months in prison for the firearm possession, for a total of 30 months in prison. After release from prison, Jordan will be on supervised release for 2 years.
Jordan was convicted by a federal jury in March of these offenses. Evidence at the trial revealed that U.S. Forest Service agents learned in 2022 that there had been unauthorized digging at four Native American archaeological sites in the Kisatchie National Forest in the Grant Parish, Louisiana. The digging had been done in places where arrowheads and other human-altered stones were known to be present. Through their investigation, agents obtained photo evidence of Jordan being in the area where the digging was taking place. Just a few hours after photo evidence was taken of him conducting unauthorized digging, Jordan made a post on social media about a find that he had made that day in that location and the piece of pottery he found.
A search warrant was obtained for Jordan’s residence and upon execution of that warrant, agents found numerous arrowheads and pottery shards. A table covered in a camouflage cloth was found which matched the photo Jordan had posted on social media. In addition, there was an outbuilding/shed on the property that was full of Jordan’s belongings and numerous arrowheads and pottery shards in multiple places. Agents found clothing in the shed that matched what Jordan had worn in the photo evidence that was obtained by law enforcement agents. In addition, agents found and seized a loaded ISSC semi-automatic .22 caliber pistol. Jordan has three prior felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police and Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William C. Gaskins.
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Law Enforcement Officers and Louisiana Business Owner Indicted on Charges of Bribery, Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud, and Mail FraudRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Eric Delaune, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, announced that a federal grand jury in the Western District of Louisiana has returned an indictment charging five individuals, including law enforcement officers and a central Louisiana business owner, with conspiracy and fraud charges. Those charged in the indictment and a list of their charges are as follows:
Defendant NameChargesChandrakant Patel a/k/a “Lala,” of Oakdale, LAConspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud (1 count)
Bribery (1 count)
Mail Fraud (24 counts)
Money Laundering (8 counts)
Chad Doyle, Chief of Police for the City of Oakdale, LAConspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud (1 count)
Visa Fraud (6 counts)
Mail Fraud (6 counts)
Money Laundering (1 count)
Michael Slaney a/k/a “Freck,” Marshal of the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale, LAConspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud (1 count)
Visa Fraud (6 counts)
Mail Fraud (6 counts)
Money Laundering (2 counts)
Glynn Dixon, Chief of Police for the City of Forest Hill, LAConspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud (1 count)
Visa Fraud (6 counts)
Mail Fraud (6 counts)
Money Laundering (1 count)
Tebo Onishea, former Chief of Police for the City of Glenmora, LAConspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud (1 count)
Visa Fraud (6 counts)
Mail Fraud (6 counts)
The 62-count indictment alleges that from on or about December 26, 2015, and continuing until at least July 15, 2025, Patel, Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, and Onishea conspired together to commit Visa fraud, namely a nonimmigrant U-Visa, which defendants knew to be procured by means of false claims and statements and otherwise procured by fraud and unlawfully obtained by the defendants.
The indictment alleges that Patel, Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, Onishea, and others, authored, facilitated, produced and authenticated false police reports in several central Louisiana parishes. Each report listed several victims of purported armed robberies in the central Louisiana area and the defendants produced false police reports so that the purported victims of the robberies could apply for U-Visas.
Congress created the U nonimmigrant status (“U-Visa”) with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act in October 2000. The legislation was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute crime while also protecting victims of crimes who are willing to help law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. Foreign nationals are eligible for a U-Visa if they meet certain criteria, including but not limited to, if they were a victim of qualifying criminal activity that occurred in or violated laws of the U.S., or possessed information about the criminal activity. Qualifying crime victims could apply for U-Visa status by submitting a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status; a Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification (“I-918B”) (requires signature of an authorized official of a certifying law enforcement agency confirmation that individual was a victim of a qualifying crime); and evidence to establish each eligibility requirement.
The indictment alleges that as part of this conspiracy to defraud, individuals seeking U-Visas (“aliens”) would contact Patel, or another facilitator who would then contact Patel, to be named as “victims” in police reports alleging that an armed robbery had occurred, so that they could submit applications for U-Visas. The indictment also alleges that aliens paid Patel thousands of dollars to participate, and in exchange, Patel would ask his co-conspirators, including Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, and Onishea, to write false police reports naming the Aliens as victims of alleged armed robberies and provide certification and attestation of U-Visa I-918B supporting documents as representatives of their respective law enforcement agencies.
It is also alleged in the indictment that Patel did corruptly give, offer, and agree to pay an agent of the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office the sum of $5,000 on February 18, 2025, intending to influence and reward said agent in exchange for a fraudulent police report from the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The indictment further alleges that from approximately September 27, 2023 until December 26, 2024, Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, and Onishea did knowingly submit false statements with respect to material facts in immigration applications by signing I-918B forms as certifying officials stating that individuals were cooperating victims of crimes, which statements the defendants knew to be false and that the individuals were never victims of the crimes alleged in the I-918B forms.
In addition, the indictment alleges that for the purpose of executing the above-described scheme and artifice to defraud, Patel, Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, and Onishea did commit mail fraud by knowingly placing or causing to be placed in an authorized depository for mail matter, to be sent and delivered by the U.S. Postal Service, a private interstate carrier, or a commercial interstate carrier false Form I-918B created and submitted to USCIS.
Also included in the indictment are money laundering charges and forfeiture allegations against each defendant seeking forfeiture of various bank accounts, real property, and vehicles.
If convicted, the defendants each face a sentence of up to 5 years in prison on the conspiracy charge; up to 10 years on the visa fraud charges; up to 20 years on the mail fraud charge; and Patel faces up to 10 years on the bribery charge. In addition, they could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
This case is being investigated and prosecuted by the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The case is being investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – Fraud Detection and National Security Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Nickel and Danny Siefker.
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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Attachment:
patel_chandrakant_et_al.indictment.pdfOregon Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Jon Scot Taylor, 69, of Portland, Oregon, has been sentenced for distribution of child pornography. Taylor was sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 180 months (15 years) in prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release following his release from prison.
In August of 2023, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) began communicating in an undercover capacity in an online chat forum with a user who was later determined to be Taylor. The agent was posing as a 13-year-old girl. Their conversations moved from the chat forum to text messaging. Throughout their conversations which continued through February 2024, Taylor asked the individual, who he believed was a 13-year-old girl, to send him sexually explicit images of herself. In the course of their communication, Taylor also sent the person he believed was a 13-year-old girl some child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that depicted other 12 or 13-year-old children.
At the guilty plea hearing, Taylor admitted to knowingly distributing visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and that these visual depictions were sent from him in the State of Oregon to the Western District of Louisiana using interstate or foreign commerce by means of the computer. Taylor pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of child pornography.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.
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.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678.
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Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Former Evangeline Parish Law Enforcement Officer with Production and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a former Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy has been indicted on child pornography charges. A grand jury in the Western District of Louisiana has returned an indictment charging Joshua Uhlman, 36, of Pine Prairie, Louisiana, with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography.
The indictment alleges that between on or about September 2024 and February 2, 2025, Uhlman did attempt to employ, use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct and attempted to do so for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of said conduct, knowing that the visual depiction would be transmitted using interstate commerce.
It is further alleged in the indictment that between on or about September 2024 and February 2, 2025, Uhlman did knowingly receive child pornography, using any means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce and in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce, including by computer.
If convicted, Uhlman faces a sentence of at least 15 years and no more than 30 years on each production of child pornography count; a minimum of 5 years and no more than 20 years on the receipt of child pornography count; 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig R. Bordelon, II.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678.
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North Louisiana Man Receives Life in Prison for the Sexual Exploitation, Trafficking and Production of Child Pornography Involving Children in the PhilippinesRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Richard Dean Hicks, 68, of Pioneer, Louisiana, has been sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and production of child pornography. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Hicks to life in prison for attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, life in prison for sex trafficking of a minor, 20 years in prison for promotion and solicitation of child pornography, and 30 years on each of the five counts of attempted production of child pornography. He was also ordered to serve a lifetime of supervised release if ever released from prison.
Hicks was convicted by a jury in Monroe in January following a three-day trial. The charges in this case were the result of a nationwide investigation that began in 2012 into individuals who were soliciting child sex traffickers in the Philippines to share child sexual abusive material (CSAM) via live stream video. The individuals under investigation paid money for the child sex traffickers in the Philippines to sexually abuse children, while they watched and directed the sex trafficker’s sexual abuse of the children.
Through this investigation, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) executed a search warrant at a residence in Philadelphia. As a result of evidence obtained, agents were able to identify an individual in the Philippines who was selling the sexually explicit live webcam shows of female adults engaging in the sexual abuse of underage children. Further investigation led to the identification of an individual in Louisiana, later identified as Hicks, who had been communicating with multiple females in the Philippines. From December 2017 through July 2020, Hicks and the females in the Philippines shared approximately 500 text messages and live video Skype calls wherein Hicks would pay the Philippine females to sexually abuse children as young as 5 years of age while he watched and told the women the type of sexual abuse he wanted them to perform on the children.
Evidence introduced at trial proved that Hicks communicated with these females in the Philippines via text messages and Skype video calls and paid money through Western Union on numerous occasions to view these individuals performing sexually explicit acts with underage children. The payments ranged from $25 to $120.
Agents obtained a federal search warrant for Hicks’ residence in Pioneer, Louisiana, in May 2023 and seized all of his computers and other electronic equipment used to participate in watching these sex shows in exchange for money.
“The fact that this defendant preyed upon not only underage children, but ones from another country who were being sexually abused by others is appalling,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “For those who do not believe that sex trafficking could be happening near you, this is proof that it can be. Were it not for the diligent efforts of these law enforcement agents whose investigation spread nationwide and even internationally, this defendant would not have been stopped. We applaud their dedication to this case and will continue seeking out those who commit these horrendous acts against children.”
“Sometimes a life sentence doesn’t seem like enough, but we hope this brings some relief to this predator’s victims and their families,” said HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune. “HSI special agents used our unique investigative authorities to ensure International borders were not able to protect this criminal from being held accountable.”
"The sentencing of Richard Dean Hicks to life in prison is a significant victory in our ongoing battle against child exploitation and trafficking. This case highlights the critical importance of international cooperation and the tireless efforts of our agents to dismantle networks that prey on innocent children,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI New England Michael J. Krol. “HSI New England remains steadfast in our mission to protect children and bring perpetrators of such despicable crimes to justice. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that those who exploit and abuse children are held accountable, no matter where they operate.”
The defendant who was arrested in Philadelphia was sentenced to 228 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release. The female subjects in the Philippines are still the subject of a joint ongoing investigation with the Philippines and U.S. law enforcement. Numerous other females have been arrested. Pursuant to this investigation, there have been over 300 children rescued to date.
This case was investigated by HSI New Orleans with assistance from HSI New England, divisions of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Louisiana ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Task Force, and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, Bureau of Investigations, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Casey N. Stelly and J. Luke Walker.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678.
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Former Sunset Chief of Police Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Luis Enrique Padilla a/k/a Louis Padilla, former Chief of Police of the Sunset Police Department has been sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph. Padilla was sentenced to six months home incarceration with GPS monitoring, and five years of probation, for willfully using unreasonable force against an individual violating his civil rights.
Padilla pled guilty in March to a one-count Bill of Information charging him with deprivation of rights under color of law and agreed to resign and not run for re-election as part of his plea deal. Padilla had been employed as the Chief of Police of the Sunset Police Department since 2016. According to information presented in court, on December 1, 2023, while acting under the color of law, Padilla used unreasonable force against an individual during an arrest.
Padilla was on duty and involved in an investigation concerning a hit and run and reported to the residence of the suspect, who was identified as a black female. Upon Padilla’s arrival at the residence, a male was standing outside of the residence. This individual was not aware of the alleged hit and run incident and did not match the physical description of the suspect. Padilla immediately approached the male in an aggressive manner and placed him in handcuffs. The individual did not resist in any way or pose a threat to himself of any officer.
While handcuffed, Padilla poked the individual in the chest and neck area and began to yell at him. Padilla continued to yell in the individual’s face and threatened to show him that he was “a bad man.” The victim never reacted to Padilla’s tirade. While he was handcuffed, Padilla then warned “let me show you how bad I am” and proceeded to forcefully twist the victim’s left thumb and wrist, causing pain to the handcuffed individual who was unlawfully detained.
Padilla admitted to willfully using unreasonable force under the circumstances. The suspect was taken to the Sunset Police Department and released without being charged.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Myers P. Namie.
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Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Two men involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy have been sentenced for their involvement in possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.
Gilbert Joseph, 36, of Crowley, Louisiana, and Ronaldo Coleman, 38, of Cypress, Texas, were both sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph. Gilbert Joseph was sentenced to 160 months (13 years, 4 months) in prison, and Ronaldo Coleman was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison. Both defendants will serve a term of 5 years of supervised release following their release from prison.
The charges against these defendants were the result of an investigation into information received by deputies with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office in January 2024 about two suspicious packages that had been sent via UPS to an address in Crowley. Law enforcement officers conducted surveillance of the address and observed one of the packages being delivered by a UPS vehicle. Shortly thereafter, Joseph arrived on the scene and received the package. Officers conducted a traffic stop of Joseph, and a search of his vehicle revealed that there was a package with an odor of marijuana emitting from it. A search warrant was obtained for the package, and officers found metal tin cans inside that contained approximately 22 pounds of methamphetamine in them.
Law enforcement agents contacted UPS and determined that the second package bound for the same address in Crowley had been diverted by the intended recipient and was being held. A narcotics canine conducted an open air sniff of the second package that was being held at UPS, and he positively alerted to the presence of controlled substances inside. The package was found to have approximately five kilograms of methamphetamine inside.
Through their investigation, law enforcement agents were able to determine that Joseph and Coleman had exchanged text messages concerning the delivery of the packages to the address in Crowley. Coleman’s text messages confirmed that he was the intended recipient of the second package and had tried to have it rerouted by UPS.
Joseph and Coleman were charged in an indictment and each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Joseph also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.
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Louisiana Men Receive Lengthy Federal Prison Sentences for Trafficking Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that several men have been sentenced in related Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) cases involving the trafficking of controlled substances. James Cordell Zeno, 37, of Jennings, Blaze Duhon, 27, of Kinder, Jamarcus Jamall Epps, 31, of Many, and James Spikes, 28, of Zwolle, have all been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. Another defendant, Desmond Antoine Jackson, 40, of Zwolle, has pleaded guilty and is currently awaiting sentencing.
Zeno was sentenced to 282 months (23 years, 6 months) in prison, and Duhon was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to information presented in court, in July 2022, the United States Postal Inspector intercepted a suspicious package that was destined for Duhon’s residence. Agents obtained a search warrant for the package and found it contained suspected methamphetamine. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office then obtained a search warrant for the residence, and Duhon was located inside. Days after the search warrant, the United States Postal Inspector intercepted a second suspicious package destined for Duhon’s residence. Agents obtained a search warrant for this package and found it also contained suspected methamphetamine. A search of Duhon’s phone revealed text messages between him and Zeno. Two text messages sent by Zeno to Duhon contained photos of United States Postal Service receipts containing tracking information for two packages. The tracking information matched both packages of methamphetamine that were intercepted by the United States Postal Inspector.
The suspected methamphetamine from both packages was seized and sent to the crime laboratory for testing and the results were positive for methamphetamine with a total weight of 280 grams. Zeno and Duhon were indicted, and both pleaded guilty.
Jamarcus Jamall Epps and Desmond Antoine Jackson were also charged as the result of an investigation into drug trafficking activities in the Sabine Parish area. In December 2021, the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Tactical Narcotics Team conducted a controlled purchase of a Taurus PT738 .380 caliber pistol from Epps. An audio/video recording of the transaction was captured by law enforcement. An examination of the firearm by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) determined that the firearm sold by Epps was a working firearm. At the time of the sale of this firearm, Epps was a convicted felon, with a prior conviction of aggravated second degree battery in 2019 and he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Epps pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 77 months (6 years, 5 months) in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Approximately one month later, law enforcement agents conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Jackson and that transaction was also recorded. The suspected controlled substance was sent to the crime laboratory for analysis and determined to be pure methamphetamine weighing at least 50 grams. Jackson was charged and pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine in February 2025 and is awaiting sentencing.
James Spikes was also involved in the trafficking of methamphetamine in the Sabine Parish area. In August 2022, an audio/video recording was made of a controlled purchase from Spikes in connection with this investigation. The suspected controlled substance purchased from Spikes was sent to the crime laboratory for testing and confirmed to be approximately 62 grams of pure methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison.
These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, ATF, and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy. These cases were part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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