Western District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Pollock prisoner pleads guilty to possessing knifeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Pollock prisoner pleaded guilty last week to possessing a knife.
Eric Judy Blair, 40, a Pollock prisoner, pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of possessing contraband in a prison. According to the guilty plea, prison guards were observing inmates going through a metal detector during a random search on June 11, 2017 at the U.S. Penitentiary at Pollock, La. When Blair could not clear the metal detector, he entered a second time and failed again. During a pat down, guards found a homemade metal knife approximately six and one-half inches long.
Blair faces up to five years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for May 18, 2018.
The FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons-Special Investigative Services conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.
Pineville man sentenced to 30 months in prison for possessing child pornography onlineRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Pineville man was sentenced last week to two and a half years in prison for using an online storage site to house child pornography.
Brandon McNamara, 26, of Pineville, La., was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possession of child pornography. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and is required to register as a sex offender. According to the August 28, 2017 guilty plea, Canadian law enforcement agents arrested a resident of British Columbia in 2016 for online child pornography distribution. Canadian agents identified McNamara’s online alias as one of 57 different users exchanging child pornography with the Canadian defendant. Canadian agents alerted U.S. law enforcement, and McNamara was questioned on December 9, 2016. He admitted to possessing images of child pornography and said they were being stored on an online storage account.
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 Vancouver Royal Canadian Mounted Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamilla A. Bynog and David J. Ayo prosecuted the case.
Former New Iberia sergeant pleads guilty to assault of detaineeRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – David Prejean, a former Sergeant in the K-9 Unit of the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office (IPSO), pleaded guilty today to assaulting a pre-trial detainee at the Iberia Parish Jail (IPJ) by commanding his K-9 to bite the detainee, and by striking the detainee, all without justification, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook for the Western District of Louisiana.
According to the charges and other information presented in Court, Prejean was a K-9 Sergeant on the IMPACT Unit, a specialized unit at IPSO. On Dec. 6, 2012, Prejean was called to the Iberia Parish Jail to assist with a shakedown. During the course of the shakedown, an inmate—M.R.—turned to look at Prejean after being told not to, at which point Prejean threw M.R. to the ground and then commanded his dog to bite M.R. Prejean also struck M.R. several times. Despite the fact that M.R. had complied with Prejean’s commands and did not pose a threat to anyone on the rec yard, Prejean allowed the dog to bite M.R. for several seconds before pulling him off of M.R. Prejean’s unlawful use of force resulted in injury to M.R. Following the assault, Prejean wrote a false report designed to cover up his unjustified use of force.
“Every person in the United States, including those who are incarcerated, is protected by the U.S. Constitution,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “When the officers we expect to uphold the rights enshrined in the Constitution willfully violate them, the Justice Department will aggressively prosecute those officers and uphold the rule of law.”
“Law enforcement officers respond to dangerous situations and put their lives at risk every day to serve and protect the public,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “For this sacrifice they have our thanks and respect. Officers also have a moral and legal obligation to protect the civil rights of those in their custody. Those officers who willfully abuse prisoners in their care and violate their rights will be held accountable.”
David Prejean, 38, of Lafayette, Louisiana, will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Dee D. Drell, on May 18 in Alexandria, Louisiana.
This case was investigated by the Lafayette Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Tona Boyd of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant United States Attorney Mary Mudrick of the Western District of Louisiana.
U.S. Attorney’s Office collects nearly $15 million in civil, criminal, asset forfeiture actions in FY2017Read the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La.: United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana collected $14,869,623 through civil, criminal and asset forfeiture actions in fiscal year 2017. Generally, the money collected is used to restore funds to crime victims and to recover money owed to the United States.
The District collected more than $13 million in criminal actions and $1.2 million in civil actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also worked with its law enforcement partners to collect almost $60,000 in asset forfeiture actions in fiscal year 2017.
Included in the FY2017 criminal collections is $9.5 million collected from Wood Group PSN Inc. and $1.2 million collected from Omega Protein Inc. Wood Group previously pleaded guilty to violations of the Clean Water Act, as well as one count of falsifying documents, and was sentenced to pay more than $9 million in criminal fines and restitution. Omega Protein also pleaded guilty to Clean Water Act violations and was sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $1 million plus $200,000 restitution.
The total amount collected by the District in FY2017 included almost $1 million collected in garnishment proceedings commenced by the District’s Financial Litigation Unit (FLU). The money collected is attributable to aggressive asset investigations and garnishment of various financial interests of debtors including retirement and other investment accounts, pensions and annuities, life insurance policies, bank accounts and wages. The FLU also placed an emphasis on increasing its garnishment of assets held in the name of nominee business entities.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Overall, the Justice Department collected more than $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017.
“It takes long hours and great effort from our attorneys and support staff to track down and collect these funds,” stated U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “The money is often owed by defendants who resist repaying victims of crime. I am thankful for our dedicated employees who, for another year, brought in a record amount in collections on behalf of crime victims and taxpayers.”
St. Martinville man sentenced to 60 months in prison for drug distribution, firearms possessionRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a St. Martinville man was sentenced to five years in prison for drug distribution and firearm charges.
Clay Anthony Robertson, 31, of St. Martinville, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to five years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to four years of supervised release. According to the October 23, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents searched Robertson’s former apartment in Lafayette on January 19, 2017. Law enforcement agents recovered more than 500 grams of cocaine, 31 grams of marijuana dipped in Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wax and $64,280. Law enforcement also recovered a .40 caliber pistol, a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, 30 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and 41 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. Agents also discovered that the .40 caliber pistol was stolen, and that Robertson had previously been convicted of a felony controlled substance offense.
The DEA, ATF, Lafayette Metro Narcotics Task Force and the St. Martin Parish Narcotics Division of the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.
Opelousas man sentenced to 57 months in prison for illegal possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that an Opelousas man was sentenced Thursday to more than four years in prison for possessing a pistol even though he was previously convicted of a felony and prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Willie Jamal Reynolds, 28, of Opelousas, La., 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 September 15, 2017 guilty plea, police arrested Reynolds on June 3, 2017 for possessing a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol. After further investigation, police found a 15-minute video online of Reynolds and a friend in the presence of numerous firearms. Reynolds was convicted of a felony in September of 2013 and is not allowed to possess a firearm.
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 and the Opelousas Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.
Last defendant in St. Mary Parish cocaine conspiracy sentenced to 8 years in prisonRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Houston man was sentenced Thursday to 96 months in prison for his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy operated in St. Mary Parish.
Omar Mascorro, 42, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the guilty plea, Mascorro was the source of the cocaine provided to Artey D. Foulcard, 39, of Franklin, La., who then provided to others to distribute. The drugs were distributed in St. Mary Parish, Ascension Parish and Baton Rouge from January 2000 to June 2015.
The other members of the conspiracy are:
Barry Druilhet, 44, of Baldwin, La., was found guilty after a three-day trial that ended on August 2, 2017 of conspiracy and use of a communication facility in facilitating a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced on December 21, 2017 to 240 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Duanyell Williams, 43, of Franklin, La., pleaded guilty on June 19, 2017 to conspiracy, and he was sentenced on December 15, 2017 to 55 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Michael McDaniel, 44, of Missouri City, Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on April 25, 2017, and he was sentenced on October 19, 2017 to 110 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
Cordell Johnson, 40, of Jeanerette, La., pleaded guilty on June 26, 2017 to conspiracy, and he was sentenced on October 19, 2017 to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
Calvin Burrell, 50, of Franklin, pleaded guilty on April 25, 2017 to conspiracy, and he was sentenced on October 19, 2017 to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
D’Arnold T. Deville, 49, of Bourg, La., was transferred to the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans on July 12, 2017 where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and additional charges.
Foulcard previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance in a bill of information in January 2016 in the Western District of Louisiana. The case was transferred to the Middle District of Louisiana in Baton Rouge in February 2016, and he was sentenced on March 2, 2017 to 85 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
The defendants were arrested as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation named “Hater Hurterz.” The FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert F. Moore and Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.
Eunice company’s former IT manager sentenced to 160 months for defrauding employer $2.8 millionRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a man from Duson was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud a Eunice pipeline company out of more than $2.8 million.
Richard Walter Borek Jr., 43, of Duson, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of wire fraud. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $2,858,975 restitution. According to the August 9, 2017 guilty plea, Borek worked as the information technology (IT) manager for a Eunice pipeline company from 2012 to 2016. He conducted a scheme where he bought cell phones and electronic tablets using company funds. He then sold them online to another company and kept the money for his own personal use. He also sold web hosting services and computer equipment to the pipeline company through his own company called Statix, even though the web hosting services were being provided by another company and the computer equipment was never delivered to the pipeline company’s office. The loss from the scheme included unauthorized electronics purchases, fraudulent charges from Statix and costs of the investigation total $2,858,975.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case.
Sulphur man pleads guilty to illegal possession of a silencerRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Sulphur man pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing a silencer.
Robert Reid Taylor, 46, of Sulphur, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm silencer. According to the guilty plea, Taylor was found with an unregistered firearm silencer on September 7, 2017. The silencer had no manufacturer’s markings or serial number. It was also not registered in the National Firearms and Transfer Record.
Taylor faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
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 conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Shreveport felon pleads guilty to possessing pistol found at residenceRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport man previously convicted of a felony pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing a pistol found in his residence.
Kenneth D. Mayweather, 20, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the guilty plea, the Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Street Level Investigative Unit searched a Shreveport residence on August 3, 2017 as part of a drug investigation. Three males were taken into custody during the search with two of them 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.
Mayweather faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of May 30, 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 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 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 Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Unit conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields is prosecuting the case.
Oakdale prisoner pleads guilty to assaulting fellow inmateRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that an Oakdale inmate pleaded guilty Wednesday to assaulting another inmate.
Frank Quinton Gaitor, 49, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Center, Oakdale, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter. According to the guilty plea, Gaitor assaulted and intentionally struck a fellow inmate on January 2, 2016 at the Federal Correctional Center in Oakdale. The assault left the inmate with serious bodily injuries.
Gaitor faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of April 17, 2018.
The FBI and U.S. Bureau of Prisons conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Ayo and Jamilla A. Bynog are prosecuting the case.
Mexico citizen pleads guilty to reentering the United States illegally for a sixth timeRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a citizen of Mexico pleaded guilty last week to reentering the country illegally after having previously been removed from the United States on five separate occasions.
Hector Gerardo Luna-Deleon, 28, of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of reentry of a removed alien. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter. According to the guilty plea, Lake Charles police encountered Luna-Deleon on November 10, 2017 following a traffic stop. Officers transported Luna-Deleon to the local U.S. Border Patrol station in Lake Charles, where it was discovered that Luna-Deleon had previously been removed from the United States on five separate occasions. Officers also discovered that Luna-Deleon had previously been arrested and found guilty in Texas in 2014 for driving while intoxicated. Luna-Deleon's previous removals occurred on January 12, 2015; April 28, 2016; May 17, 2016; June 23, 2016; and July 18, 2016. The court set sentencing for April 17, 2018.
Customs and Border Protection and Lake Charles Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy is prosecuting the case.
Citizen of Honduras pleads guilty to reentering the United States illegallyRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a citizen of Honduras pleaded guilty last week to reentering the United Staes illegally after having been removed.
Ever Salazar-Espinal, 30, of Honduras, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to illegal reentry of the United States by an alien following deportation or removal. According to the guilty plea’s factual basis, U.S. Border Patrol agents found Salazar-Espinal October 6, 2017 in Lake Charles and determined that he was in the United States illegally. An immigration records check showed that in 2014, immigration authorities had physically removed Salazar-Espinal from the United States to his native country, Honduras, as ordered by a U.S. immigration court. The records check further showed that the Immigration Court issued the order of removal after Salazar-Espinal was convicted in Nevada for felony possession of credit or debit cards without the cardholder’s consent.
Salazar-Espinal faces up to 10 months in prison, threes years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for April 17, 2018.
Customs and Border Protection and the Lake Charles Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel is prosecuting the case.
Ragley woman collects more than $75,000 of deceased mother-in-law’s VA benefitsRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Ragley woman pleaded guilty last week to taking more than $75,000 of her deceased mother-in-law’s benefits.
Vanneta Hudspeth, 57, of Ragley, La., pleaded guilty January 25 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of theft of government funds. According to the guilty plea, Hudspeth continued to receive her deceased mother-in-law’s Veterans Affairs benefits from March 2010 to June 2015 that she was not entitled to. Hudspeth made false statements on the mail-in questionnaire in 2014, stating that her mother-in-law was still living and entitled to receive benefits. Hudspeth collected $75,477.90 in VA benefits after her mother-in-law’s death in March 2010.
Hudspeth faces 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for April 17, 2018.
Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore is prosecuting the case.
Pineville man sentenced to 30 months in prison for cashing counterfeit checksRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Pineville man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months in prison for counterfeiting and cashing checks.
Deshan Spivey, 31, of Pineville, La., who is originally from Ruston, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of making and possessing counterfeit securities of political subdivisions of the State of Louisiana. He was also sentenced to two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $28,410 restitution. According to the October 30, 2017 guilty plea, Spivey used counterfeit checks that he manufactured to draw funds from the Rapides Parish School Board and Natchitoches Parish School Board in November 2015 and January 2017. Spivey cashed the checks at various retail outlets in the central Louisiana area.
The U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell is prosecuting the case.
Jennings man sentenced to 18 months in prison for posting nude photos online of female victimRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Jennings man was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in prison for posting nude photos online and threatening to post more photos of a female victim.
Christopher Redeaux, 21, of Jennings, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey for one count of interstate transmission of an extortionate communication. He was also sentenced to one year of supervised release. According to the October 11, 2018 guilty plea, Redeaux obtained nude pictures of a woman and threatened to publish them on the internet if the woman did not provide more photos. Redeaux posted some of the photos to Facebook using a fictitious account and sent a friend request to the victim and her friends. Redeaux harassed the victim through an online account and telephone calls. The victim filed a complaint with McNeese State University Police on December 2, 2015, and Redeaux was arrested on several state charges including cyberstalking, sexual battery and cyberbullying. Redeaux’s cell phone was searched and a folder containing the nude photos of the victim were found.
The FBI, McNeese State University Police and the Greater Houston Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamilla A. Bynog and T. Forrest Phillips prosecuted the case.
Beaumont man sentenced to 10 years in prison for kidnapping girls after theft in SulphurRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Beaumont man was sentenced Tuesday to 120 months in prison for kidnapping two girls after stealing the truck they were in.
Henry Dwight Moore, 23, of Beaumont, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey on one count of kidnapping. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the October 11, 2017 guilty plea, Moore drove a black truck into a Lowe’s parking lot in Sulphur, La., on December 13, 2015. He stole a customer’s purse who had walked away from it to return a shopping cart. A bystander saw Moore take the purse, and the bystander jumped into the back of Moore’s truck as he drove away. The truck’s engine died at one point, and the bystander attempted to confront him. Moore got the engine started again and sped off, leaving the bystander in the truck bed. Eventually Moore stopped and the bystander got out. Moore then continued westbound on Interstate 10 in the rain. He lost control and struck the side of a Toyota Tundra truck. After the accident, Moore’s truck died again, and he and the Tundra pulled over to the side of the road. After the Tundra owner exited the truck and walked to the passenger side to inspect the damage, Moore jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off. Inside the Tundra truck were the owner’s daughters ages 5 and 7. Moore told the girls he was going to drop them off at a police station but instead abandoned the car and the girls on the side of the road in Orange, Texas. The oldest girl located her father’s cell phone and called 911 for help.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog prosecuted the case.
Shreveport man pleads guilty to illegal possession of pistol after being arrested for feloniesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport felon pleaded guilty last week to illegally possessing a pistol after being convicted of multiple felonies.
Gabriel Jones, 36, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea will become final after it is accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, Shreveport police were executing a warrant for someone else on August 7, 2018 at Jones’ residence. During a search of the residence, police found marijuana in plain view, and they found a Ruger, Model P85, 9 mm caliber pistol, crack cocaine and additional marijuana in the back bedroom closet. The pistol had a 30 round extended magazine inside it. The other occupants of the residence denied ownership of the gun and said it belonged to Jones. Police also searched Jones’ cell phone and found images and data showing the pistol belonged to him. Jones was convicted on May 24, 2010 of aggravated flight from an officer and attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also convicted on December 6, 2004 in Caddo Parish of possession of marijuana, second offense,
Jones faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of May 10, 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 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 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, U.S. Marshals Service and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford is prosecuting the case.
Shreveport felon pleads guilty to possessing pistol while still on supervised releaseRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport man pleaded guilty last week to possessing a pistol even though he was still on supervised release and had been convicted of several felonies.
Derrick D. Morris, 36, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the guilty plea, Morris was arrested on August 4, 2017 at a gas station in Shreveport on a warrant for violating his supervised release. Officers found Morris with a Glock, Model 26, 9 mm pistol in the front seat area of the car. Morris was convicted in 2003 for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He additionally has two prior felony convictions by the State of Louisiana.
Morris faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of March 22, 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 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 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, U.S. Marshals Service and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. is prosecuting the case.
Shreveport man pleads guilty to possessing pistol after being arrested for a felonyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport man pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing a pistol even though he was a convicted felon.
Alvin Kincerely Law Jr., 30, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the 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. The 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.
Law faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of May 8, 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 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 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 Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown is prosecuting the case.
Bossier City woman pleads guilty to distributing methamphetamine, possessing firearmRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Bossier City woman pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm.
Erin W. O’Daniel, 35, Bossier City, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to the guilty plea, a Webster Parish sheriff’s deputy pulled over O’Daniel’s car on October 27, 2017 on Interstate 20. The deputy noticed a strong odor of marijuana and saw a large sum of cash in a bag in the center console of the car. The deputy searched the car and found two bags in the center console containing 282.7 grams of methamphetamine, two bags of marijuana, 14 ecstasy pills, a set of digital scales, plastic baggies and a .40 caliber loaded pistol. She was then arrested and taken to the Minden Police Department. She later stated she had more methamphetamine at home, and law enforcement agents recovered an additional 113.5 grams of methamphetamine in a box under her bed.
O’Daniel faces 10 years to life in prison for the conspiracy count and five years for the firearms count to run consecutive to the conspiracy count. She also faces four years of supervised release and a $10 million fine. The court set a sentencing date of May 8, 2018.
The DEA, Louisiana State Police, Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office and Minden Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Cowles Jr. and Aaron Crawford are prosecuting the case.
Lafayette man sentenced to 14 years in prison for receiving child pornography through FacebookRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Lafayette man was sentenced last week to 168 months in prison for enticing a minor into sending images of child pornography online.
Steven Anthony Lemoine, 29, of Lafayette, was sentenced January 18 by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of receiving child pornography. He was also sentenced to 15 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to the October 19, 2018 guilty plea, Lemoine posed as a female on Facebook and enticed a 12-year-old minor to send him images of child pornography on December 26, 2016 and January 5, 2017. Lemoine’s home was later searched, and he admitted to using the online persona to obtain the images.
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, Louisiana State Police and Marksville Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
Lafayette man pleads guilty to sending obscene picturesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Lafayette man pleaded guilty Tuesday to sending obscene pictures to an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a 10-year-old boy.
Kory Issac Wilson, 39, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count of transportation of obscene material. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, Wilson began communicating with an undercover law enforcement agent on October 12, 2016. The agent posed as a father who wanted help sexually exploiting a 10-year-old boy. Wilson then began communicating with a second undercover agent who posed as the 10-year-old boy. Wilson sent the second agent three sexually explicit pictures of himself via text message.
Wilson faces up to five years in prison, three of supervised release and up to a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for May 18, 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 Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys T. Forrest Phillips and John Luke Walker are prosecuting the case.
Federal grand jury indicts Shreveport businessman for defrauding $96 million from investors and financial institutionsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging a Shreveport businessman with scamming more than $96 million from investors and financial institutions.
David D. deBerardinis, 56, of Shreveport, was charged with four counts of wire fraud and one count of attempted bank fraud. According to the indictment, from 2008 to 2016, deBerardinis falsely represented himself through the use of fake documents, identities, business transactions and other false information to obtain more than $96 million from investors and lending institutions. He operated numerous business entities and represented himself as part of the petroleum industry involved in the sale, trade and transport of fuel. The defendant created fraudulent documents, including fake bank statements, fake checks, fuel trade agreements, promissory notes, tolling agreement letters, news articles, in-line production tickets and other fake documents to misrepresent his business activities to investors. He even disguised himself as an Orthodox Jewish businessman at one point while trying to obtain investor funds from a New York-based private equity group after hiring a professional makeup artist. He also falsely claimed to have obtained an international shippers’ license, which required vetting by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. Through these false statements and omissions to investors, deBerardinis obtained millions of dollars from investors in Shreveport, Louisiana and elsewhere.
The defendant faces 20 years in prison for the wire fraud counts and 30 years in prison for the attempted bank fraud count. He also faces a $1 million fine, restitution, forfeiture, and five years of supervised release for each count.
The FBI, U.S. Secret Service and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cytheria D. Jernigan, Christopher J. Stokes, Joseph A. Magliolo and Seth D. Reeg are prosecuting the case. The investigation and prosecution of this case has been a cooperative endeavor between the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Shreveport and Dallas.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Abbeville man sentenced to 70 years in prison for production, possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a former Vermilion Parish middle school teacher was sentenced last week to 70 years in prison for making and possessing child pornography.
James Stacey Harber, 33, of Abbeville, La., previously of Ohio, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on three counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He was also sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release and is required to register as a sex offender. According to the August 18, 2017 guilty plea, Harber began communicating with a woman in Abbeville while he was living in Ohio in 2010. They began having a sexual relationship online and communicating via online video. The woman later included her three minor children in the online sexual relationship. Harber moved to Abbeville in 2013 and gained employment at the Louisiana Office of Child Services and then as a middle school teacher. He sexually abused the woman’s children after moving to Louisiana in addition to recording sexually explicit images of them. Law enforcement agents searched Harber’s home on April 26, 2016 and found numerous images and videos of child pornography on various electronic media, which included images downloaded from the internet as well as images he recorded himself sexually exploiting the children.
“These types of horrific cases must not be allowed to continue,” said Van Hook. “It is vital that the public and people in the community help to bring these cases to light as happened in this case. This 70-year sentence shows our resolve to prosecute and convict to the fullest extent of the law.”
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 Abbeville Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
Shreveport tax preparer pleads guilty to filing false tax returns for self, customersRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a woman who owned a Shreveport tax preparation business pleaded guilty Monday to filing false taxes for herself and her clients even after her electronic filing number was revoked.
Deborah A. Turner, 47, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby to one count of making and subscribing a false tax return and one count of aiding and assisting in making and subscribing a false return. The plea will become final after it is accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, Turner owned Tax Express Refund, which is a tax preparation business located in Shreveport. The IRS revoked her Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) in January 2014, but she instead started using her daughter’s EFIN to continue filing tax returns. She filed numerous tax returns for clients for tax years 2011 to 2013 containing false information so they could claim deductions, credits and expenses to increase the size of their refunds. She also filed a false individual tax return for tax year 2013 where she failed to report $336,865 of income she received from her business.
Turner faces up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine for each count. The court set a sentencing date of April 2, 2018.
The IRS-Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan are prosecuting the case.
Shreveport felon pleads guilty to possessing pistolRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Shreveport felon pleaded guilty to possessing a pistol even though he was a convicted felon.
Jamario Montreal Harris, 31, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea will become final after it is accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents found Harris in possession of a .40 caliber Glock pistol on March 20, 2017. He was previously convicted of a felony and not allowed to possess a firearm.
Harris faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of April 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 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 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 Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath is prosecuting the case.
Former Breaux Bridge police officer pleads guilty to receiving child pornographyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a former Breaux Bridge Police officer pleaded guilty to receiving sexually explicit images.
Craig David Jr., 29, of Breaux Bridge, La. pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count of receiving child pornography. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks. According to the guilty plea, David received child pornography starting in January 2017 using an electronic device.
David faces up to 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
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 also leave tips with the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Tips may be submitted anonymously. The Lafayette FBI office number is (337) 233-2164.
The FBI and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth is prosecuting the case.
St. Mary Parish man sentenced to 18 months in prison for shirking sex offender registration requirementsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a St. Mary Parish man was sentenced last week to 18 months in prison for moving to Texas without updating his sex offender registration.
Forrest Tucker, 54, of Morgan City, La., was sentenced January 12 by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of failure to register as a sex offender. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release. According to the September 22, 2017 guilty plea, Tucker was convicted of a felony on April 17, 2008 that required him to register as a sex offender. After he served seven years in prison, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s officers checked his address after his release in 2014, and Tucker was found absent from his Morgan City residence. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and U.S. Marshals arrested Tucker on May 4, 2017 in a hotel in San Antonio, Texas.
The U.S. Marshals Service and the St. Mary Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.
Pollock prisoner pleads guilty possessing an improvised knifeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Pollock prisoner pleaded guilty to possessing an improvised knife.
Torrey Griffin, 27, a Pollock prisoner, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of possessing contraband in a prison. According to the guilty plea, Griffin was searched 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 six and a half inches long and made of metal sharpened on one end.
Griffin faces up to five years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for April 27, 2018.
The FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons-Special Investigative Services conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.
Tunica Biloxi tribal chairman pleads guilty to illegally taking more than $83,000 from tribeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Chairman Joey Barbry pleaded guilty Wednesday to illegally taking more than $83,000 from the tribe’s check cashing business.
Barbry, 40, of Mansura, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of theft from an Indian tribal organization. According to the guilty plea, Barbry cashed 105 non-sufficient fund (NSF) checks totaling $83,510 from July 2014 to November 2014 with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. Barbry made the checks out to the Tunica Biloxi Financial Services (TBFS), which is an organization the tribe owns that functions as a check cashing business for the tribal casino. Normal operation of the TBFS for NSF checks would require that the person writing NSF checks be placed into a computer tracking system and would be barred from writing further checks. The violator would also be turned over to the Avoyelles Parish District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution if the money was not repaid. TBFS manager Brent Barbre told employees not to input Barbry into the tracking system, and that he would handle the chairman’s NSF checks personally. Brent Barbre allowed the defendant to continue writing NSF checks because he was the chairman of the tribe and Brent Barbre’s supervisor.
Barbry faces five years in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph is prosecuting the case.
Tax preparer sentenced to 18 months in prison for tax scheme that led to more than $105,000 in IRS lossesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Scott tax preparer was sentenced last week to 18 months in prison for falsifying tax returns and causing the IRS to pay out more than $105,000.
Vida Prejean Thomas, 44, of Scott, La., was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false documents under Internal Revenue laws. She was also sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $105,813 restitution. According to the October 10, 2017 guilty plea, the IRS began investigating Thomas’ tax preparation business after receiving a tip alleging fraudulent activity. They interviewed nine of her customers and found that 2010 through 2013 personal income tax returns contained false information put there without their knowledge or authorization. The false returns Thomas prepared caused a loss of $105,813 to the IRS.
The IRS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph prosecuted the case.
Postal carrier pleads guilty to stealing mail containing prescriptions for veteransRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Monroe city postal carrier assistant pleaded guilty to taking parcels containing prescription drugs.
Bryan C. Massey, 31, of Oak Ridge, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of theft of mail matter by a postal service employee. The plea will become final after it is accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents learned that Veterans Affairs (VA) parcels containing prescription drugs were reported missing at the Main Post Office in Monroe. Agents narrowed down where the thefts were taking place and set up cameras. They recorded Massey, who worked as a city carrier assistant, taking the drug parcels and attempting to conceal his thefts by hiding the drug parcels among others he was carrying. When questioned, Massey admitted to taking at least 11 VA parcels from November 2016 to June 2017. Agents also searched his vehicle and found three pill bottles in the front right pocket of Massey’s postal uniform jacket. Each pill bottle contained an assorted number of white pills, which Massey had stolen from the VA parcels.
Massey faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of April 24, 2018.
The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick is prosecuting the case.
Illegal alien sentenced to 24 months in prison for returning to the United StatesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Mexican national was sentenced last week to 24 months in prison for reentering the United States illegally for the third time.
Isais Hernandez-Vasquez, 33, of Mexico, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of reentry by a removed alien without permission. According to the September 7, 2017 guilty plea, Hernandez-Vasquez was arrested on July 17, 2014 in St. Martin Parish. He pleaded guilty and was convicted on June 2, 2017 of attempted possession of methamphetamine. Agents later encountered him and discovered that he had been previously removed from the United States. He was removed on August 27, 2009 and April 3, 2014 after criminal convictions. He was not authorized to return to the United States.
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.
Tullos man pleads guilty to illegally possessing an unregistered silencerRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Tullos man pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing a homemade silencer that he had not registered.
Joshua Womack, 33, of Tullos, La., pleaded guilty before Chief District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possession of an unregistered firearm. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents received information that Womack possessed a rifle with a silencer on December 15, 2015. Agents later questioned Womack, and he admitted to owning a Marlin, .22 caliber rifle. He told agents that he did not own a firearm silencer but had possessed one that was attached to the rifle. The silencer was not registered in the National Firearms and Registration and Transfer Record.
Womack faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine. He also faces forfeiture of the weapons seized. The court set sentencing for April 6, 2018.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm.
The ATF and Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath prosecuted the case.
Lafayette woman pleads guilty to stealing nearly $1.5 million from Broussard businessRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Lafayette woman pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing almost $1.5 million from a Broussard oilfield related company.
Susan M. Benoit, 54, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to two counts of wire fraud. The plea will become final after it is accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, Benoit worked for a Broussard, La., oilfield related company from 1998 to 2016. As the accountant and later as Chief Financial Officer, Benoit had access to the company’s bank accounts and transferred $1,490,588.70 from company accounts to her personal bank account.
Benoit faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution, forfeiture and a $250,000 fine. The court set April 10, 2018 as the sentencing date.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger is prosecuting the case.
Former Elmer postal route carrier pleads guilty to burning U.S. mailRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a former U.S. Postal employee from Pitkin pleaded guilty Thursday to burning U.S. mail.
Mark Wayne Thompson, 50, of Pitkin, La. pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of use of delay or destruction of mail by a postal employee. According to the guilty plea, Thompson took mail from his rural postal route in Elmer, La., to his residence from December 1, 2016 to May 1, 2017 where he burned it. He estimated that he burned at least 20 tubs of mail.
Thompson faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set an April 6, 2018 sentencing date.
The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys T. Forrest Phillips is prosecuting the case.
Lake Charles woman pleads guilty to stealing more than $71,000 of father’s social security benefitsRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Lake Charles woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing more than $71,000 of her deceased father’s Social Security benefits.
Heather Vincent, 43, of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of theft of government funds. According to the guilty plea, Vincent’s father died on February 1, 2014. From that time until February 28, 2017, Vincent did not notify Social Security that her father was deceased, and she received and spent $71,463 in benefits as they were deposited into his bank account.
Vincent faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set an April 17, 2018 sentencing date.
The Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips is prosecuting the case.
Three Texas men sentenced for bringing a minor to Shreveport for prostitutionRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Freeport, Texas, man was sentenced last week to 88 months in prison for transporting a minor to Shreveport to engage in prostitution.
Jacob Cuellar, 27, of Freeport, Texas, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of illegal transportation of an individual to engage in prostitution. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to the guilty pleas, Cuellar and co-defendants Quince Aluiso, 20, and Shawn Aluiso, 28, both of Clute, Texas, transported a minor to Shreveport on October 6, 2015 to engage in prostitution. Law enforcement agents responded to an online advertisement the same day in an undercover capacity. The defendants were later arrested at a Shreveport hotel.
Shawn and Quince Aluiso pleaded guilty to illegal transportation on March 16, 2017. Shawn Aluiso was sentenced on July 24, 2017 to 100 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Quince Aluiso was sentenced on September 18, 2017 to 22 months in prison and five years of supervised release. They are both required to register as sex offenders.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.
Shreveport felon sentenced to 63 months in prison for possessing sawed-off shotgunRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced last week to 63 months in prison for possessing a sawed-off shotgun hidden behind a wall.
Dylan G. Fausto, 25, of Shreveport, La., was sentenced Friday 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 September 14, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents searched Fausto’s residence on January 2, 2017 while executing a search warrant for another individual. During the search, they found a sheetrock panel leaning against a wall in the master bedroom closet. Behind the panel, agents could see the end of a shotgun and discovered it was a loaded sawed-off 12-gauge Mossberg pump shotgun. Fausto was previously convicted of a felony and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm.
The ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and Bossier City Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields prosecuted the case.
Shreveport felon pleads guilty to possessing three handguns on court house propertyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport man who was previously convicted last week of a felony pleaded guilty to possessing three handguns he tried to hide near the U.S. court house.
Deantre D. Caldwell, 30, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the 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 Federal Building and 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 drivers 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.
Caldwell faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of April 27, 2018.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields is prosecuting the case.
Maurice man pleads guilty to shipping drugs from Arizona to LouisianaRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a man from Maurice pleaded guilty last week to shipping methamphetamine to Louisiana.
Eric Perrin, 36, of Maurice, La., pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Whitehurst to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, Perrin previously lived in Arizona where he met other individuals who used the drug. He later used his Arizona connections to have methamphetamine packaged and delivered to him in Louisiana. Perrin scheduled a packaged delivery of drugs to his home on August 12, 2013. Law enforcement agents intercepted the package, made a controlled delivery and arrested Perrin. Law enforcement agents found approximately 260 grams of methamphetamine in the package.
Perrin faces five to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a $5 million fine. The court set sentencing for April 6, 2018.
The Homeland Security Investigations, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and Lafayette Metro Narcotics conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore is prosecuting the case.
Monroe woman gets more than six years in prison for submitting fake titles on stolen vehiclesRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that two Monroe women were sentenced Monday for a scheme to issue new titles for stolen automobiles.
Ashley Owens, 31, of Monroe, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to 76 months in prison on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and three years’ supervised release. Felicia Simpson, 40, of Monroe, La., was sentenced to five years’ probation on one count of misprision of felony, and Quinetta Grant, 45, of Suwanee, Ga., will be sentenced at a later date. According to the guilty pleas, from November 2014 to June 2015, the defendants illegally provided new titles to customers who possessed stolen automobiles. Owens would receive the titles from Grant and then deliver them to Simpson who worked for a private title processing business in Monroe. Altogether, 104 fraudulent titles were processed involving high-end late model luxury vehicles including Mercedes, BMW, Bentley and Lamborghini.
The FBI, Louisiana State Police, Miami Dade Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia and the Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.
Texas man sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug traffickingRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Texas man was sentenced last week to 240 months in prison for conspiring to transport methamphetamine and cocaine.
Erasmo Aviles Jr., 35, of Spring, Texas, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release.
Evidence was admitted at a three-day trial in August of 2017, that on May 12, 2016, Aviles was traveling east on Interstate 20 in Bossier Parish in one car that was traveling in tandem with another vehicle driven by co-defendant Francisco Guardiola, 25, of Spring, Texas. Louisiana State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicles. Aviles denied any wrongdoing and a search of his vehicle produced a camouflaged two-way radio set to channel two. The vehicle Guardiola was driving was searched. Troopers found 1,048 grams of methamphetamine and 361.8 grams of powder cocaine. They also found a camouflaged two-way radio of the same type found in Aviles’ vehicle that was also set to channel two.
Guardiola pleaded guilty on March 15, 2017, to all three counts and was sentenced on September 5, 2017 to 121 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
The DEA and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison D. Bushnell and Tennille M. Gilreath prosecuted the case.
Mexican citizen pleads guilty to illegally possessing a rifleRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a man from Mexico pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a rifle.
Gerardo C. Rodriguez, 53, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, Union Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbing-the-peace call on December 11, 2016 in Bernice, La. The deputies found Rodriguez intoxicated, arrested him and towed his vehicle. Deputies noticed a gunshot wound in his leg. Rodriguez told deputies in an interview the next day that he had shot himself with a .22 caliber pistol while drinking heavily. He also told deputies that he owned the Savage rifle (Model 110E in .270 caliber), which was seized from his vehicle. He admitted to reentering the United States illegally and possessing the rifle as a convicted felon. Rodriguez was removed to Mexico on December 21, 2004 as an aggravated felon.
Rodriguez faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for April 11, 2017.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara is prosecuting the case.
Bastrop man sentenced to 9 years in prison for defrauding USDA over fake farm benefit schemeRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Bastrop farmer was sentenced to 108 months in prison for creating shell farms so he could receive more than $5.4 million in subsidy payments to which he was not entitled.
Brad A. McIntyre, 35, of Bastrop, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, five counts of mail fraud and four counts of money laundering related to engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $4.3 million in restitution to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency. The court also ordered him to pay a $1.6 million money judgement of forfeiture. McIntyre was previously found guilty by a federal jury at a trial, which started July 10 and ended July 21, 2017.
Evidence admitted at trial revealed that McIntyre, a fourth generation farmer and the owner of Delta Agriculture and Company, sought to avoid the Farm Service Agency direct program payment limitation of $40,000 per year per farm entity member. From August 2009 until February 2013, McIntyre conspired to create fictitious farm operations. When applying for FSA’s direct program payments, McIntyre listed the names of his relatives and employees as the owners of these entities when in fact he controlled and managed all of these farming entities. The Farm Service Agency’s Supplemental Revenue Assistant (SURE) and Crop Assistance Program (CAP) payments were each limited to $100,000 per person who experienced a qualifying crop loss because of disaster. These fake farms also fraudulently received disaster program payments from FSA.
When the FSA mailed agricultural subsidy checks to the entities, they went to U.S. Post Office boxes in Mer Rouge, La., established and controlled by McIntyre. He unlawfully received more than $5.4 million during the course of the scheme.
“I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s office, OIG special agents and our investigative partners for their hard work on this investigation,” USDA Office of Inspector General Special Agent-in-Charge Dax Roberson stated. “When the integrity of USDA’s farming programs is violated by criminal conduct, the Office of Inspector General will pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Brad McIntyre was sentenced today for his scheme to defraud the U.S. farm subsidy program and for his associated money laundering violations,” Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Ted A. Magee, IRS Criminal Investigation, stated. “He was held accountable for his fraud and the spending of his ill-gotten gains. IRS - Criminal Investigation special agents are experts in following the money, which ultimately demonstrates that monetary gain is often the reason for criminal activity. I am especially proud of the work we do with our federal law enforcement partners and of our financial expertise that is utilized to make sense of complex schemes such as this one and helps put criminals like McIntyre in prison where they belong.”
The USDA-OIG and IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields prosecuted the case.
Shreveport felon pleads guilty to possessing a handgunRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Shreveport man who was previously convicted of two felonies pleaded guilty to possessing a loaded revolver.
Kevin Anthony Dison Jr., 21, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the 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. The revolver could be seen by anyone driving the vehicle. Dison was previously convicted of felony theft in April 2015 in Caddo Parish and simple burglary in April 2016 in Bossier Parish.
Dison faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of March 23, 2018.
This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to promote firearm safety and to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford is prosecuting the case.
Honduran national sentenced to 18 months for possession of firearm, ammunition by illegal alienRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Honduran citizen was sentenced last week to 18 months in prison for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
Franklin Reyes, 36, of Honduras, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by an alien illegally present in the United States. According to the September 1, 2017 guilty plea, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s officers responded to a report of shots fired on January 7, 2017 at a Lafayette apartment complex. After arriving, they heard a gunshot come from one of the apartments. Reyes opened the door of an apartment holding a .38 special revolver, which officers knocked from his hand as they arrested him. Officers found bullet holes in the walls and ceiling of the apartment and 11 expended ammunition casings scattered around the apartment. Reyes was previously removed in February of 2003, May of 2007, March of 2012, January of 2013 and December of 2013.
The ATF, Homeland Security Investigations and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.
Federal grand jury indicts Fort Polk soldier for illegally manufacturing, using a chemical weaponRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a Fort Polk soldier with 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, La., was charged with producing, possessing and using a chemical weapon in violation of federal law. According to the indictment, 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 if convicted.
The FBI and U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis E. Robinson 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.
Former Homer police officer sentenced to 10 months in prison for conspiring to commit mail fraudRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a former Homer Police officer was sentenced to 10 months in prison for his role in a vehicle fraud theft and insurance scheme.
Donald W. Malray, 52, of Homer, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of mail fraud conspiracy. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $13,610.50 restitution and a $3,500 fine. According to the August 30, 2017 guilty plea, Malray and another individual planned a scheme to fake a vehicle and trailer theft, and then file an insurance claim to collect the money on the value of the property. On August 4, 2015, Malray and the other individual transferred the ATV and trailer to Malray’s possession after they met in Ruston, La. Malray then instructed the other individual to call the Homer Police Department and report the ATV and trailer stolen. The insurance company paid the individual in the conspiracy with Malray approximately $13,000 on September 8, 2015. Law enforcement agents recovered the ATV and trailer on January 31, 2017 in Ruston, La.
The DEA and the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.