Western District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Jeanerette man pleads guilty to resisting, attacking, threatening Chitimacha tribal police officerRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Jeanerette man pleaded guilty Wednesday to resisting, attacking and threatening a Chitimacha police officer.
Barry David Bryce 61, of Jeanerette, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to assaulting a police officer. According to the guilty plea, a Chitimacha tribal police officer pulled over Bryce’s vehicle on September 23, 2017 on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. After conducting a number of field sobriety tests and observing Bryce, the officer arrested him, and after placing handcuffs on him, Bryce began making threats of violence against the officer and kicked the officer. Bryce also resisted the officer’s attempt to put him in a police vehicle.
Bryce faces up to a year in prison, a year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine.
Jurisdiction in Indian Country is based upon the unique sovereign relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. Congress has criminalized certain acts that take place in Indian Country. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes all felony cases arising in Indian Country that violate federal law.
The Chitimacha Tribal Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Oakdale prisoner pleads guilty to attempting to escape correctional centerRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a federal prisoner in Oakdale pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempting to escape by climbing over a razor wire perimeter fence.
Lucas Gregory Woodard, 41, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Center in Oakdale, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of attempted escape. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James. According to the guilty plea’s factual basis, U.S. Bureau of Prison staff at the Federal Correctional Center in Oakdale discovered two inmates, Woodard and codefendant Nicholas Bickle, 40, ensnared in razor wire on the perimeter fence and ground that encompassed the correction center on October 11, 2017. Staff had to pry open and cut the coils of razor wire in several places in order to remove Woodard and Bickle.
The defendants face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Bickle pleaded guilty on June 6, 2018 to one count of attempted escape. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced October 1, 2018
The FBI and U.S. Bureau of Prisons conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel is prosecuting the case.
New Orleans man sentenced to 57 months in prison for viewing child pornography onlineRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a New Orleans man was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for viewing child pornography.
Michael Calagna, 66, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman on one count of accessing or viewing child pornography. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement began investigating an online video teleconferencing service in 2015 that specialized in sharing child pornography to its viewers. The agents recorded the presentations and noted that Calagna was a viewer at his New Orleans home. During the video chats, Calagna expressed his interest in pornography showing children ages five and up.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Luke Walker and David J. Ayo prosecuted the case.
Illegal alien from Honduras arrested in Sulphur pleads guilty to illegally re-entering U.S.Read the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that an illegal alien from Honduras who was arrested in Sulphur, Louisiana, pleaded guilty Wednesday to re-entering the United States illegally after having been previously removed from the United States four times.
Boney D. Cruz-Funez, 31, of Honduras, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien. According to the guilty plea, on April 11, 2018, Sulphur police conducted a traffic stop on Cruz-Funez’s vehicle on Interstate 10. After the stop, he admitted to being in the country illegally. Cruz-Funez was removed from the United States previously on four occasions with the last removal taking place on May 28, 2013 from San Antonio, Texas.
Cruz-Funez faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for November 19, 2018.
United States Border Patrol and the Sulphur Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore is prosecuting the case.
West Monroe felon sentenced for possessing pistol after fleeing police, hiding in trash canRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a felon from West Monroe was sentenced last week to 21 months in prison for illegal possession of a firearm.
Marquarius D. York, 22, of West Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced June 13, 2018 by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the February 5, 2018 guilty plea, a resident on Mitchell Avenue in West Monroe on June 29, 2017 reported seeing a man who was later identified as York. A subsequent search led to police locating York hiding in a trash can as well as the firearm that he fired in the street. The weapon was a Cougar 800, 9mm caliber pistol. York told police he knew he was not allowed to possess the firearm as he had been previously convicted of a felony. York has a 2013 conviction from Ouachita Parish for attempted simple burglary and a 2015 Ouachita Parish conviction for attempted simple escape.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make out neighborhoods safe for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Session announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The ATF and West Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.
Shreveport felon sentenced to 10 years for possession of firearm, methamphetamine distributionRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport felon was sentenced last week to 120 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine and a pistol in his car.
William Charles Riggs, 44, of Shreveport, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to four years of supervised release. According to the March 13, 2018 guilty plea, Louisiana State Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Riggs’ vehicle on April 28, 2017 in Bossier Parish. The trooper observed the car straddling the center line, and when the traffic stop was initiated, the car sped off at a high rate of speed. The car eventually crashed, and Riggs escaped on foot. He was later apprehended. Troopers searched the vehicle and found 27.21 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded model 22; .40 caliber Glock pistol.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The ATF, DEA, Louisiana State Police and Bossier City Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.
Illegal alien from Honduras pleads guilty to possessing pistol after West Monroe arrestRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that an illegal alien from Honduras pleaded guilty last week to possessing a pistol after being arrested in West Monroe.
Medardo Zuniga, 36, of Honduras, pleaded guilty June 13, 2018 before U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty to one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. According to the guilty plea, a West Monroe police officer conducted a traffic stop on a truck Zuniga was a passenger in on September 15, 2017. Three individuals were in the vehicle including Zuniga. After a search of the vehicle, an empty pistol magazine was found on Zuniga, and a Taurus pistol, model Millenium G2, caliber 9mm with an obliterated serial number was found on the floorboard where he had been sitting. After his arrest, he admitted to being in the United States illegally and to possessing the pistol. The defendant was arrested in 2007 for driving unlawfully and was deported on November 14, 2007.
Zuniga faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of October 2, 2018.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make out neighborhoods safe for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Session announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The ATF and West Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford is prosecuting the case.
Gretna man sentenced to more than 10 years for controlled substance, firearms offenses in LafayetteRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Gretna man was sentenced Monday to 121 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine after Lafayette police officers recovered multiple controlled substances and a weapon from his former residence.
Don Edmond Washington, 29, of Gretna, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the March 15, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement agents searched Washington’s former home in Lafayette on May 17, 2017 and found methamphetamine, heroin, buprenorphine, Oxycodone, Alprazolam, one HK USP compact .45 caliber pistol with one magazine, six .45 caliber rounds and $440.
The DEA, ATF, Lafayette Metro Narcotics Task Force and Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.
Former Cameron company office manager pleads guilty to stealing more than $91,000Read the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a former office manager of a Cameron company pleaded guilty last week to stealing more than $91,000 from her employer.
Belinda Miltenberger, 47, of Cameron, Louisiana, pleaded guilty June 13, 2018 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of wire fraud. According to the guilty plea’s factual basis, Miltenberger was the office manager for a seafood processing and wholesale company located in Cameron. Her supervisors were in Seattle, Washington. Starting in January 2016 until about February 2017, Miltenberger stole cash from seafood sales. Instead of depositing certain cash sales into the company’s bank account, she kept the money for personal use. She then falsified business records to cover her abuse. When the company became concerned about account balances, they asked Miltenberger to prepare an end-of-year financial statement. In response, she created fraudulent financial reports and sent them to her supervisors to continue to conceal her scheme. She embezzled a total of $91,846.25 during the course of the scheme.
Miltenberger faces up to 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for October 1, 2018.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Willis is prosecuting the case.
Explo vice president pleads guilty to conspiracy chargeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that the vice president of Explo Systems Inc. pleaded guilty Thursday to a criminal conspiracy at Camp Minden that led to an explosion, completing the prosecution of this matter.
William Terry Wright, 64, of Bossier City, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to conspiring to violate federal law.
Explo Systems Inc. is a private company whose primary business operations involved the demilitarization of military munitions and the subsequent resale of the recovered explosive materials for mining operations. According to the guilty plea, Wright was the vice president of operations at Explo and oversaw the demilitarization operations. The U.S. Army awarded Explo a contract on March 24, 2010 to dispose of 450,000 155mm artillery propelling charges designated as M119A2 for $2,902,500. The Army and Explo officials later amended the contract on March 6, 2012 to dispose of 1,350,000 propellant charges for $8,617,500. The contract required Explo to properly store and dispose of the demilitarized M6 propellant, which is a solid, granular, explosive material. The contract also required Explo to document the sale of the demilitarized M6 propellant by completing an End User Certificate (EUC). On the EUC, the purchaser of the demilitarized M6 propellant certified the purchase and compliance with applicable federal laws. Once the EUCs were certified, Explo submitted the EUCs to the Army.
Wright and other Explo officials and representatives conspired from January 2010 to November 2012 to defraud the United States by submitting false EUCs to the U.S. Army Joint Munitions Center (JMC) to dispose of hazardous waste at unpermitted facilities and improperly store explosives. This caused the government to pay money to the conspirators to which they were not entitled. They also moved and improperly stored M6 propellant in order to prevent government officials from discovering the improperly stored M6 propellant. Wright and others also instructed lower-level employees to hide and conceal improperly stored demilitarized M6 propellant and reactive hazardous waste from government officials during inspections.
Additionally, from June 2011 and continuing to October 2012, Explo officials submitted false EUCs to the JMC showing sales of demilitarized M6 propellant to third parties, when the sales did not occur. Explo officials, including Wright, also did not inform or notify the third-party EUC certifiers that Explo would submit the executed EUCs to the JMC as proof of sale of demilitarized M6. Wright submitted and caused to be submitted EUCs with forged and or fabricated signatures. The submission of false EUCs further concealed Explo’s inability to perform the requirements of the contract.
On October 15, 2012, an explosion occurred at a munitions storage igloo on Camp Minden. The explosion contained approximately 124,190 pounds of smokeless powder and a box van trailer containing approximately 42,240 pounds of demilitarized M6 propellant. The damage destroyed the igloo and trailer, shattered windows of dwellings within a four-mile radius, and derailed 11 rail cars near the storage igloo.
Wright faces five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. As part of the plea agreement, Wright agreed that he owes $149,032.80 restitution. Sentencing is set for August 30, 2018.
“I thank our federal and state law enforcement partners for their commitment to protecting Louisiana’s citizens and environment,” Joseph stated. “Those who try to cheat the taxpayers while endangering the well-being of our community will be held accountable.”
“The guilty pleas entered by the defendants in this case are the results of the uncompromising work by DCIS, our investigative partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure the integrity of the Department of Defense procurement process by penalizing government contractors who choose profit over quality and safety,” commented John F. Khin, Special Agent in Charge, Southeast Field Office, Defense Criminal Investigative Service. “DCIS remains committed to pursuing and bringing to justice anyone who uses fraud and deception to undermine our critical warfighting missions and the safety of our communities that support DoD activities.”
Explo owner David Alan Smith, 62, of Winchester, Kentucky; Program Manager Kenneth Wayne Lampkin, 65, of Haughton, Louisiana; Traffic and Inventory Control Manager Lionel Wayne Koons, 59, of Haughton; and Director of Engineering and Environmental Control Charles Ferris Callihan, 68, of Shreveport, were all charged in the conspiracy. Smith pleaded guilty December 14, 2017 to the conspiracy count and one count of making a false statement; Koons pleaded guilty on April 24, 2018 to one count of making a false statement; Lampkin pleaded guilty May 14, 2018 to one count of making a false statement; and Callihan pleaded guilty on June 8, 2018 to a one-count bill of information charging false representations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Sentencings are set for August 30, 2018.
The Environmental Protection Agency-Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation, Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, FBI and Louisiana State Police-Emergency Service Unit investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl M. Campbell and J. Aaron Crawford are prosecuting the case.
United States Attorney, Louisiana Attorney General announce joint effort to increase violent crime prosecutions in northeast LouisianaRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announced today that a prosecutor with the state Attorney General’s office would be designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in an effort to help reduce violent crime in the Monroe area.
The addition of another federal prosecutor in Monroe is in addition to the two violent crime prosecutors that were recently authorized for U.S. Attorney Joseph’s office as part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing effort to increase targeted prosecutions of violent crime through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. In the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana has brought approximately 115 criminal indictments charging more than 200 defendants with firearm and drug related offenses, including felons and drug dealers in possession of firearms. These prosecutions represent approximately three times the number of such cases that have been brought in previous years.
The PSN program is a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office involving local, state and federal law enforcement. In the Monroe area, participants include the ATF, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s Office, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe Police Department. The program has been proven to be successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone. United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a crime reductions strategy involving PSN.
“I want to thank Attorney General Landry for his commitment and assistance to our joint effort to reduce violent crime in Northeast Louisiana,” Joseph stated. ”In the last year, we have substantially increased violent crime arrests and prosecutions in the District, which is clearly making our neighborhoods and communities safer. Given our collaboration with Attorney General Landry’s office and the hard work of our state, local and federal law enforcement partners in Northeast Louisiana, we fully expect that these efforts will reduce violent crime here in Monroe and throughout the area.”
“When I became Attorney General, one of my priorities was to strengthen my office’s working relationship with our federal partners,” Landry said. “I share U.S. Attorney Joseph’s vision to make our communities safer by working together; and we are optimistic that by offering one of our prosecutors to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, prosecutions will be done in a quicker and more efficient manner.”
“The Project Safe Neighborhood initiative is a comprehensive, coordinated, and community-based approach that we use to reduce and deter violent crime,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols. “It is through this collaborative effort that we truly make our communities safer.”
The Western District of Louisiana consists of 42 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes and encompasses two-thirds of the State of Louisiana. This area covers the cities of Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport.
New Jersey, Florida residents arrested in Lake Charles sentenced for possessing 4 pounds of methamphetamine packaged as Mexican candyRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that two defendants, one from New Jersey and one from Florida, who were arrested during a Lake Charles traffic stop were sentenced Monday for possession of 4 pounds of methamphetamine packaged as Mexican candy.
Javier Munoz, 51, of Vineland, New Jersey, was sentenced to 165 months in prison and five years of supervised release on one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. Beljavier Rodriguez, 26, of Bradenton, Florida, was sentenced to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release on one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering. United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey presided over the hearing. According to a joint factual stipulation in the record of the guilty plea, the defendants were traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 on September 9, 2016. A Lake Charles Police officer stopped the vehicle for speeding. The officer found a secret compartment underneath the car that contained two bags that appeared to be professionally printed bags of Mexican candy. Within the bags were 21 individually wrapped bags containing methamphetamine that weighed a total of about 4 pounds.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Lake Charles Police Department as part of the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.
Fort Polk soldier pleads guilty to illegally manufacturing, using a chemical weaponRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Fort Polk soldier pleaded guilty Monday to manufacturing and detonating a chemical weapon in the Kisatchie National Forest adjacent to the Fort Polk Army installation.
Ryan Keith Taylor, 24, of New Llano, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to producing, possessing and using a chemical weapon in violation of federal law. According to the guilty plea, Taylor manufactured and detonated a chemical weapon on April 12, 2017 in the Kisatchie National Forest that resulted in the release of highly toxic chlorine gas into the atmosphere.
Taylor faces up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for September 12, 2018.
The FBI, U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command, Fort Polk Military Police and the Directorate of Emergency Services, Louisiana State Police, and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis E. Robinson are prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods grant announcementRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT / MONROE / ALEXANRIA / LAKE CHARLES / LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph and the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force announced the availability of approximately $159,488 in PSN grants funds for the Western District of Louisiana. The Department of Justice, the Office of Justice Programs and the Bureau of Justice Assistance is seeking applications for funding of a grant under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Approximately $143,539 of the grant funds will be designated for grants under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program to fund new and/or current comprehensive gun crime and gang violence reduction strategies in our district.
PSN furthers the Department of Justice=s mission to reduce violent crime by providing support to state, local and tribal efforts to create safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in violent crimes and gang violence committed with firearms.
Various types of single or multi‑grantee grant proposals are welcome including those that address the following:
- Gang violence and gun violence reduction, deterrence, prevention, community outreach and education;
- Enforcement, adjudication and supervision programs;
- Prisoner reentry programs; or
- Other innovative related projects.
Grant proposals must be submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATTN: PSN Grant Competition, 800 Lafayette Street, Suite 2200, Lafayette, LA 70501, no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.
The FY 2018 PSN Grant Announcement, OMB No. 1121-0329 can be found at www.bja.gov/funding/PSNFormula18.pdf. Please also visit the Western District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney’s Office website at: www.justice.gov/usao-wdla, as well as www.psn.gov or www.bja.gov/programs/psn for more particulars on this grant.
Interested applicants may also contact Assistant U.S. Attorney and PSN Coordinator Jamilla A. Bynog at (337) 262-6618 for additional information.
Lake Charles felon pleads guilty to possessing sawed-off shotgun, drugsRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Lake Charles man previously convicted of a felony pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing a sawed-off shotgun in addition to other firearms and trafficking drugs.
Mark Washington, 45, of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of possession of a shotgun with a barrel of less than 18 inches in length and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. According to the guilty plea, members of the Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Taskforce responded to a report of drug activity at a home on April 18, 2017 at Hinton Drive in Lake Charles. Upon arriving at the scene, taskforce agents found Washington standing in the driveway of the residence with two men inside a car. Agents searched the residence and found one Sigarms Model 250 semi-automatic pistol with a magazine containing 12 live rounds; one Glock Model 36, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol containing a magazine with four live rounds; one sawed-off Stevens Model 940E, .410 gauge break-action shotgun; and one sawed-off 20 gauge break-action shotgun of unknown make and model. They also found loose synthetic marijuana on the television stand in the living room, and they located 936 pills, two pink plastic bags of synthetic marijuana, a cigarette pack containing a glass vile with drug residue, a cellophane baggie with five ecstasy pills and $1,145. Washington said he lived in the residence and had bought the guns on the streets. Washington also admitted to being a convicted felon, and that he was not allowed to be around firearms.
Washington faces up to 10 years in prison and a 10,000 fine for the firearms count, and he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine for the drug count. He also faces up three years of supervised release and forfeiture of the seized weapons. The court set a sentencing date of October 1, 2018.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The ATF and Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Taskforce conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore is prosecuting the case.
Illegal aliens from Mexico plead guilty to reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that two illegal aliens from Mexico pleaded guilty this week to reentering the United States after having been previously removed. United States Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay presided over the hearings. The pleas will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James. The court set the defendants’ sentencing hearings for October 1, 2018.
Illegal alien arrested in Allen Parish reentered United States 5th time
Bartolo Marquez-Cantera, 36, of Mexico, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of illegal reentry of a previously deported alien. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents found Marquez-Cantera on March 28, 2018, in Allen Parish. After reviewing his record, he was found to have been removed from the United States on four previous occasions with the most recent removal being on October 6, 2011.
Marquez-Cantera faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. United States Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips is prosecuting the case.
Illegal alien arrested near Lake Charles reentered country 4th time
Sergio Garcia-Mateo, 30, of Mexico, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of illegal reentry of a previously deported alien. According to the guilty plea, U.S. Border Patrol agents conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle containing nine people on February 21, 2018 that was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 near Lake Charles. Garcia-Mateo was questioned and stated that he was a citizen of Mexico. His file was reviewed, and he was found to be in the United States illegally after having been removed from the country in March of 2014, February of 2017 and January of 2018.
Garcia-Mateo faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth is prosecuting the case.
Illegal alien arrested in Cameron Parish reentered U.S. after 2010 removal
Jose Salvador Meza-Vasquez, 28, of Mexico, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of illegal reentry of a previously deported alien. According to the guilty plea’s factual basis, a Cameron Parish Sheriff’s deputy arrested Meza-Vasquez for a traffic infraction on March 12, 2018. He admitted to the deputy that he was in the United States illegally. After reviewing his record, agents discovered he had been removed from the United States in 2010 and had not received permission to reenter the country.
Meza-Vasquez faces up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. United States Border Patrol and the Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel is prosecuting the case.
Shreveport man sentenced to 70 months in prison for drug distribution, firearm offenseRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced last week to five years and 10 months in prison for possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute and use of a firearm in a drug trafficking offense.
Xavier Breonte Strickland, 29, of Shreveport, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. On June 2, 2017, officers went to Strickland’s residence to serve a parole warrant, and after someone opened the door, officers saw Strickland exit a bedroom. Officers searched the house and found a loaded Ruger 1911 semiautomatic pistol in the closet of the bedroom where they saw Strickland. Next to the bag was a black zipper pouch that contained a digital scale and a bag containing 31 grams of marijuana.
The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara prosecuted the case.
On 500th day of Trump administration, Attorney General Sessions announces 311 new Assistant U.S.Attorney positionsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/MONROE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES, La. – On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced that the Department of Justice is taking a dramatic step to increase resources to combat violent crime, enforce our immigration laws and help roll back the devastating opioid crisis.
In the largest increase in decades, the Department of Justice is allocating 311 new Assistant U.S. Attorneys to assist in priority areas. Those allocations are as follows: 190 violent crime prosecutors, 86 civil enforcement prosecutors, and 35 additional immigration prosecutors. Many of the civil enforcement AUSAs will support the newly created Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force, which targets the opioid crisis at every level of the distribution system.
“Under President Trump’s strong leadership, the Department of Justice is going on offense against violent crime, illegal immigration, and the opioid crisis—and today we are sending in reinforcements,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “We have a saying in my office that a new federal prosecutor is ‘the coin of the realm.’ When we can eliminate wasteful spending, one of my first questions to my staff is if we can deploy more prosecutors to where they are needed. I have personally worked to re-purpose existing funds to support this critical mission, and as a former federal prosecutor myself, my expectations could not be higher. These exceptional and talented prosecutors are key leaders in our crime-fighting partnership. This addition of new Assistant U.S. Attorney positions represents the largest increase in decades.”
In the Western District of Louisiana, two of these AUSAs will focus on prosecuting violent crime and one will focus on civil enforcement of federal law.
“Upon taking office, I promised to aggressively prosecute violent crime throughout the district while ensuring immigration offenses, public corruption, and our efforts to stem the opioid epidemic remain top priorities,” Joseph stated. “These additional prosecutors will assist in achieving our objectives by bringing more criminal prosecutions against those who threaten the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. These positions also give our office more capacity to pursue those who abuse government benefits and otherwise cheat the United States, by bringing civil actions against them. I want to thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for the opportunity to hire additional Assistant United States Attorneys to serve the communities in our district. We will work with our federal agencies as well as our state and local partners to ensure we make the most of these added resources.”
To see more information on the locations of the 311 Assistant U.S. Attorney positions click here.
Shreveport felon sentenced to 37 months in prison for possessing pistol, ammunition in carRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a Shreveport man previously convicted of a felony was sentenced to 37 months in prison for possessing a pistol and ammunition in his car.
Demond Lamont Hill Sr., 37, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. On July 31, 2017, Shreveport Police responded to a call about people dealing drugs on Herndon Street. Officers heard loud music when approaching Hill, and he jumped in his car. Officers approached Hill’s car and saw a gun on the driver’s seat beside the center console. Hill said the gun was not his but knew it was in the car. Hill said he was on parole and a convicted felon. The firearm was a Taurus semi-automatic 9 mm pistol. The officer also found 12 rounds of ammunition. Hill has several felony convictions in Caddo Parish and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. His felony convictions include aggravated battery in 2001, drugs in 2006 and 2007, and firearm possession in 2007.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara prosecuted the case.
Shreveport felon sentenced to 24 months in prison for possessing pistol found at residenceRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport man previously convicted of a felony was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison for possessing a pistol found in his residence.
Kenneth D. Mayweather, 21, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the February 7, 2018 guilty plea, the Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Street Level Investigative Unit searched a Shreveport residence August 3, 2017 during a drug investigation. Three males were taken into custody during the search with two apprehended in the backyard after attempting to flee the residence. Also during the search, law enforcement agents found a Glock, model 23, .40 caliber pistol and 11 rounds of ammunition. Mayweather admitted to owning the firearm and that he was not allowed to have one as he has a prior felony conviction.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The ATF and Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Unit conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields prosecuted the case.
Alexandria felon pleads guilty to possessing pistol discovered in opioid stingRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that an Alexandria man previously convicted of a felony pleaded guilty to possessing a semiautomatic handgun discovered during an opioid sting.
Eric Darnell Tison, 47, of Alexandria, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, a U.S. postal inspector contacted the Louisiana State Police Narcotics Unit on October 13, 2015 in Alexandria after intercepting a package with suspected narcotics destined for a home in Pineville, Louisiana. After obtaining a search warrant, law enforcement found approximately 1,000 pills of suspected methadone hydrochloride, a synthetic opioid, in the package. State police obtained a state search warrant on October 14, 2015 for the home in Pineville and executed a controlled delivery of the package, which Tison accepted at the front door. After Tison took it into the house, state police executed the warrant and found a Cobra .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol with five rounds of ammunition and some marijuana in the master bedroom along with the package of methadone pills. Tison, a convicted felon, was the only person home at the time of the search.
Tison faces five to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, forfeiture of the seized weapon and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of August 30, 2018.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara is prosecuting the case.
Morgan City man pleads guilty to not reporting more than $250,000 on tax returnRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Morgan City man pleaded guilty Wednesday to failing to report more than $250,000 in income on his 2012 tax return.
Victory Nam Ho, 39, of Morgan City, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Whitehurst to one count of filing a false tax return. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote. According to the guilty plea, Ho engaged in stock transactions and made $251,196 in 2012, but when he filed his taxes, he reported $14,742 as his income. As a result, he paid no income tax that year, which resulted in a loss of $69,167 to the U.S. Treasury.
The defendant faces up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release, restitution and a $100,000 fine. The court set an August 31, 2018 sentencing date.
The IRS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger is prosecuting the case.
Morgan City man sentenced to 63 months in prison for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Morgan City man was sentenced Thursday to five years and three months in prison for using the internet to download and possess child pornography.
Joshua Landry, 40, of Morgan City, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of receiving child pornography. He was also sentenced to serve 10 years of supervised release following his incarceration, and upon his release from custody he will be required to register as a sex offender. According to the October 26, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents identified Landry as downloading child pornography to an electronic device in his home. Agents searched Landry’s home on February 8, 2017, and found Landry’s cell phone, which contained child pornography videos. Landry also admitted to agents that he downloaded child pornography.
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.
Those concerned may leave tips with the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Tips may be submitted anonymously. The Lafayette FBI office number is (337) 262-2164.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
Illegal alien living in Abbeville pleads guilty to possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that an illegal alien from Mexico pleaded guilty Wednesday to using his phone and an online account to acquire and possess child pornography.
Paul Armenta-Bojorquez, 33, of Mexico, but who resides in Abbeville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Whitehurst to one count of possession of child pornography. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents interviewed Armenta-Bojorquez on November 13, 2017 regarding possession of child pornography. He told agents that he received the child pornography through his phone and then transferred it onto an online account. Law enforcement agents reviewed the material found on the online account, and it contained child pornography. Some of the material was of children who were younger than 12.
Armenta-Bojorquez faces up to 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release, mandatory registration as a sex offender and up to a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for August 22, 2018.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crime Unit conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Illegal alien from Mexico sentenced to 30 months in prison for reentering the U.S. for fifth timeRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that an illegal alien from Mexico was sentenced last week to two and a half years in prison for reentering the United States after being deported four times.
Fernando Garcia-Lopez, 37, of Tumbiscatio, Michocan, Mexico, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of illegal reentry of an illegal alien. According to the February 1, 2018 guilty plea, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputies conducted a controlled buy of marijuana on March 9, 2017 at Garcia-Lopez’s Abbeville, Louisiana, residence. He was arrested and provided a false identity to law enforcement. After his actual identity was discovered, he was also found to have been deported in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore prosecuted the case.
Haughton man pleads guilty to distribution of methamphetamine obtained in DallasRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Haughton man pleaded guilty Tuesday to distribution of methamphetamine the defendant obtained in Dallas.
Jason Rich, 47, of Haughton, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents obtained information that Rich was a methamphetamine and marijuana distributer in Haughton. After conducting an investigation, agents learned that Rich may have traveled to Dallas, Texas, to obtain drugs and was on his way back. A Louisiana State Police trooper stopped Rich’s vehicle May 3, 2018 near the intersection of Interstate-220 and Louisiana Highway 80. The trooper searched the vehicle and found a semi-automatic handgun, 141.3 grams of methamphetamine, 36.5 grams of the marijuana, and three blue and white capsules containing approximately 31.1 grams of methamphetamine. Rich said he knew about the firearm and had purchased 4 ounces of methamphetamine from two different sources in the Dallas area.
Rich faces 10 years to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and up to a $10 million fine. The court set a sentencing date of September 7, 2018.
The case was investigated by the DEA and the DEA task force, which consists of state and local agencies like the Louisiana State Police and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick is prosecuting the case.
Federal grand jury indicts Shreveport doctor for stealing disability benefitsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a federal grand jury indicted a Shreveport surgeon for stealing disability benefits.
John T. Owings, 58, of Shreveport, was charged with one count of theft of government property and one count of concealing that he was ineligible for Social Security benefits. According to the indictment, Owings applied for Social Security disability benefits in March of 2007. After being awarded the benefits, he was required to report if he began working again. He began working in 2012 as a surgeon for the University of California-Davis where was paid $22,000 a month. He was hired in 2013 as the chief of trauma and the medical director of University Health System in Shreveport where he is being paid $41,400 a month. Based on his employment, Owings was ineligible to receive disability benefits. However, he concealed the employment changes from the Social Security Administration, and as a result, he received more than $200,000 in government money that he was not entitled to.
Owings faces up to 10 years in prison for the theft count and five years in prison for the concealing event count. He also faces up to five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each count.
The Social Security Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney’s Office remembers fallen law enforcement officers during National Police Week 2018Read the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La. – Members of the public join with law enforcement across the country for National Police Week – May 13 through May 19 – to honor law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.
“One officer death is too many,” U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “While we are inexpressibly grateful to have had a decrease in the number of officers killed in the line of duty last year, the number is still far too high. At the Department of Justice, we honor the memories of the fallen and we pray for their families. We are also following President Trump's Executive Orders to back the women and men in blue, to enhance law enforcement safety, and to reduce violent crime in America. Those priorities will help keep every American safe, including those who risk their lives for us. As always, we have their backs and they have our thanks.”
“Those fallen officers honored during National Police Week represent the best of us,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. “They gave their lives so our communities can be safe and secure. Our thoughts, prayers and gratitude go out to their families and friends.”
This year, the names of 93 officers killed in the line of duty in 2017 and some prior years were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., during the 30th Annual 2018 Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13. These names include officers who were killed during 2017 and officers who died in previous years who have not been previously added to the Memorial. The fallen officers of 2017 include two members of the law enforcement community in the Western District of Louisiana:
- Justin Levi Beard, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, who died April 30, 2017; and
- Michael Paul Middlebrook, Lafayette Police Department, who died October 1, 2017.
To assist local public safety officers in the work that they do, the U.S. Attorney’s Office offers safety and survival training throughout the year. The courses are open to federal, state, local, military and tribal law enforcement officers.
For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org. So that people across the country can experience this unique and powerful ceremony, the vigil will be livestreamed beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern time on May 13. To register for this free online event, visit www.LawMemorial.org/webcast.
To access the FBI’s 2017 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report, please visit www.fbi.gov.
Texas men arrested for transporting 10 kilograms of fentanylRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that two Texas men were arrested today for transporting more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl.
Felipe Rodriguez, 21, of McAllen, Texas, and Brandon Montoya, 23 of Kaufman, Texas, were arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. United States Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby presided over the initial appearance hearing, which was held this afternoon. According to the complaint filed during the hearing, a Louisiana State Police trooper conducted a traffic stop today on an SUV on Interstate-20 at mile marker 31 going eastbound. The trooper searched the vehicle and found a compartment in rear cargo area. Through a hole in the compartment, he could see a plastic bag containing an unknown substance. The vehicle was brought to Louisiana State Police Troop G headquarters. Upon a more thorough search, they found 10 plastic 1-kilogram bags containing fentanyl. The defendants admitted to transporting the drugs. They said they had been approached in Houston to travel to California to obtain the drugs. They were then instructed to drive to Atlanta, Georgia, where they would be paid for the delivery.
The defendants face up to 10 years to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a $10 million fine. The defendants will remain in custody until the detention hearing, which was set for May 15, 2018.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. In recent years it has become more widely available in the United States and grown as a threat to public safety. It only takes a very small amount of fentanyl or its derivatives- which can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin or mucus membranes (such as being inhaled through the nose or mouth)- to result in severe adverse reactions including death. For more information about fentanyl, visit www.dea.gov/druginfo/fentanyl.
The DEA, Homeland Security Investigations and Louisiana State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Previously convicted felon sentenced to more than 3 years in prison for illegal possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced Tuesday to 37 months in prison for illegal possession of a firearm.
Alvin Kincerely Law Jr., 30, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the January 25, 2018 guilty plea, a Shreveport Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a red pickup truck Law was driving on June 26, 2017. Before the truck came to a stop, the officer saw a black object being tossed out of the driver’s side window. A firearm was later retrieved and was found to be a Lorcin, Mira Loma, CA, USA, model: L380, .380 caliber pistol. Law has a 2011 felony conviction for possession of marijuana, fourth offense and cannot legally possess a firearm.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.
Bossier City car dealer sentenced to 15 months in prison for $177,000 in fraudulent credit union loansRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Benton man was sentenced Monday to 15 months in prison for defrauding a local credit union out of $177,000.
Larry Wayne Toms Jr., 42, of Benton, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of bank fraud. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $161,066 restitution. According to the December 12, 2018 guilty plea, Toms, who is a car dealer in Bossier City, Louisiana, submitted fraudulent loan applications for the purchase of three cars from June 1, 2015 to July 23, 2015 to the Post Office Employees Federal Credit Union in Shreveport, and the credit union disbursed $177,000 to Toms. The three vehicles listed in loan applications did not exist.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.
Shreveport felon sentenced to 41 months in prison for possessing a handgun, ammunitionRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport felon was sentenced Thursday to three years and five months in prison for possessing a handgun with an obliterated serial number.
Jarvis L. Alexander, 33, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the January 12, 2018 guilty plea, a Shreveport Police officer was attempting to execute an arrest warrant at a Canal Street residence when the officer came upon Alexander sleeping in a car in the driveway. The officer asked Alexander to step out of the car and noticed a black and silver handgun in the driver’s door compartment. The loaded Smith and Wesson SD 40 caliber handgun also had an obliterated serial number. Alexander has a previous felony conviction in Caddo Parish.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields prosecuted the case.
Monroe felon pleads guilty to possessing pistolRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Monroe resident pleaded guilty Thursday to illegal possession of a loaded pistol at his residence.
Daryl Nelson, 49, of Monroe, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea will be final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurce Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, Monroe police executed a search warrant on March 28, 2017 and found Nelson alone in bed with a loaded Ruger, Model P85, 9-mm caliber pistol. The firearm belonged to Nelson, and he has been convicted of multiple felonies. During the same search, officers found a loaded Glock, model 26, 9 mm caliber pistol that belonged to codefendant Santron Jones, 33, of Monroe. Jones has been previously convicted to two drug felonies and is not allowed to possess a handgun.
The defendants face up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and forfeiture of the seized weapons. The court set sentencing for August 29, 2018. Jones pleaded guilty February 15, 2018 to the firearms count. The court set sentencing for May 21, 2018.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The ATF and Monroe Metro Narcotics conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.
Illegal alien from Mexico pleads guilty to illegally reentering the United States for 4th timeRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that an illegal alien from Mexico pleaded guilty to reentering the United States after having been previously removed from the United States on three occasions.
Alberto Rodriguez-Perez, 39, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count of illegal reentry of a previously deported alien. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, a deportation officer encountered Rodriguez-Perez while at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center. The officer later discovered that Rodriguez-Perez was illegally in the United States having been previously deported in 2004, 2010 and 2013.
Rodriguez-Perez faces up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. If he is found to have been removed subsequent to a prior felony offense, or three or more misdemeanor offenses involving drugs, crimes against a person, or both, the defendant will face 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for August 30, 2018.
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy is prosecuting the case.
Priority One: Protecting Our CommunitiesRead the Press Release
By U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph
As our Constitution provides, it is my duty as the newly appointed United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” We are a nation of laws, designed to promote and foster an environment where citizens can live in safety and security. Working in cooperation with our federal, state and local partners throughout the 42 parishes that constitute the District, I intend to achieve that goal by focusing the priorities of my office on reducing violent crime, enforcing immigration laws, stemming the nationwide opioid epidemic, ferreting out public corruption and protecting our environment and natural resources.
After years of decline, violent crime rates in our state are on the rise. United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions and I are committed to using the Department of Justice’s law enforcement and community resources to combat violent crime at every turn. I have instructed the prosecutors in my office to take every action available to take guns out of the hands of felons and remove armed felons and drug dealers from our streets and neighborhoods. In furtherance of this aim, we are pursuing the most serious charges supported by the evidence against violent offenders. One way we are implementing this directive is through the reinvigorated Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which prosecutes felons and individuals involved in criminal enterprises, such as drug trafficking, that are in possession of firearms and pose a threat to the neighborhoods where they operate. Moving forward in this way will reduce crime by removing the worst offenders from neighborhoods – thereby allowing the families living in those neighborhoods to live their lives in peace.
Enforcement of our country’s immigration laws is of vital importance to the supremacy of law in our country and protects our citizens by ensuring dangerous aliens are deported. The promise of the American Dream has brought us immigrants from across the globe seeking life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These immigrants have contributed greatly to our country and have made it what it is today. But the foundation of the success of America, and what allows our democracy to flourish, is our shared commitment to the Rule of Law. There is nothing compassionate about the failure to enforce immigration laws. Rather, our failure to faithfully enforce those laws puts our nation at risk of crime and even terrorism. So, my office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who violate our immigration laws, particularly aliens with violent criminal histories.
Consistent enforcement of our immigration laws also protects immigrants from exploitation and American workers from unfair competition. Illegal aliens use our roads, schools and hospitals, often without paying into the system as taxpayers. Accordingly, those who hire illegal immigrants are unlawfully pushing a portion of their labor costs onto the taxpayers and hospitals of Louisiana. For that reason, my office will also hold accountable those businesses who ignore immigration laws and hire illegal aliens.
Opioid abuse is now among our country’s most pressing law enforcement and public health crises. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control reported that 115 Americans die every day from opioid overdose, about 40 percent of which involves a prescription drug. My office will use all the tools at its disposal to prosecute drug crime, including those crimes committed by doctors and other medical professionals who run “pill mills.” In addition to prosecutions, my office will also continue its community outreach efforts to warn the public—particularly young people—of the dangers posed by illegal drugs. Those efforts have and will continue to include, in cooperation with the DEA, FBI and others, presentations to our schoolchildren throughout the District that explain the dangers of opioids and drug abuse.
Public corruption erodes the public’s confidence in government and deprives individuals and businesses of fair treatment. We must make sure that our public servants are putting Louisianans first and let the world know that Louisiana is a great place to live and a great place to do business. As such, we will aggressively prosecute those who violate the public’s trust and use public office as a way to illegally line their own pockets.
Louisiana is a beautiful state with a vast, diverse ecosystem that is rich in natural resources. These environmental treasures should be protected from those who would illegally exploit or damage them. Our office has prosecuted and will continue to aggressively prosecute those who poison our environment and will seek restitution for any damages they inflict.
Obviously, my office does not act alone in its mission. The dedicated men and women of the office work cooperatively with other federal agencies and our state and local law enforcement partners. It is through coming together and upholding the Rule of Law that we faithfully execute the principles inherent in our Constitution and ultimately “secure the blessings of liberty” for our citizens.
David C. Joseph was appointed by President Donald Trump to be the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, which consists of 42 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes and encompasses two-thirds of the State of Louisiana. This area covers the cities of Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport. Sworn in on March 30, 2018, Joseph oversees the investigation and litigation of all criminal and civil cases brought on behalf of the United States in the Western District. For more information visit, www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Colombian alien pleads guilty to using stolen identity to obtain ID, driver’s license in MonroeRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that an illegal alien from Colombia pleaded guilty Wednesday to using a stolen birth certificate and Social Security card to obtain identification cards in Monroe.
Jimmy Hurtado, 35, of Colombia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty to one count of falsely representing to be a citizen of the United States, one count of false representation and use of a Social Security number, and one count of aggravated identity theft. According to the guilty plea, Hurtado used the identity of a United States citizen from Puerto Rico in 2010 to obtain a state-issued identification card from the Monroe Department of Public Safety Office. He supplied a birth certificate and a Social Security number. He renewed the identification card in 2011 and 2012 and obtained a driver’s license using the same documents he used to obtain the state-issued identification card.
Hurtado faces up to three years in prison for the false representation count, five years in prison for the Social Security count, and a mandatory two years in prison for the identity theft count, which is to run consecutively to sentences of the other two counts. He also faces three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for July 11, 2018.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, ATF and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick is prosecuting the case.
Dallas man sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing, transporting drugs in Caddo ParishRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Dallas man was sentenced to 120 months in prison last week for possessing drugs in a vehicle that was stopped in Caddo Parish.
Xavier Martin Guerra, 34, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the January 18, 2018 guilty plea, a Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputy pulled over a vehicle on February 5, 2017 Guerra was riding in while on his way from Dallas Texas. Guerra was found to have an active warrant in Panola County, Texas, for forgery and was arrested. Deputies searched the vehicle and found 311.5 grams of methamphetamine in a plastic drinking cup, a total of 7.4016 grams of methamphetamine in three baggies, a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun in a laundry basket, a drugs scale, pills and a drug ledger. They also found a cell phone and $4,435 on Guerra. He admitted to possessing the items and stated that the driver was unaware he was transporting drugs.
The DEA and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tennille M. Gilreath and Allison D. Bushnell prosecuted the case.
4 Shreveport felons sentenced in 4 cases on firearms chargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that four Shreveport felons were sentenced last week on firearms charges that are part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program.
“These prosecutions will lead to safer neighborhoods in Shreveport and the surrounding cities and parishes,” Joseph stated. “Federal laws concerning the manufacture, sale, use and possession of firearms do not only regulate firearms, they also keep firearms out of the hands of those who would use them to harm others and remove dangerous felons from our streets. I want to thank the prosecutors, the Shreveport Police Department, and the ATF for working together to bring these cases to a successful conclusion.”
To find out more about each case, see below:
Shreveport man sentenced to 3 years in prison for possessing revolver
Kevin Anthony Dison Jr., 22, of Shreveport, was sentenced on April 23, 2018 to 36 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the December 18, 2017 guilty plea, Shreveport Police officers stopped the vehicle Dison was driving on April 11, 2017. Police searched the vehicle and found a loaded Rossi revolver, model .38 caliber, which was located on the floorboard partially under the driver’s seat. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.
Shreveport man sentenced to 57 months for possessing handgun in vehicle
Terrance Terze Cochran, 19, of Shreveport, was sentenced on April 23, 2018 to four years and nine months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the December 11, 2017 guilty plea, a Shreveport Police officer attempted to pull over Cochran’s vehicle on January 11, 2017. Cochran slowed down, jumped out of the car while it was still moving, and fled on foot after losing a shoe. Another Shreveport Police officer saw Cochran fleeing a couple blocks away and ran after him. The officer tried to handcuff Cochran, but Cochran resisted and grabbed for his waistband several times. Another officer arrived, saw Cochran had a gun in his waistband and was able to assist the first officer in cuffing Cochran. The first officer sustained an injured hand in the altercation, which required surgery. The officers found a loaded Ruger P89 .9 mm semiautomatic handgun stuffed in Cochran’s pants. Officers also found .5 grams of cocaine, .5 grams of crack cocaine and more than a gram of marijuana on him. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara prosecuted the case.
Shreveport man sentenced to 5 years in prison for exchanging methamphetamine for a handgun
Jason Brian Wallace, 33, of Shreveport, was sentenced Wednesday to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the December 19, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents operating in an undercover capacity set up a controlled buy with Wallace on July 5, 2017 in Shreveport. Wallace met the undercover agent in a car and exchanged 3.5 grams of methamphetamine for a Sig Sauer, model P226 9 mm pistol. Wallace took out the methamphetamine, weighed it with a portable scale and placed it in a baggie before giving it to the undercover agent. After exiting the vehicle, police arrived to arrest him. When Wallace saw the police, he discarded 18 grams of methamphetamine, which was later recovered. Wallace has a 2011 felony conviction in Louisiana for operating a clandestine drug laboratory. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.
Shreveport man sentenced to 58 months in prison for possessing three handguns on court house property
Deantre D. Caldwell, 30, of Shreveport, was sentenced Friday to four years and 10 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the January 5, 2018 guilty plea, Caldwell was traveling in the front passenger seat of a car that was rear-ended on April 24, 2017 near the intersection of Caddo and Market streets. The two drivers and Caldwell exited the vehicle. Caldwell had one of the drivers retrieve a backpack containing firearms from the front seat of the car he was traveling in, and he hid it in bushes outside of the Tom Stagg U.S. Court House. When officers arrived, a guard on duty at the federal court house informed the officers that he had seen Caldwell move the backpack. Officers found the bag, and it contained a Diamondback, model: DB-15, multi-caliber pistol; a Glock, model: 27GEN4, .40 caliber pistol; and a Glock, model 30GEN4, .45 auto caliber pistol. The driver said the backpack belonged to Caldwell. The defendant was convicted of illegal use of a weapon on February 21, 2007 in Caddo Parish and was restricted from possessing firearms. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields prosecuted the case.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigations into each case.
These cases are part of PSN, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Sulphur man pleads guilty to storing child pornography onlineRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Sulphur man pleaded guilty last week to storing child pornography online.
Cameron Deshown Fairley, 27, of Sulphur, Louisiana, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of possession of child pornography. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, Fairley maintained an online data storage account from September 2016 to February 2017 where he possessed images and videos of child pornography. He used the account to access and view child pornography. Some of the images involved children under the age of 12.
Fairley faces up to 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release registration as a sex offender and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for July 26, 2018.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Pollock prisoner from Opelousas sentenced to 12 months in prison for possessing an improvised knifeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Pollock prisoner from Opelousas was sentenced last week to 12 months and one day in prison for possessing an improvised knife.
Torrey Griffin, 27, of Opelousas, Louisiana, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possessing contraband in a prison. He was also sentenced to one year of supervised release. According to the January 19, 2018 guilty plea, Griffin was searched at the U.S. Penitentiary in Pollock, Louisiana, on July 30, 2017. A prison guard discovered that Griffin could not clear the metal detector, and during a pat down, the guard removed a knife from Griffin’s pants. The knife was approximately 6 and a half inches long and made of metal sharpened on one end.
The FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons-Special Investigative Services conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case.
Georgia woman sentenced to 8 years in prison for mail fraud charge in stolen vehicle title schemeRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Georgia woman was sentenced last week to 96 months in prison for her role in a scheme to illegally obtain Louisiana titles for stolen vehicles.
Quinetta Grant, 45, of Suwanee, Georgia, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of mail fraud. She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $300,000 restitution. According to the October 25, 2016 guilty plea, Grant sent a title application and supporting documents for a stolen vehicle in May of 2015 to a resident in Monroe who then submitted the documents to an Office of Motor Vehicles authorized automobile title processor in West Monroe, Louisiana. The title processor was a private business contracted to work with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles to process title applications.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.
Federal grand jury indicts two for stealing $536,000 from children’s meal programRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a federal grand jury returned charges against two Shreveport individuals who ran a nonprofit corporation for stealing more than $536,000 from a program meant to supply meals to children during the summer.
Lynn D. Cawthorne, 51, and Belena C. Turner, 46, both of Shreveport, are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and seven counts of wire fraud. According to the indictment, the Food and Nutrition Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the Child Nutrition Programs. The Child Nutrition Programs include the Summer Feeding Service Program (SFSP), which was established to ensure that children in low-income areas continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session during the summer.
United Citizens and Neighborhoods (UCAN) is a non-profit corporation that participated as a sponsor in the SFSP. Cawthorne is the president of UCAN, and Turner is the director, representing herself to be its executive director. Cawthorne Catering and Harvest Catering Inc. are businesses that allegedly provided catering services for UCAN. Beginning sometime in early 2011 and continuing until sometime in December 2015, the defendants fraudulently obtained more than $536,000 from the SFSP by engaging in numerous activities to defraud, included filing claims for reimbursement that greatly inflated the number of eligible meals provided, thus claiming more children were fed at UCAN sites than were actually fed. Also money was transferred to the catering companies and other entities so that the defendants could improperly use funds that were entrusted to UCAN for the SFSP.
The defendants face 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine for each count.
The Louisiana State Inspector General, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, FBI and the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General investigated the case. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph urges public to dispose of unused prescription drugsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, LAFAYETTE, MONROE, ALEXANDRIA, LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph urges the public to discard unused prescription drugs this weekend at area collection sites during Drug Take Back Day.
“The DEA’s Drug Take Back Day gives the public an opportunity to rid homes of unnecessary and potentially dangerous drugs without discarding them into our environment or letting them fall into the hands of those who would abuse them,” Joseph stated. “Discarding these items is one way we can safely remove substances such as opioids from our communities and reduce chances that they could be stolen or misplaced.”
Last fall Americans turned in 456 tons (912,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,300 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 14 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 9 million pounds—more than 4,500 tons—of pills.
Unused medicines in the home are a problem because the majority of the 6.4 million Americans who abused prescription drugs in 2015, including the almost 4 million who abused prescription painkillers, say they obtained those drugs from friends and family, including from a home medicine cabinet, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health released last month. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin; four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers. In 2016, nearly 64,000 people died of drug overdoses in America – with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, and common opioid painkillers like Percocet and OxyContin topping other causes of overdose, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses because of these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
The DEA will have collection sites across the country on Saturday, April 28, for those who are interested in bringing their unused or expired prescription drugs for proper disposal. Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites – liquids and needles or other sharp objects will not be accepted. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Prescription drugs can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 28, at:
Shreveport
- Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s Safety Town in the parking lot of Summer Grove Baptist Church, 8910 Jewella Ave.
Monroe
- Louisiana State Police, Troop F, 3811 Desiard St.
- University of Louisiana at Monroe Police Department, 1240 LA 594
Alexandria
- Alexandria City Marshal’s Office, 515 Washington St.
- Alexandria Police Department, 1000 Bolton Ave.
Lafayette
- Lafayette Sheriff’s Office, 1825 W. Willow St.
Lake Charles
- Lake Charles Police Department, 900 Lake Short Drive (Civic Center)
- Louisiana State Police, Troop D, 805 Main St.
The public can also find other collection sites by visiting Takebackday.dea.gov, and following the links to a database where they enter their zip code. Additionally, there are permanent drop-off boxes, which can also be found at Takebackday.dea.gov.
Mississippi felon pleads guilty to possessing rifle in car after Delhi, La traffic stopRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Mississippi resident pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegal possession of a rifle and ammunition after being stopped for speeding in Dehli.
Terrance Deon Jordan, 35, of Terry, Mississippi, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurce Hicks Jr. to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the guilty plea, a Louisiana State Police trooper pulled over Jordan’s vehicle on June 2, 2017 in Dehli, Louisiana, for speeding 104 miles per hour in a 70-mile-an-hour zone. The trooper saw a rifle with a shortened stock in the driver’s seat next to Jordan’s right leg when he approached the vehicle. The firearm was later identified as a Norinco rifle: SKS; caliber: .223; and the trooper also found ammunition. Jordan is a felon who was convicted in Mississippi on multiple charges.
Jordan faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and forfeiture of the seized weapons. The court set sentencing for August 29, 2018.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The ATF and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford is prosecuting the case.
Illegal alien from Mexico sentenced to 18 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm in Bernice, LaRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Mexican national was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in prison for being an illegal alien in possession of a rifle.
Gerardo C. Rodriguez, 53, of Samluispotosi, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. On December 11, 2016 around midnight, Union Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbing-the-peace call at an apartment complex in Bernice, Louisiana. Deputies found Rodriguez intoxicated and passed out in his car with the keys in the ignition. They arrested Rodriguez and towed his vehicle. While in the back of the deputies’ car, Rodriguez tried to kick out the windows and also tried to kick the deputies multiple times when they opened the doors to get him out. At the detention center, deputies noticed a gunshot wound to his thigh and sent him to the hospital for treatment. The next day, Rodriguez told deputies he shot himself accidentally with a .22 caliber pistol while drunk. He also told deputies he owned a rifle seized from his vehicle the day before. Rodriguez admitted to re-entering the United States illegally and possessing the rifle as a convicted felon. Rodriguez was previously convicted of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm in 2004, after which Rodriguez was removed to Mexico.
Homeland Security Investigations, ATF and Union Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara prosecuted the case.
Clarks, La man sentenced to 60 months in prison for possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimeRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Clarks man was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison for possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Billy Wayne Rider, 49, of Clarks, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was also sentenced to two years of supervised release. According to the November 7, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents searched Rider’s home on February 2, 2017, and found 11 firearms and six plastic baggies of methamphetamine. The firearms recovered from the residence were: a Marlin, Model XT-22, caliber .22 LR rifle; Savage, Model 15, caliber .22 LR, rifle; Mossberg, Model 835 ulti-Mag, caliber 12 gauge, shotgun; Marlin Firearms Co., Model 60, .22 caliber, rifle; High Standard, model Sport King, .22 LR caliber rifle; Marlin Firearms Co., model X7, 7-08 caliber rifle; Wards Western Field, Model 878, 12 gauge, shotgun; Taurus, Model 80, .38 caliber, revolver; Clarke Technicorp, Clerke 1st, .22 LR caliber, revolver; Remington Arms Co., Model 770, 30-06 caliber, rifle; and a black silencer.
The ATF and Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.
Shreveport man sentenced to 86 months in prison for methamphetamine distribution, firearm possessionRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced Thursday to seven years and two months in prison for distributing methamphetamine and illegally possessing a revolver.
Christopher De’Lanio Taylor, 30, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the January 12, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement agents observed Taylor selling methamphetamine on August 3, 2016 and September 14, 2016. They later searched his home and found synthetic marijuana, digital scales, baggies containing white residue, 62.73 grams of methamphetamine, $3,450, and a Smith and Wesson, Model 30, .32 long caliber revolver with ammo.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The ATF, Caddo/Shreveport Narcotics Mid-Level Investigation Unit, and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary J. Mudrick and J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.
Shreveport man sentenced to 2 years in prison for possessing a pistol after felony arrestRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport felon was sentenced Thursday to 24 months in prison for possessing a pistol he displayed on a social media video even though he was a convicted felon.
Tramarciea Jovan Ruffins, 24, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of firearm possession by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced three years of supervised release. According to the January 12, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement discovered video of Ruffins on a social media site holding a black Glock pistol with a flashlight attached. Agents questioned Ruffins who said he took the weapon without permission from his cousin’s vehicle. The weapon was eventually found at a Shreveport pawnshop. The handgun was identified as a Glock, model 41Gen4, .45 caliber pistol. Ruffins is a previously convicted felon.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields prosecuted the case.
Oakdale prisoner sentenced to 51 months for assaulting fellow inmateRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that an Oakdale inmate was sentenced Tuesday to four years and three months in prison for assaulting another inmate.
Frank Quinton Gaitor, 49, of Washington County, Tennessee, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and must pay $18,513.93 restitution. According to the February 7, 2018 guilty plea, Gaitor assaulted and intentionally struck a fellow inmate on January 2, 2016 at the Federal Correctional Center in Oakdale, Louisiana. The assault left the inmate with serious bodily injuries.
The FBI and U.S. Bureau of Prisons conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Ayo and Jamilla A. Bynog prosecuted the case.
Louisiana man sentenced to 30 months in prison for escape from Texas federal correctional institutionRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Charles K. Smith was sentenced Tuesday to 30 months in prison for escaping from a prison in Texas.
Charles K. Smith, 64, originally from Pineville, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of escape from a federal incarceration institution. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the January 11, 2018 guilty plea, Smith escaped on August 16, 2017 from the Federal Correctional Institution La Tuna located near Anthony, Texas. He was serving 94-months for a Shreveport conviction of possession of a stolen motor vehicle. After his escape, Smith was later arrested in Calcasieu Parish.
The U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.