Western District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Explo co-owner pleads guilty to conspiracy, false statement chargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that the co-owner of Explo Systems Inc. pleaded guilty to conspiracy and false statements concerning the storage of munitions at Camp Minden that led to an explosion.
Explo co-owner David Alan Smith, 62, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Horsnby to one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of making a false statement. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote.
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, the U.S. Army awarded Explo a contract on March 24, 2010 to dispose of 450,000 155 mm 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 charges for $8,617,500. The contract required Explo to properly store and dispose of the demilitarized M6. The contract also required Explo to document the sale of the demilitarized M6 by completing an End User Certificate (EUC). On the EUC, the purchaser of the demilitarized M6 certified the purchase and compliance with applicable federal laws. Once the EUCs were certified, Explo submitted the EUCs to the Army.
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. 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.
As part of the guilty plea, Smith agreed that he conspired with others to defraud the United States by impeding federal, state and local authorities from properly monitoring the operations at Explo’s Camp Minden facility. Smith also agreed that he conspired with others to submit false end use certificates in order to obtain money to which he was not entitled.
Smith faces five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each count. As part of the plea agreement, Smith agreed that he owes restitution in the amount of $35,398,761.
The Environmental Protection Agency-Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation, Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, FBI and the Louisiana State Police-Emergency Service Unit investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell is prosecuting the case.
Shreveport man pleads guilty to firearms chargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Shreveport felon pleaded guilty to possessing a revolver.
Christopher Deshun Owens, 28, 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 when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, Shreveport 911 operators received a call on August 10, 2017 from Owens’ ex-girlfriend. They heard the ex-girlfriend and Owens arguing about a firearm. Owens had entered the ex-girlfriend’s home with a firearm. Police later arrived and detained Owens. A Charter 2000, Shelton, Conn., Model: Undercover, Caliber .38 SPL revolver was recovered from a child’s dresser drawer in the house. Owens initially denied carrying the gun but later admitted to it. Owens was previously convicted in Bossier Parish for possession of marijuana, second offense.
Owens 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 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 Brandon B. Brown is prosecuting the case.
Bossier City car dealer pleads guilty to stealing $177,000 from credit unionRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Benton man pleaded guilty Tuesday to taking out loans totaling $177,000 for three cars that didn’t exist.
Larry Wayne Toms Jr., 41, of Benton, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of bank fraud. According to the guilty plea, Toms, who is a car dealer in Bossier City, La., 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.
Toms faces up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $1 million fine. The court set a sentencing date of March 23, 2018.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.
Houston man sentenced to 60 months in prison for distributing cocaineRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Houston man was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine after the drug was found in his car.
Isidro Badillo, 22, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the July 11, 2017 guilty plea, Lake Charles police officers stopped Badillo’s vehicle August 8, 2016 on Interstate 10. Police officers searched the vehicle and found 9.282 kilograms of powder cocaine in the trunk. Badillo knew of the cocaine and said he was driving to an unspecified location outside of New Orleans for delivery and later distribution.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Lake Charles Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.
California man sentenced to 144 months in prison for conspiring to transport methamphetamineRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a man from California was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison for conspiring to transport methamphetamine.
Maquel L. Shelby, 37, of Hawthorne, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the August 30, 2017 guilty plea, a Louisiana State trooper conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Durango Shelby was driving January 31, 2017 on Interstate 20 in Bossier Parish. Codefendant Bryanna Warren, 27, also of California, was riding in the car along with two children, ages 5 and 2. After being questioned, Shelby admitted there was a pistol in the vehicle’s glove compartment. As the trooper walked over to the vehicle to speak to Warren who was seated in the front passenger seat, she pulled out a loaded S&W .40 caliber pistol from a diaper bag and handed it to the trooper. She admitted to trying to hide the firearm after taking it from the glove compartment. The vehicle was also searched, and troopers found 2 pounds of methamphetamine in a backpack. After the arrest, Shelby admitted he had picked up the methamphetamine from Shreveport and was instructed to bring it to Monroe, La.
Warren pleaded guilty on May 25, 2017 to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and was sentenced on October 19, 2017 to five years in prison and three years of supervised release.
The DEA and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.
Mexican citizen sentenced to 33 months in prison for illegally reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Mexican citizen was sentenced last week to 33 months in prison for reentering the United States illegally after being previously removed.
Marco Grijalva-Lopez, 34, of Mexico, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. According to the August 9, 2017 guilty plea, Bossier City police arrested the defendant for shoplifting on April 14, 2017. After further investigation, law enforcement agents discovered that Grijalva-Lopez had two prior convictions for assault of a family member in Harris County, Texas. He was removed on May 30, 2015 and banned for life from entering the United States.
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Bossier City Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.
Mexican citizen pleads guilty to illegally reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a man from Mexico pleaded guilty to reentering the United States after being deported.
Tomas Tavera-Morales, 31, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Whitehurst 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, the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office contacted Homeland Security Investigations on August 21, 2017 for assistance surveilling a possible illegal alien. Law enforcement agents later observed Tavera-Morales walking behind a residence near Third and Eastern avenues in Crowley. Agents contacted him, and he identified himself using a different name. After his arrest, he admitted that he lied about his name, and that he had been previously deported.
Tavera-Morales faces up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for March 18, 2018.
Homeland Security Investigations and Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.
Shreveport man sentenced to 46 months in prison for stealing 44 firearmsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced last week to 46 months in prison for stealing 44 firearms from a Princeton gun shop.
Ryan P. Hiroms, 26, of Shreveport, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of theft of a firearm from a federal firearms licensee. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $27,723.61 restitution. According to the August 7, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents responded to a call on November 30, 2016 of a burglary at a gun shop in Princeton, La. Someone had broken into the building and stolen 44 firearms. Employees reported that two men had entered the business the day before and were looking at the firearms that were later stolen, and employees said the two men were also acting suspicious. A customer identified Hiroms as one of the two men who had entered the business. Agents also used video footage and fingerprints from one of the handguns Hiroms examined that day to identify him. Agents arrested Hiroms on December 2, 2016. They found a firearm in his vehicle that matched one that was stolen, and he was wearing attire similar to that seen in the business’s video footage. He later admitted to breaking into the gun shop and stealing the firearms.
The ATF needs help locating the remaining firearms stolen as well as other suspects in the case. If you have any information, call the ATF’s Shreveport Field Office at (318) 424-6850.
The ATF and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
Ruston man sentenced to 24 months in prison for posting sexually explicit images onlineRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Ruston man was sentenced Thursday to 24 months in prison for cyberstalking a woman and posting nude pictures of her on various websites.
Wesley Ballew, 39, of Ruston, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of cyberstalking. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $7,500 restitution. According to the July 19, 2017 guilty plea, Ballew ended a relationship with a woman in 2009. He later posted nude pictures and identifying information of the woman to websites and social media sites. Ballew posted the pictures multiple times over the course of several years with the intent to harass and cause emotional distress. He also caused financial stress as the woman spent more than $7,500 in an attempt to remove the postings from online sites.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
Minden man pleads guilty to possessing a revolver after being convicted of a felonyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a man from Minden pleaded guilty to possessing a revolver.
Jeremy Moro, 40, of Minden, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the guilty plea, the Minden Police Department arrested Moro while investigating a domestic abuse issue on September 8, 2016. After responding to the complaint, police found Moro laying on his couch with a Taurus Model: The Judge 45 caliber five shot revolver in the waistband of his pants. He was previously convicted of a felony for his role in a cross-burning in October 2008 in Louisiana.
Moro faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, forfeiture of the seized firearm and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of March 1, 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, FBI, Webster Parish Coroner’s Office and Minden Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick is prosecuting the case.
Mexican national sentenced to 46 months in prison for reentering the U.S. illegally a sixth timeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Mexican citizen was sentenced to 46 months in prison for reentering the United States illegally.
Jose Luis Gamez-Verdugo, 49, of Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. According to the August 8, 2017 guilty plea, Gamez-Verdugo was found on April 9, 2017 in Vermilion Parish. After further investigation, it was determined that he had been removed from the United States on five previous occasions. The most recent removal was on June 16, 2011 in Brownsville, Texas.
United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips prosecuted the case.
Mexican national sentenced to 15 months in prison for reentering the U.S. illegally for fourth timeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Mexican citizen was sentenced to 15 months in prison for reentering the United States illegally for a fourth time.
David Acuna-Ontiveros, 31, of Nogolas, Sorora, Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. According to the July 28, 2017 guilty plea, Louisiana State Police arrested Acuna-Ontiveros on April 24, 2017 at the Morgan City Department of Motor Vehicles. The defendant was attempting to obtain a driver’s license using a stolen identity. Acuna-Ovtiveros was found with another person’s driver’s license, birth certificate and Social Security card. He admitted after the arrest that he was in the United States illegally and had paid money for the stolen identity. After further investigation, law enforcement agents found that the defendant had been removed in February of 2005 and March of 2006. He was also arrested in December of 2012 and removed in September of 2013 after serving time for a felony.
United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.
Mexican national sentenced to 11 months in prison for illegally reentering the U.S. multiple timesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Mexican citizen was sentenced to 11 months in prison for reentering the United States illegally after being removed at least three times.
Juan Jose Mendoza-Ibarra, 38, of Mexico, was sentence by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. According to the September 1, 2017 guilty plea, the defendant was found to be in Lafayette in July of 2017 after an arrest. He had previously been removed from the United States at least three times on March 11, 2016, August 5, 2016 and February 10, 2017.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.
Federal jury convicts man for trafficking methamphetamine, firearms chargesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a federal jury found a Clayton man guilty of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and firearms charges.
Robert L. Snyder, 41, of Clayton, La., was found guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell presided over the trial. The defendant’s trial started Monday and ended Wednesday with the jury returning the guilty verdict after deliberating for about three hours. Evidence admitted at trial revealed that law enforcement agents learned that illegal drugs were being sold out of a Clayton residence. After a search of Snyder’s home, police found more than 100 grams of methamphetamine along with numerous firearms, $1,600 in cash and $10,000 in money orders. Law enforcement revisited the property on March 4, 2014 and found more firearms in the home. In total, law enforcement found 15 weapons and ammunition. Among the firearms was a .22 caliber rifle with the serial number removed.
Snyder faces 10 years to life in prison for the methamphetamine count, up to 10 years in prison for possession of an unregistered firearm, and up to 10 years in prison for each count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He also faces not less than five years of supervised release, a $10 million fine and forfeiture of items seized during the investigation. The court set sentencing for March 6, 2018.
The U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, ATF and the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tennille M. Gilreath and Mary J. Mudrick are prosecuting the case.
Krotz Springs man sentenced to 41 months in prison for possessing firearms, ammunition illegallyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Krotz Springs man was sentenced Tuesday to 41 months in prison for possessing firearms and ammunition after being convicted of a felony.
Paul Joseph Viola, 46, of Krotz Springs, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
Testimony and evidence at a three-day trial that ended on August 2, 2017 revealed that ATF agents received an anonymous call in October of 2015 reporting that Viola was a felon in possession of firearms. In an undercover operation conducted between October 31, 2015 and November 13, 2015, law enforcement agents obtained photographs of a Remington 1100 12 gauge shotgun, a .22 caliber Remington Speedmaster Model 552 semi-automatic rifle, and a .22 caliber Ruger model 10/22 semi-automatic rifle in Viola’s trailer in Krotz Springs. While the investigation was still ongoing, on November 28, 2015, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents found Viola hunting in the Sherburne Wildlife Management area in St. Martin Parish in possession of a loaded .35 caliber Whelen single shot rifle and five rounds of ammunition. On December 7, 2015, ATF agents searched Viola’s trailer in Krotz Springs where they found and seized 13,428 rounds of ammunition. During his arrest on January 21, 2016 in Krotz Springs, law enforcement agents found 10 .22 caliber rounds of ammunition in a magazine for a Ruger 10/22 rifle, one round of Hornady .444 Marlin ammunition, three rounds of .243 Winchester ammunition and two rounds of .308 Winchester ammunition.
The ATF and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.
Department of Justice awards Lafayette Police Department $1.2 millionRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that the Lafayette Police Department has been awarded $1,249,999 in grant funding through the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) COPS Hiring Program (CHP).
Sessions today announced $98,495,397 in grants to 179 law enforcement agencies throughout the country for the COPS Hiring Program, which allows those agencies to hire 802 additional full-time law enforcement officers.
“Cities and states that cooperate with federal law enforcement make all of us safer by helping remove dangerous criminals from our communities,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “Today, the Justice Department announced that 80 percent of this year’s COPS Hiring Program grantees have agreed to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in their detention facilities. I applaud their commitment to the rule of law and to ending violent crime, including violent crime stemming from illegal immigration. I continue to encourage every jurisdiction in America to collaborate with federal law enforcement and help us make this country safer.”
“I want to be the first to congratulate the Lafayette Police Department on being awarded this grant,” Van Hook stated. “This will allow the department to add new officers to their ranks, which will only enhance the great work that they perform on a daily basis.”
CHP provides grant funding directly to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to support hiring additional law enforcement officers for three years to address specific crime problems through community policing strategies.
In September, the Justice Department announced additional priority consideration criteria for FY2017 COPS grants. Applicants were notified that their application would receive additional points in the application scoring process by certifying their willingness to cooperate with federal immigration authorities within their detention facilities. Cooperation may include providing access to detention facilities for an interview of aliens in the jurisdiction’s custody and providing advance notice of an alien’s release from custody upon request. One hundred and forty three of the 179 (80 percent) awarded agencies received additional points based on their certifications of willingness to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
The complete list of award recipients can be found here.
The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing officers, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders and all levels of law enforcement. Since 1994, the COPS has invested more than $14 billion to help advance community policing.
Shreveport mental health facility administrator sentenced to 26 months in prison for kickback schemeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport mental health facility administrator was sentenced Tuesday to 26 months in prison for taking part in a kickback scheme.
Tom McCardell, 64, of Lafayette, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on 14 counts of paying illegal kickbacks. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $20,000 fine. McCardell was found guilty after a four-day trial that ended February 9, 2017.
According to the evidence presented at trial, McCardell operated a kickback scheme from July 2011 to November 2012 while he was administrator of Physicians Behavior Hospital (PBH) in Shreveport. He paid kickbacks to an Alabama resident, who had no medical training or background, to recruit and refer patients to PBH for psychiatric and substance abuse treatment. The hospital would then purchase bus tickets for the patients to travel to PBH in Shreveport. Many of the patients traveled unattended without escort. To avoid detection and suspicion, the defendant arranged for the kickbacks to be issued in the name of the patient recruiter’s son. The defendant also ordered PBH personnel to create an employee file in the name of the recruiter’s son in order to provide cover for the illegal kickback arrangement. During the scheme, McCardell caused the hospital to pay the recruiter’s son checks totaling $41,000 to which he was not entitled. As a result of the illegal kickback scheme, the hospital billed more than $6.7 million dollars to Medicare and was paid more than $1.2 million dollars.
The Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl M. Campbell and Tennille M. Gilreath prosecuted the case.
Many resident sentenced to more than 9 years in prison for illegally possessing, selling a shotgunRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a man from Many was sentenced last week to 110 months in prison for possessing a shotgun that he also sold.
Frank Manning Jr., 37, of Many, La., was sentenced Thursday 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 August 1, 2017 guilty plea, Manning sold a Crescent Arms 20 gauge shotgun on May 25, 2016 for cash at a Many residence. Manning has prior felony convictions for drugs and domestic abuse battery in Desoto and Sabine parishes.
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 the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.
Leesville resident sentenced to 40 months in prison for counterfeiting $100 billsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Leesville man was sentenced last week to 40 months in prison for taking part in counterfeiting $100 bills in order to purchase prepaid cards.
Deldrick Shykil Fowler, 25, of Leesville, La., previously of DeQuincy, La., was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of counterfeiting obligations to the United States. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the August 10, 2017 guilty plea, Fowler helped another unnamed conspirator on December 27, 2016 use a genuine $100 bill to make 58 counterfeit copies. The conspirator then passed $1,500 worth of counterfeit bills at a DeRidder, La., department store in exchange for three prepaid debit cards. The conspirator discarded the unused counterfeit bills in a trashcan at a park. The counterfeit bills were later found and provided to law enforcement officers. The officers located Fowler the next day and discovered him with two of the three prepaid cards. He had already spent the third card.
The U.S. Secret Service, Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and the DeRidder Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
Church Point woman pleads guilty to drug, firearm chargesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Church Point woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to methamphetamine and cocaine distribution in Acadia and Lafayette parishes and firearm possession.
Courtney Lynn Daigle, 41, of Church Point, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine and 5 kilograms of cocaine, and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents identified Daigle as a supplier of methamphetamine while investigating drug distribution in Acadia and Lafayette parishes. Law enforcement executed a federal search warrant on February 3, 2017 at her residence in Church Point and a state search warrant at a related residence in Rayne, La. As a result, law enforcement recovered, a Smith and Wesson SD9VE 9 mm handgun, 60 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and approximately 679.1 grams of methamphetamine, 873.1 grams of cocaine, 12.9 grams of cocaine base, 589. 4 grams of marijuana, 82 dosage units of LSD, 116 dosage units of alprazolam, 1.5 dosage units of hydrocodone, one 10 milliliter vial of testosterone cypionate, and one 10 milliliter vial of testosterone enanthate. Officers also recovered $5,000, digital scales, vacuum bags/sealer and narcotics packaging.
Daigle faces 10 years to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a $10 million fine for the controlled substances count. She also faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for the firearms count. The court set sentencing for February 16, 2018.
The DEA, ATF, Louisiana State Police, Lafayette Metro Narcotics Task Force, Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office and Eunice Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy is prosecuting the case.
Texas man sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for meth distribution in Shreveport/Bossier areaRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that the last defendant remaining in a Shreveport/Bossier City area methamphetamine distribution case was sentenced Monday to 188 months in prison.
Jose Mejia Jr., 33, of Tyler, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to documents filed in the case, Mejia and others conspired to distribute methamphetamine in the Shreveport/Bossier City area from March 1, 2016 to December 1, 2016. Mejia was the source of supply from Texas. Meija would provide drugs and took part in directing their sale.
Other defendants prosecuted and sentenced include:
Joshua Caleb Tanner, 38, of Shreveport, sentenced on October 25, 2017 to 70 months in prison and five years of supervised release for one count of conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Dusty Eugene Loughridge, 35, of Monroe, sentenced on October 25, 2017 to 235 months in prison and five years of supervised release for one count of conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Cody James Bradberry, 33, of Shreveport, sentenced on October 11, 2017 to 124 months in prison and five years of supervised release for one count of conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Jimmy E. Sollers, 29, of Shreveport, sentenced on October 5, 2017 to 70 months in prison for one count of conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine and 60 months in prison for possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, to run consecutively. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Jonathan S. Hall, 33, of Bossier City, sentenced on October 5, 2017 to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release for one count of conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The DEA and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
Man from El Salvador sentenced to 12 months in prison for reentering the United States multiple timesRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a man from El Salvador was sentenced to 12 months in prison last week for reentering the country after being deported.
Nelson Antonio Orellana, 30, of San Miguel, El Salvador, was sentenced on October 30, 2017 by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of illegal reentry following deportation. According to the July 13, 2017 guilty plea, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents stopped a vehicle February 21, 2017 traveling east on Interstate 10. Agents found eight undocumented illegal aliens and one driver who had lawful status in the United States. Agents discovered Orellana among the group. They also discovered the defendant had illegally reentered the United States multiples times. Orellana was found to have been deported multiple times with the most recent deportation being March 4, 2016 from Alexandria, La. He reentered the country illegally on February 14, 2017 near Laredo, Texas.
United States Customs and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
Kaplan man pleads guilty to possessing firearms, ammunition after felony convictionsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a man from Kaplan pleaded guilty last week to possessing firearms and ammunition.
Micah J. Guillot, 33, of Kaplan, La., pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, a Lafayette police officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven erratically on South Bertrand Drive on March 28, 2015. Guillot exited the vehicle wearing a ballistics vest. The officer later found ammunition in the vest. The officer also searched Guillot’s vehicle and found a .10 gauge shotgun, a .380 caliber handgun, .380 caliber ammunition, .22 caliber ammunition and .10 gauge shotgun ammunition. Guillot pleaded guilty September 18, 2014 to felony possession of controlled substances and September 20, 2012 to felony unauthorized use of an access card.
Guillot faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court did not set a sentencing date.
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 Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth is prosecuting the case.
Federal jury convicts Lake Charles veterinarian, pharmacy in race horse doping conspiracyRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a federal jury found a Lake Charles veterinarian and a Nebraska pharmacy guilty of conspiring to sell an unapproved opioid drug 40 times more powerful than morphine for the purpose of improving the performance of race horses.
Kyle James Hebert, 42, of Lake Charles, La., and Kohll’s Pharmacy & Healthcare Inc. of Omaha, Neb., were found guilty of one count of conspiracy. Hebert was also found guilty of two counts of receipt of adulterated or misbranded drug with the intent to defraud and mislead; and one count of misbranding a drug while held for sale with the intent to defraud and mislead. Kohll’s Pharmacy was also found guilty of two counts of introduction of adulterated or misbranded drug in interstate commerce with intent to defraud and mislead. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial. The defendants’ trial started October 30 and ended on Monday, November 7, 2017 with the jury returning the guilty verdict after deliberating for three and a half hours.
Evidence admitted at trial revealed that from November 11, 2010 to December 2012 Hebert, Kohll’s Pharmacy & Healthcare Inc. of Omaha, Neb., which operated as Essential Pharmacy Compounding, and others conspired to distribute a synthetic form of the drug Dermorphin, which was then given to racehorses to improve their racing performance. Essential Pharmacy Compounding repackaged a synthetic form of the drug that it obtained from a California chemical company, labeled it as D-Peptide, and sold it to Hebert and other veterinarians. Hebert then put the drug into syringes and gave the loaded syringes to the racetrack trainers tasked with the horses’ care. Evidence at trial revealed that Demorphin is a strong painkiller that masks horses’ pain and any pre-existing injuries. Depending on dosage, it can also act as a stimulant when injected in horses. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved the drug for use in humans or animals.
“This office is committed to vigorous prosecution of unlawful practices by pharmacies and/or distributors of harmful drugs that put humans or animals at risk,” Van Hook stated. “We are pleased with this verdict.”
“FDA is responsible for protecting not only human consumers, but also animals, including race horses, from unscrupulous distributors of illegal drugs,” said Justin D. Green, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Miami Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who attempt to evade the law.”
Hebert faces five years in prison for the conspiracy count and three years in prison for each of the other counts. Kohll’s Pharmacy faces a substantial fine and other penalties based on its felony conviction. The court will set a sentencing date in the future.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph T. Mickel and David C. Joseph are prosecuting the case.
Shreveport resident to serve 24 months in prison for driving while intoxicated for the fifth timeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison with eight years suspended for driving while intoxicated on Barksdale Air Force Base.
Jesus J. Maldonado, 30, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of driving while intoxicated, fifth offense. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. According to the July 25, 2017 guilty plea, a Barksdale security officer pulled over Maldonado’s vehicle on April 13, 2017 after it was seen driving erratically and showing signs of being in a wreck. He was found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol. He was also found to have been convicted on four previous occasions of driving while under the influence on October 20, 2007 in Bossier City, La.; on June 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, Calif.; on March 8, 2013 in Shreveport; and on May 16, 2013 in Shreveport.
The FBI and U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John Odom prosecuted the case.
Sabine Parish resident sentenced to 3 years in prison for not updating sex offender statusRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Florien man was sentenced Wednesday to 36 months in prison for not complying with sex offender registration requirements after he did not inform authorities he had moved back to Louisiana.
Christopher Shane Lewing, 37, of Florien, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of failure to register as a sex offender. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the July 10, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents arrested Lewing on January 25, 2017 in Sabine Parish on a warrant from Tennessee for a probation violation. He was living in Tennessee but had moved back to Louisiana in July of 2016 without informing law enforcement. Lewing told U.S. Marshals he knew he was required to update his sex offender registry but had not.
The U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.
Mississippi man sentenced to 48 months in prison for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Mississippi man was sentenced Monday to 48 months in prison for possessing child pornography on a computer at a Lake Charles RV park.
Jesse Easterling, 41, of Hattisburg, Miss., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possession of child pornography. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to the May 2, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents identified the defendant as having child pornography in April of 2016 while he was staying at an RV park in Lake Charles. Law enforcement agents searched his property and found 72 videos of child pornography on his computer. Some of the videos were sexually explicit images of children under the age of 12. He also admitted during an interview that he had downloaded child pornography over the internet.
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. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.
Broussard man sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for receiving child pornographyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Broussard man was sentenced Monday to 150 months in prison for receiving child pornography using his computer.
Frederic Woodruff French, 70, of Broussard, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of receiving child pornography. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to the June 28, 2017 guilty plea, French dropped off his laptop on August 14, 2014 to a computer repair technician to transfer data to a new computer. While transferring the data, the technician noticed images of child pornography on the computer. The technician called law enforcement agents who examined the laptop and found the images. They also found online chat logs where French discussed paying a woman in the Philippines to produce images of child pornography using her young prepubescent children. Based upon the on-line chats between French and the woman, French agreed to send money to the woman in return for her taking sexually explicit images of her children and sending them to French. He also discussed traveling to the Philippines to engage in sexual acts with the young children.
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.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.
Morgan City man pleads guilty to possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Morgan City man pleaded guilty Thursday to using the internet to download and possess child pornography.
Joshua Landry, 40, of Morgan City, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Whitehurst to one count of receiving child pornography. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents identified Landry as downloading child pornography to an electronic device in his home. Agents searched the home on February 8, 2017. The defendant’s cell phone was searched and three child pornography videos were found. He also admitted during an interview with agents that he downloaded child pornography.
Landry faces up to 10 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 February 16, 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.
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.
U.S. Attorney’s Office urges public to participate in Drug Take-Back driveRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, LAFAYETTE, MONROE, ALEXANDRIA, LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook urges the public to discard unused prescription drugs this weekend at area collection sites during Drug Take-Back Day.
On Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement agencies across the Western District of Louisiana will give the public its 14th opportunity in seven years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take-Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills.
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. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including 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, October 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., October 28, at:
Shreveport
- Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s Safety Town in the parking lot of Summer Grove Baptist Church, 8910 Jewella Ave.
Bossier City
- Louisiana State Police Troop G office, 5300 Industrial Drive
Monroe
- Louisiana State Police Troop F office, 1240 Highway 594
- Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy, 1801 North 18th St.
- Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy, 4070 Highway 165
- Super One, 2810 Louisville Ave.
Alexandria
- Louisiana State Police Troop E office, 1710 Odom St.
- Alexandria Police Department, 1000 Bolton Ave.
Lafayette
- Louisiana State Police Troop I office, 121 E. Pont Des Mouton Road
- Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, 1825 W. Willow Street
Broussard
- Broussard Police Department at Walgreen’s parking lot, 105 St. Nazaire St.
Lake Charles
- Lake Charles Police Department at 900 Lake Short Drive (Civic Center)
- Louisiana State Police Troop D office, 805 Main St.
Morgan City
- Walgreens, 815 Brashear Ave.
- Walmart Neighborhood Market parking lot, 1002 La.-70
- Walmart Super Center, 973 Highway 90-East
The public can also find other nearby collection sites by visiting the DEA Diversion website or call 800-882-9539.
Texas man pleads guilty to heroin distributionRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a man from Texas pleaded guilty Tuesday to drug distribution charges after heroin was found in his car battery.
Jose Alonzo Hernandez, 42, of Brownsville, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin. According to the guilty plea, a state trooper conducted a traffic stop on Hernandez’s car March 16, 2017 on Interstate 20 in Bossier Parish. The trooper conducted a search of the vehicle and found approximately 3.35 kilograms of heroin hidden inside the car’s battery.
Hernandez faces 10 years to life in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a $10 million fine. The court set a February 23, 2018 sentencing date.
The DEA and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields is prosecuting the case.
Former Desoto Parish District Attorney’s Office employee indicted for stealing feesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury indicted a Converse woman for seven counts of mail fraud.
Melanie Barber, 35, of Converse, La., was employed by the Desoto Parish District Attorney’s office from April 2002 until February 2014. From at least 2004 to 2014, she negotiated money orders made payable to and intended for the Desoto Parish District Attorney’s Office. The money orders were collected by worthless checks and diversion fees but negotiated by Barber at several local banks and retailers for her personal use.
Barber faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine per count. She also faces forfeiture.
The FBI and the Mansfield Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara 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.
Bossier City man pleads guilty to damaging Air Force property with vehicleRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Bossier City man pleaded guilty Wednesday to driving a vehicle onto Barksdale Air Force Base and damaging property.
Jeffery Jermaine Francis, 33, of Bossier City, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of willful damage to property of the United States. According to the guilty plea, Francis was driving a green 2003 GMC Yukon on August 20, 2017 and struck a bollard at the West Gate of Barksdale Air Force Base. When approached and asked to place the vehicle in park, Francis instead drove onto the base. Barksdale security forces had to deploy a vehicle entrapment barrier on Barksdale Boulevard, which disabled the vehicle. He then fled the scene on foot. Security forces later discovered that the vehicle belonged to Francis’s girlfriend, and that he was driving under suspension. The estimated cost of damage to the vehicle and Barksdale property was $17,600.
Francis faces up to 10 years in prison, three years to life of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine. The court set a February 1, 2018 sentencing date.
United States Air Force Police Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell is prosecuting the case.
Texas man sentenced to 10 years in prison for distributing methamphetamine in ShreveportRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Texas man was sentenced last week to 120 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine in the Shreveport area and possessing a firearm.
Daniel D. Garza, 26, of Laredo, Texas, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to 60 months in prison on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and to 60 months in prison on one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime to run consecutively. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the guilty pleas, law enforcement officers received information on November 16, 2016 that Garza was at a Shreveport hotel attempting to distribute methamphetamine. The next day, law enforcement officers saw Garza leaving the hotel in a red Ford Focus with codefendants Bart W. Rogers II, 33, and Rachel Fothergill, 35, both of Dallas, Texas. Law enforcement agents conducted a traffic stop and searched the vehicle. A blue backpack was found in the front passenger side floorboard that contained a large gallon-sized Ziploc-style baggie with three more clear baggies inside containing approximately 195 grams of methamphetamine. Additionally, a 9 mm SAR Arms semi-automatic handgun, model SAR B6P, was located in a gun holster in the backpack. The firearm was loaded and the backpack also contained an additional loaded clip. Additionally, agents found another baggie that contained approximately 79 grams of methamphetamine in the glove box and a scale.
Rogers was sentenced on September 21, 2017 to 96 months in prison and four years of supervised release for the conspiracy count. Fothergill was sentenced on October 13, 2017 to 12 months and one day in prison and three years of supervised release for the conspiracy count.
The DEA and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Cowles Jr. and Tiffany E. Fields prosecuted the case.
Texas man pleads guilty to using postal service fuel cards for private vehicleRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a former Lake Charles post office employee pleaded guilty last week to using U.S. Postal Service fuel cards for his personal vehicle.
Shawn Bell Jr., 21, of Port Arthur, Texas, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of use of an unauthorized access device. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, Bell started using U.S. Postal Service fuel cards for his private vehicle starting on November 29, 2016. Bell resigned as a route driver for the Drew Station Post Office in Lake Charles on January 12, 2017, after law enforcement agents interviewed him about U.S. mail from his route found discarded in a dumpster. Even after his resignation, he kept the fuel cards and used them through April 10, 2017 for a total loss to the U.S. Postal Service of $2,021.24.
Bell faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a January 18, 2018 sentencing date.
The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys T. Forrest Phillips and Robert C. Abendroth are prosecuting the case.
St. Martinville man pleads guilty to drug distribution, firearms possessionRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a St. Martinville man pleaded guilty Monday to drug distribution and firearm charges.
Clay Anthony Robertson, 31, of St. Martinville, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Whitehurst to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents searched Robertson’s former apartment in the River Ranch area of 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 later that the .40 caliber pistol was stolen, and that Robertson was previously convicted of a controlled substance felony on January 25, 2007.
Robertson faces up to 40 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $5 million fine for the controlled substance violation. He also faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for the firearms count. The court set sentencing for February 9, 2018.
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 is prosecuting the case.
Shreveport woman sentenced to 10 years in prison for distributing methamphetamineRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Shreveport woman was sentenced to 120 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine.
Guadalupe Ponte, 27, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. She was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the guilty pleas, DEA drug task force agents learned that Ponte was distributing methamphetamine in Shreveport. They recorded her on January 12, 2017 setting up sales and then observed her traveling to meet codefendant Rogelio Lopez, 47, of Longview, Texas. Agents arrested the defendants after they arrived at a hotel in separate vehicles. Agents found 82.9 grams of methamphetamine in Lopez’s car. While Ponte was being detained, agents saw a Ruger LC9S 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in her car, and they also saw an infant in the backseat. Agents found 326.6 grams of methamphetamine when they later searched Lopez’s Texas home. Lopez admitted to being Ponte’s supplier of methamphetamine. Ponte admitted to owning the firearm and selling methamphetamine for Lopez.
Lopez was sentenced on August 25, 2017 to 65 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy.
The DEA investigated this case with assistance from the Shreveport Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick prosecuted the case.
Lafayette man sentenced to more than 8 years in prison for possessing cocaine, firearmRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Lafayette man was sentenced Monday to 100 months in prison for cocaine and firearm possession.
Douglas Dugas, 34, of Lafayette, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the July 12, 2016 guilty plea, Lafayette police pursued a vehicle on May 12, 2015 after it fled during a traffic stop. The pursued vehicle drove by a business on Johnston Street, and the driver discarded a bag. Later, employees of the business found a bag in the parking lot containing crack cocaine, marijuana, a large sum of money, a .357 caliber pistol and a cell phone. The phone contained pictures and data indicating Dugas was the primary user. An examination of the crack cocaine confirmed it to be 25 net grams of cocaine base.
The FBI, ATF and Lafayette Metro Narcotics conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
Monroe woman pleads guilty to stealing mailRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a former Monroe post office employee pleaded guilty to stealing mail.
Tanasha Turner, 34, of Monroe, 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 be final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, the postmaster from a Monroe post office reported losses of mail from the Monroe Main Post Office and the Northside Station. Law enforcement agents conducted a surveillance operation April 12, 2017 at the Northside Station and tracked Turner taking a letter containing $45. Agents conducted a traffic stop of her vehicle and found Turner in possession of the letter. She admitted to taking the letter and numerous other first class letters beginning in December 2016.
Turner faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a February 18, 2018 sentencing date.
The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick is prosecuting the case.
Jennings man pleads guilty to posting nude photos online of female victimRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Jennings man pleaded guilty Wednesday to posting nude photos online and threatening to post more photos of a female victim.
Christopher Redeaux, 21, of Jennings, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to one count of interstate transmission of extortionate communication. According to the guilty plea, Redeaux obtained nude pictures of a woman with whom he had a relationship. After their relationship ended, he threatened to publish the pictures on the internet if the woman did not provide more. After obtaining additional pictures, Redeaux posted some of the photos to Facebook using a fictitious account. He sent a friend request to the victim and her friends. The victim later encountered Redeaux at school, and he invited her to his dorm room where she rejected his sexual advances. Days later, Redeaux began to harass her through an online account and telephone calls. During their last conversation, he ended it by saying “Yup sending your pics.” The victim filed a complaint with McNeese State University Police on December 2, 2015. 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.
Redeaux faces up to two years prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a December 6, 2017 sentencing date.
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 are prosecuting the case.
Beaumont man pleads guilty to kidnapping girls after theft in SulphurRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Beaumont man pleaded guilty Wednesday to kidnapping two girls after stealing the truck in which they were seated.
Henry Dwight Moore, 23, of Beaumont, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to one count of kidnapping. According to the 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 the bystander pleaded to be let out of the back of the truck, and Moore stopped to allow him to leave. 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 he didn’t. He abandoned the car and the girls on the side of the road after reaching Orange, Texas. One of the girls located her father’s cell phone and was able to reach help.
Moore faces up to life in prison, not more than five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a December 6, 2017 sentencing date.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog is prosecuting the case.
West Monroe man pleads guilty to illegally possessing four firearmsRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a man from West Monroe pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally possessing four firearms and ammunition.
Calvin E. Braswell Jr., 58, of West Monroe, La., 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. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement officers searched Braswell’s residence on February 22, 2017 after receiving a tip of drug activity there. During the search, officers found a High Standard, Model C, .22 caliber pistol; a Smith & Wesson Model CTF, .38 caliber revolver; a Heritage, Rough Rider, .22 caliber revolver; a Ruger, Target 22/45, .22 caliber pistol; and related ammunition. It is illegal for Braswell to possess firearms after being convicted of felonies on January 6, 2000 and July 17, 2008.
Braswell faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, forfeiture of the weapons and a $250,000 fine. The court set a February 14, 2018 sentencing date.
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, the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick is prosecuting the case.
Texas man pleads guilty to illegally receiving more than $100,000 in disability payRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Texas man pleaded guilty Wednesday to not reporting more than $100,000 of income he received while on disability.
Jon Halbrook, 59, of Hemphill, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of theft of government property. According to the guilty plea, Halbrook began receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits in 2003, but it was later learned that Halbrook had been working from June 2012 to June 2016 at a Many, La., company. Halbrook did not report to the SSA as required by law that he was working during that time period and illegally received $101,616 in disability payments to which he was not entitled.
Halbrook faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of February 22, 2018.
The Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath is prosecuting the case.
Scott woman pleads guilty to tax preparation scheme that led to more than $105,000 in IRS lossesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Scott tax preparer pleaded guilty Tuesday to putting false information on clients’ tax forms that caused the IRS to pay out more than $105,000.
Vida Prejean Thomas, 44, of Scott, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Whitehurst to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false documents under Internal Revenue laws. The plea will be final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the 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 their 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.
Thomas faces up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine. The court set a January 2, 2018 sentencing date.
The IRS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph is prosecuting the case.
Man from Nicaragua pleads guilty to illegally returning to the United StatesRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Nicaraguan man pleaded guilty Wednesday to reentering the United States illegally after having been previously removed.
Manuel Vargas-Perez, 46, of Nicaragua, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of reentry by an alien without permission after removal. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement officers conducted a roadside stop on the vehicle Vargas-Perez was driving on July 3, 2017 in Calcasieu Parish. He had no identification and told officers he was from Nicaragua. It was later discovered that he had been deported before and had not obtained permission to return to the United States.
Vargas-Perez faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
United States Customs and Border Protection and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Man from Mexico pleads guilty to illegally returning to the United States for third timeRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Mexican national pleaded guilty Wednesday to reentering the United States illegally after having been previously removed twice.
Lucas Rosales-Arcos, 32, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of reentry by an alien without permission after removal. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter. According to the guilty plea, Jennings police arrested Rosales-Arcos on May 27, 2017 for domestic battery. Border Patrol agents interviewed the defendant who admitted to being in the United States illegally. He was removed in September of 2013 and April of 2014, and had not obtained permission to return.
Rosales-Arcos faces up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for February 20, 2018.
United States Customs and Border Protection and the Jennings Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore is prosecuting the case.
Man from Mexico pleads guilty to illegally returning to the United States for fifth timeRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Mexican national pleaded guilty Wednesday to reentering the United States illegally after having been previously removed four times.
Marco Antonio Reyes-Escutia, 42, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of reentry by an alien without permission after removal. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, Sulphur police arrested Reyes-Escutia on July 10, 2017 for stealing from a local retail store. Border Patrol agents interviewed the defendant who admitted to being in the United States illegally. He was arrested and removed once in 2010, twice in 2012 and once in 2013.
Reyes-Escutia faces up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for January 12, 2018.
United States Border Patrol and the Sulphur Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.
Logansport man sentenced to 35 years in prison for selling methamphetamine, kidnapping conspiracyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Logansport man was sentenced Wednesday to 420 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine in Many, La., and kidnapping a victim in east Texas.
Christopher L. Douglas, 36, of Logansport, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release. According to the April 6, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents recorded Douglas selling 2 ounces of methamphetamine on April 26, 2016 for $2,000 in Many. In addition, he previously pleaded guilty to the kidnapping conspiracy charge from the Eastern District of Texas, in which he participated with others to kidnap the victim, demand ransom, and ultimately attempted to kill the victim, all arising out of related drug trafficking.
The FBI, ATF-Tyler Texas, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Carthage Police Department and Longview Police Department conducted the investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case for the Western District of Louisiana, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hable prosecuted the case for the Eastern District of Texas.
Lake Providence woman sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing more than $52,000 in HUD fundsRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Lake Providence woman was sentenced last week to 18 months in prison for stealing more than $52,000 from a housing development by falsifying receipts for work that was never performed.
Stephanie R. Threats, 46, of Lake Providence, La., was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of conspiracy to commit federal program theft. She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the June 1, 2017 guilty plea, Threats worked for an Oak Grove, La., elderly housing apartment company, which received funds from the Office of Housing and Urban Development through Section 202 of the Federal Housing Program. From July 2009 until July 2012, Threats stole $52,241.69 from the program by creating false invoices for work performed for the benefit of the apartments and the HUD program recipients, when in reality no work had been performed.
The Office of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
West Monroe man sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for receiving child pornographyRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a West Monroe man was sentenced Wednesday to 151 months in prison for receiving child pornography.
John D. Owen, 30, of West Monroe, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of receiving child pornography. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and is required to register as a sex offender. According to the June 1, 2017 guilty plea, law enforcement agents identified the defendant as possessing child pornography. Agents conducted a search of his residence on September 22, 2016 and found five videos of child pornography on his cell phone and 38 images of child pornography on a computer.
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 Monroe FBI office number is (318) 387-0773.
The FBI, Swiss Cybercrime Coordination Unit and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath prosecuted the case.