Western District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Threat Made to Police about Possible Mass Shooting Leads to Federal Prison Sentence for Local ManRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Kenneth Allen Moody, 33, originally of Hot Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced yesterday for making threats, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Moody was sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 18 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment on August 24, 2022, charging Moody with one count of interstate communication of a threat as the result of a threatening phone call he made in July 2022 to the Vidalia Police Department (“VPD”). In the phone call, Moody, who was living in Vidalia, Louisiana, at the time of the incident, stated that he wanted to turn himself in because of what he was going to do. When asked what he was planning, Moody told the VPD dispatcher that he was going to possibly perform a mass shooting at the Natchez High School in Mississippi. Moody told the dispatcher that he had been planning the shooting for months and had loaded automatic weapons. VPD was able to locate the cellular device he had used to make the call to them and traced it to a device in Hot Springs, Arkansas with subscriber information belonging to Moody. At the time of the call, Moody was living in the Vidalia, Louisiana area. He admitted to making the call to VPD with the intent to make a threat or with knowledge that the communication would be viewed as a threat.
The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and Vidalia Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.
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Monroe Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Robert Scott Brown, Jr., 40, of Monroe, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 121 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for receipt of child pornography. Brown pleaded guilty to the charge on October 10, 2023.
In 2021, agents with the Child Exploitation Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began investigating individuals who were suspected of distributing and receiving child sexual abuse material over the internet through a peer-to-peer network. On or about February 1, 2022, in connection with this investigation, the FBI and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the apartment of Brown. Agents located and seized four hard drives from the apartment, and a subsequent search confirmed the hard drives contained child pornography. One of the images which was downloaded to the hard drive on or about January 31, 2021, was a 23-second video of a girl performing oral sex on an adult male.
A restitution hearing has been scheduled for April 3, 2024.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.
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.
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Castor Man Sentenced for Possessing Methamphetamine and Numerous FirearmsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jereaud Egans, 38, of Castor, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 195 months (16 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for drug possession and illegal possession of firearms.
Egans pleaded guilty on February 22, 2023, to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to information presented in court, in October 2022, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating the suspected drug trafficking activities of Egans. Law enforcement agents were able to seize methamphetamine purchased from Egans and had it tested at a DEA laboratory. The results of the testing confirmed that it was a net weight of over 360 grams of methamphetamine.
On another instance in January 2023, agents conducted a traffic stop of Egans near his residence in Castor due to traffic violations committed by him. During the traffic stop, agents conducted a consensual search of the vehicle and found a loaded Canik 55 TP-9 9mm pistol under the driver’s seat. Agents also found and seized two vacuum sealed plastic bags containing approximately one pound of methamphetamine in a compartment under the front middle seat. The seized narcotics were tested at the DEA laboratory and confirmed to be methamphetamine with a net weight of over 444 grams.
A short time later, law enforcement agents obtained a search warrant for Egans’ residence and during the search recovered approximately 51 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 584 grams of suspected marijuana, 530 gross grams of cannabis pre-roll cigars, 528 gross grams of THC edibles, 104.3 gross grams of THC “moon rocks,” and marijuana seeds. In addition, agents recovered 18 firearms, one of which had been reported as stolen.
The case was investigated by DEA, ATF and the Bienville Parish Sheriff's Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.
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Members of Drug Trafficking Conspiracy in the Natchitoches, Louisiana Area Receive Federal Prison Sentences Totaling over 109 YearsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Seven members of a drug trafficking conspiracy in the Natchitoches, Louisiana area have all been sentenced, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced all of the defendants for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The last remaining one was sentenced on December 22, 2023. The names of those defendants and their sentences are as follows:
James Christopher Weeks, 51, of Montgomery, Louisiana, was sentenced to 360 months (20 years) in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Weeks pleaded guilty to the charge on October 14, 2022.
Savannah Maria Weeks, 31, of Arcadia, Louisiana, was sentenced to 78 months (6 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. S. Weeks pleaded guilty to the charge on June 29, 2022.
Eric Joseph Sandifer, 36, of Pineville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Sandifer pleaded guilty to the charge on November 29, 2022.
Ashley Danielle Dowden, 39, of Natchitoches, Louisiana, was sentenced to 96 months (8 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Dowden pleaded guilty to the charge on August 3, 2022.
Candiace Shree Bronson, 39, of Alexandria, Louisiana, was sentenced to 78 months (6 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Bronson pleaded guilty to the charge on September 26, 2022.
Louis Vernon Jackson, 39, of Natchitoches, was sentenced to 360 months (30 years) in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Jackson was the only defendant who went to trial and was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, felon in possession of firearms and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, by a jury in April 2023.
Adam James Johnson, 41, of Natchitoches, was sentenced to 235 months (19 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge on March 16, 2023.
In early March 2020, agents with the Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force (“NMJDTF”) received information regarding a group of individuals selling large amounts of methamphetamine in the Natchitoches area. Law enforcement agents began an investigation into these illegal drug trafficking activities and learned that James Weeks, his daughter, Savannah Weeks, Adam Johnson, Louis Jackson, and Eric Sandifer, were major methamphetamine distributors in northwest Louisiana. Dowden and Bronson were working closely with them in this drug trafficking organization. Through their investigation, agents conducted surveillance of these defendants on numerous occasions and in both Natchitoches and Alexandria, Louisiana. They were also able to obtain information from other sources as to the drug trafficking activities of these defendants.
Through their investigation, agents learned that J. Weeks, who was serving a 192-month imprisonment sentence in the Yazoo City Medium federal prison facility on a Western District of Louisiana drug conspiracy conviction, was conducting drug trafficking operations from the federal prison facility. J. Weeks was communicating through Facebook Messenger with S. Weeks, Johnson, and other co-conspirators about methamphetamine trafficking. On March 26, 2020, a K9 utilized by HSI-Riverside, California, alerted on a package at the San Bernardino, California, shipping facility destined to J. Weeks’ mother and daughter, S. Weeks, in Arcadia, Louisiana. A state search warrant was obtained, and six pounds of methamphetamine were recovered. J. Weeks admitted to agents that he had met a methamphetamine source of supply through another inmate in prison and that he was involved in the package being sent to his mother’s residence. J. Weeks introduced these sources to Johnson, who purchased the methamphetamine from them on several occasions.
In March 2020, agents conducted surveillance on Johnson’s home in Natchitoches and observed Dowden arrive and enter the residence. Shortly thereafter, both Dowden and Johnson left in separate vehicles. They were subsequently stopped for a traffic violation and agents recovered suspected drugs in Dowden’s possession. A search warrant was also later executed at Johnson’s residence which resulted in the discovery of approximately 3,720 grams of methamphetamine in the attic of Johnson’s home. Dowden hid two large bags containing the suspected methamphetamine in the attic at the direction of Johnson and also took trips to Dallas with him to retrieve the methamphetamine in exchange for large amounts of cash. A chemical analysis conducted by the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory determined the substance was in fact methamphetamine, having a total net weight of 3,716.7 grams and ranging between 89.4 and 98.4% purity level.
On March 3, 2020, while on supervised probation by Louisiana State Probation and Parole, Sandifer was arrested on a drug charge out of Oklahoma. Officers responded to his residence and found Sandifer who advised that there was methamphetamine in the vehicle in his yard and he admitted that he had been using the vehicle for several weeks. A search warrant was obtained and executed, and officers seized approximately 127 grams of actual methamphetamine, a digital scale, and baggies from inside the vehicle. Sandifer also had messages on his cell phone in which he was communicating with Johnson regarding methamphetamine trafficking in Natchitoches.
During their investigation, agents conducted surveillance at the Motel 6 in Natchitoches and the Best Western in Alexandria. On April 16, 2020, they observed Jackson pull into the parking lot of the Motel 6 and then depart the property. Agents obtained search warrants on those rooms which yielded 34 Tramadol pills, a Marlin rifle; model: 336CS; caliber: 30-30, a SCCY pistol; model: CPX-1, and several pieces of paperwork with Bronson’s name. On May 13, 2020, agents observed S. Weeks and a male arrive at the Best Western hotel and enter a room. S. Weeks departed and was subsequently pulled over in a traffic stop. Agents seized approximately 132 grams of actual methamphetamine from her, and it was confirmed to be actual methamphetamine.
A search warrant was obtained and executed on the Best Western hotel room, where Bronson and Jackson were present. Agents seized approximately 498 grams of methamphetamine, $11,300 in U.S. currency, and a purse belonging to Bronson. Bronson and Jackson were subsequently arrested. A chemical analysis was conducted on the suspected narcotics by the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory and determined the substances seized from S. Weeks and the Best Western hotel room were in fact methamphetamine, having a net weight of 132.7 grams with 89.9% purity and 498.2 grams with 92.7% purity level, respectively.
“The successful investigation by the local and federal law enforcement agents in this case has resulted in over 20 pounds of methamphetamine being taken off the streets of northwest Louisiana,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “These types of investigations take a lot of hard work and man hours to develop, and our communities are much safer after getting these bad actors off the streets. I commend the efforts of these local and federal partners and we will continue to prosecute those who choose to traffic drugs in our district.”
“This investigation, and its subsequent successful prosecutions, were the result of a complete law enforcement team effort,” stated Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright. “The Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force invested significant resources over the past three years and joined with other sheriff’s offices and federal law enforcement partners to take action and remove over 600 grams of methamphetamine from our community. And seven narcotics distributors are now in prison as a result of their dangerous criminal activity."
“We appreciate the diligent and ongoing effort of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in prosecuting these cases in federal court,” stated Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Jo Harrington. “Some of the defendants, including Johnson, are also facing charges in Natchitoches Parish. I also commend our local law enforcement agencies for their hard work and effort in removing illegal narcotics from our parish."
This case was investigated by the Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force (NMJDTF), Department of Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, ATF, Natchitoches City Police, and Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cytheria D. Jernigan and Brian C. Flanagan and United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.
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Marksville Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Rapides Parish Council on AgingRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Kayla M. Vead a/k/a Kayla Lachney, 41, of Marksville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Lachney pleaded guilty on July 20, 2023, to two counts of wire fraud as a result of embezzlement of funds. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $388,946.82.
According to information presented in court, Lachney began work for the Rapides Parish Council on Aging (“RPCOA”) as a bookkeeper on or about July 2018. Part of her duties included processing payroll, using the RPCOA credit card, and forwarding the Executive Director and their accounting firm with its financial records such as bank statements. Lachney had deposit accounts at financial institutions including Simmesport State Bank and Bank of Montgomery.
While employed at RPCOA, Lachney caused checks to be issued on its account, purportedly payable to vendors, but she actually forged endorsements and deposited those checks into her personal account. In order to conceal her theft, which occurred while she was obtaining a discharge of debts via Chapter 13 bankruptcy, Lachney concealed and mislabeled her fraudulent checks in RPCOA’s internal accounting ledger. For example, on September 11, 2019, Lachney caused a RPCOA check to be issued on RPCOA's bank account made payable to Kayla Vead in the amount of $4,700. This check was in addition to her regular payroll check and deposited into her personal Bank of Montgomery account on or about September 11, 2019, after which she converted the funds to her own use. In another instance of her embezzlement scheme, on August 3, 2020, Lachney caused a check to be issued on RPCOA’s bank account made payable to Kayla Vead in the amount of $1,800. This check was in addition to her regular payroll check and deposited into her Bank of Montgomery account, after which she converted the funds to her own use. Lachney provided an altered version of this check to RPCOA’s accounting firm, which made it appear as though this check had been issued to D&T Wholesale Office. During her three-year scheme, Lachney wrongfully obtained over $100,000 each year on average and used those funds to establish businesses such as Southern Sass Closet and Kay’s Bridal Boutique.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan.
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U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown Announces the Confirmation of Jerry Edwards, Jr. as Federal Judge for the Western District of LouisianaRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jerry Edwards, Jr. has resigned from the Department of Justice after having been confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as United States District Court Judge.
“There is a reason I selected Jerry Edwards as my First Assistant after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate as U.S. Attorney,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Judge Edwards is a well-respected litigator, the consummate professional, garners great respect among our local, state and federal judges and over the years has constantly displayed strong leadership abilities amongst his peers in this office. I could not dream of a better district judge selection. We are quite saddened to lose him as a colleague in this office, but great things lie ahead for this district due to this historical confirmation.”
During his tenure at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Edwards served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Louisiana, which includes 42 of the State’s 64 parishes and geographically encompasses two-thirds of the State of Louisiana. Edwards has served as the First Assistant United States Attorney since 2022 and prior to that, served as the district’s Civil Chief from 2020 through 2022. Edwards is the first person of color ever to have sat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. As First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Edwards oversaw the investigation and prosecution of all federal criminal violations in the Western District of Louisiana and represented the United States in all civil litigation occurring in the District.
Prior to serving at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Edwards was a Shareholder and Director at Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts in Shreveport where he was employed from 2006-2019, with a diverse litigation practice focused primarily on tort defense, consumer bankruptcy work for creditors, and collection work. In addition, he handled municipal work with a focus on zoning and land use. Edwards received his Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia State University in 2002 and his Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School in 2005. After graduating law school, Edwards clerked for Judges Jeanette G. Garrett and Scott J. Crichton of the First Judicial District Court of Louisiana.
After being sworn in by Chief U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty, Edwards began his service on the bench on December 23, 2023. Edwards, 44, was nominated by President Biden on June 7, 2023. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on December 14, 2023.
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Scott, Louisiana Man Sentenced for Attempting to Entice a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity and Attempting to Produce Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Kane Miller, 33, of Scott, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to 205 months (17 years, 1 month) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. On September 12, 2023, Miller pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to entice a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and two counts of attempted production of child pornography of the superseding indictment filed in this case.
The charges in this case stem from an investigation by an undercover law enforcement officer wherein the officer posed as a 13-year-old female on Whisper, an anonymous social networking app. A message was posted by the undercover officer and a user, who was later identified as Miller, contacted the purported minor female utilizing the private message function on Whisper. Between December 5, 2022 and January 4, 2023, Miller was messaging the minor female and expressed his desire to meet with the “child.” In very explicit terms, he further expressed his desire to engage in sexual acts with the “child” when they met. The defendant discussed details of meeting with the “child,” including determining that she lived in Lafayette, Louisiana, and confirming that he also lived in Lafayette. In addition, he sent numerous images of his private parts to the “child.”
Law enforcement officers arrested Miller on March 7, 2023. At the time of his arrest, after being advised of his Miranda rights, Miller admitted that he had not only talked to the “child” identified above, but that in addition, numerous other minor females had sent him images and he kept them on his cell phone. Miller gave law enforcement officers consent to view his cell phone and they found numerous sexually explicit naked images of what appeared to be young adolescent children. Those images could be coupled with text messages in which the defendant had asked for the sexually explicit images and in which the children had told the defendant that they were minor females under the age of 15. These instances occurred on
February 8 and 21, 2023, prior to his conversations with the undercover agent. In each instance, Miller requested and obtained sexually explicit images from females identifying themselves as minor females under the age of 15. Though the children have not been identified, they appear to be minor females. As such, the defendant attempted to cause persons he believed to be minor females to produce sexually explicit images of themselves and sent to him using the internet.
The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Luke Walker.
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.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Forfeiture Process to Begin for Firearms Seized from Dave’s Gunshop in Lafayette, LARead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana will be handling a forfeiture proceeding in connection with the seizure of numerous firearms in the case involving Dave’s Gunshop in Lafayette, Louisiana.
During the investigation of this case, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives seized numerous firearms from Dave’s Gunshop and also from the residence of Jeremiah Micah Deare and Sarah Elaine Fogle. The defendants in this case, Deare and Fogle, were charged and found guilty of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license.
If you, your family member, or anyone that you know may have an interest in claiming ownership of any of the firearm(s) seized in this case, please contact the Forfeiture Unit of our office at 318-676-3600 for information on how to file a claim with the court for any firearm(s).
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Shreveport Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of a Firearm While Serving Time in Halfway HouseRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of a Shreveport man for being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Recardo Cartrell Pierce, 27, to 93 months (7 years, 9 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
A jury in Shreveport returned a guilty verdict against Pierce after a trial in January of this year. Evidence introduced at the trial revealed that Bossier Parish Sheriff’s deputies conducted a stop of a vehicle for a traffic violation on May 21, 2022, in Bossier. Pierce was the sole passenger in the vehicle which was being driven by a female companion. When deputies approached the vehicle, they found Pierce with his seat pushed all the way back near the back seat of the vehicle and the seat was leaned back. Deputies were given consent to search the vehicle and found in the back seat behind the driver’s seat, and just within Pierce’s reach, a backpack containing a Kel-Tec semi-automatic 5.56 caliber rifle with a loaded magazine and a pair of safety gloves. This high-powered weapon had a round in the chamber ready to fire with the safety switch in the off position. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) joined the investigation and tested the firearm and found it to be in working order.
At the time of his arrest, Pierce was in a halfway house serving the remainder of his federal prison sentence where he was convicted in 2018 of being a felon possession of a firearm. As a convicted felon, Pierce knew that he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Seth D. Reeg.
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Former Shreveport, Louisiana Medical Practitioner Sentenced to 36 MonthsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, LA – Larry Clyde Daniels, 65, of Keithville, Louisiana, was sentenced on November 29, 2023, for distribution of controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice to 36 months followed by three years of supervised release and a $20,000.00 fine by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.
On December 16, 2020, Larry Clyde Daniels, 65, of Keithville, Louisiana, was charged in an 82-count Indictment for violations of Distribution of Controlled Substances—buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance, Klonopin, a Schedule IV controlled substance, and Adderall, a Schedule I controlled substance—outside the bounds of professional medical practices.
Daniels pled guilty to Count 44 and on November 29, 2023, Daniels was sentenced by Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 36 months in federal prison, three years supervised release, and a $20,000.00 fine for distribution of controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice.
“It is no secret that many Americans suffer from opioid addiction and the effects can be fatal,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Physicians, by way of their oath, undertake a great responsibility to exhaust all efforts to ensure that those who are prescribed opioids actually need them. This defendant admittedly failed to do so by over prescribing these powerful drugs. We hope this sentence sends a powerful message to physicians who consider engaging in such conduct.”
From 2016 through 2017, Daniels was a medical practitioner practicing within the Western District of Louisiana. Daniels received a Drug Addiction Treatment Act waiver in 2007 and was authorized to treat patients with opioid addictions. Daniels worked one night a week from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Warren Medical Multi-Care Clinic. On September 12, 2017, an undercover DEA agent acting as a patient, paid $325.00 in cash for the first visit with Daniels and was requested to come back the following evening to see Daniels.
The next day the undercover agent met with Daniels for approximately eight minutes. After this meeting, Daniels prescribed the undercover agent buprenorphine with a starting dose in excess of what is required without documenting a rationale for such starting dosage in the undercover’s patient file. Also, Daniels noted that the undercover relayed a history of recreational drug abuse but failed to discuss with the undercover the negative results of his drug test and failed to perform a physical examination. As a result, Daniels’ actions violated acceptable medical practices and acceptable medical practices within the State of Louisiana.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tennille M. Gilreath and Allison Duncan prosecuted the case.
Lafayette Firearms Store Owner and Wife Found Guilty on Federal Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two individuals from Broussard, Louisiana, have been found guilty on all counts after a jury trial that began in federal court on Monday, November 27, 2023, and ended Thursday evening, November 30, 2023. The couple was originally indicted for conspiring to deal firearms without a license, making false statements in records required to be kept by a licensed firearms dealer, and failing to file sales reports in connection with their firearms business located in Lafayette.
Jeremiah Micah Deare, 37, Sarah Elaine Fogle, 30, were found guilty of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, after the jury heard from over 20 witnesses and numerous trial exhibits demonstrating the illegal sale and attempted illegal sale of hundreds of firearms out of their residence and at gun shows as an unlicensed business. The couple was found to have engaged in the business of dealing firearms without following applicable laws, including the required background checks on their customers. The 246 firearms seized from the couple’s home, many with price tags, were brought into court for the jury to inspect, and the indictment also seeks forfeiture of a total of 619 firearms which were involved in the commission of these offenses.
Trial testimony and evidence revealed that Deare was the owner of Dave’s Gunshop, LLC (Dave’s) and the responsible party for Dave’s Federal Firearms License, which was located in Lafayette, Louisiana. Deare and Fogle did not hold a Federal Firearms License in their individual capacities. On or about August 13, 2019, a compliance inspection was conducted at Dave’s by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). At a warning conference on September 19, 2019, in Baton Rouge, Deare and Fogle were warned for numerous violations, including failing to complete a background check form ATF-4473 (one time), failing to accurately keep acquisition and disposition records for dispositions (67 times), failing to accurately keep acquisition and disposition records for acquisitions (62 times), transferring firearms without having a final response from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (two times), inaccurate completion of ATF-4473 forms (111 times), and for missing firearms. Trial evidence confirmed that, on that same day, the ATF investigator provided an Acknowledgement of Federal Firearms Regulations to inform Deare of their responsibilities as a Federal Firearms License holder, and about laws relating to engaging in the business of selling firearms at gun shows. Trial documents further proved the acknowledgment was signed by Deare acknowledging that he understood he was responsible for familiarizing himself with the laws and regulations.
During trial, testimony and evidence showed that Deare and Fogle, after being warned, willfully engaged in the business of dealing in firearms without a license by buying and selling firearms without complying with the recordkeeping and background check requirements required by federal law. Deare and Fogle acquired large quantities of firearms and ammunition from estate sales and other means but would not document the firearms in Dave’s Acquisition & Disposition Book as required by federal law. In addition, firearms brought to Dave’s to be sold on consignment were not logged into Dave’s Acquisition & Disposition Book and were not placed for sale at Dave’s, but rather were brough to gun shows to sell off of Dave’s A&D book and without background checks.
The jury trial revealed that Deare and Fogle kept firearms at their residence without logging them out of Dave’s store inventory and would travel with the firearms to gun shows conducted at various locations in Louisiana and several other states. Deare and Fogle sold firearms at gun shows to non-Louisiana residents for which no ATF-4473 or background checks were ever completed. Their failure to conduct background checks resulted in the sales of firearms to persons prohibited by law from possessing or purchasing firearms. Additionally, the sales of firearms at gun shows outside the State of Louisiana were not done through a dealer licensed in the state where the gun show was conducted as required by law. The proceeds from the out-of-state gun sales of firearms were not included as revenue for Dave’s, but instead, evidence and testimony revealed Deare and Fogle used it for their own personal gain to avoid any record of these profits with Dave’s, which at the time was in litigation with the previous owner.
Following the trial, a detention hearing was held and Deare was remanded into custody, where he will remain until the sentencing on April 2, 2024. Fogle will remain out on bond, with a restriction prohibiting her from traveling outside the State of Louisiana.
Deare faces a sentence of not more than 5 years in prison on Counts 1 and 2, and not more than 1 year on Count 3 of the Indictment. Fogle faces a sentence of not more than 5 years in prison on Count 1 of the Indictment. Each defendant also faces up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
The ATF conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren L. Gardner and Myers P. Namie prosecuted the case.
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Louisiana Police Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation in Dangerous Assault of a Non-Violent ManRead the Press Release
A former officer of the Shreveport, Louisiana, Police Department, Dylan Hudson, 37, was sentenced yesterday to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release for assaulting a non-violent loitering suspect. Hudson was convicted earlier this year after a four-day trial.
“This defendant’s use of force was grossly excessive, inhumane and potentially fatal. The defendant repeatedly hit a nonviolent suspect in the head, kicked him in the face, tased him multiple times and pistol-whipped him in the head,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When an officer so grievously abuses the authority entrusted to him by his community, the Justice Department will respond with the full force of the law.”
“The defendant’s conduct was not representative of the oath he once swore to uphold as a law enforcement officer,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “When the federal government learns of such egregious conduct and we feel criminal civil rights charges can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, we will seek to hold those responsible accountable with an ancillary goal of restoring, and in some cases establishing, public trust in state, local and federal law enforcement.”
“The jury verdict and sentencing send a clear message to those who wear the badge and to the public that sickening conduct like that of Hudson’s will simply not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “The FBI is committed to ensuring those who violate the public’s trust are held accountable.”
The evidence at trial established that Hudson physically assaulted a loitering suspect during a daytime arrest in Shreveport. During the arrest, Hudson repeatedly struck the suspect in the head and face. The conduct showed by police body-worn cameras included several potentially deadly uses of force, including striking the man in the head with a loaded pistol, tasing him at the base of the skull and kicking him in the face. Hudson’s fellow officers testified that the loitering suspect was non-violent throughout the entire arrest, and that Hudson’s repeated violations of training and policy created a danger not only to the suspect, but to others as well.
The FBI New Orleans Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick for the Western District of Louisiana prosecuted the case.
North Carolina Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Transporting Cocaine through LouisianaRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, LA. - Howard Davis, 45, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was sentenced November 29, for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 262 months (21 years, 8 months) in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Davis was found guilty by a federal jury on June 14, 2023. Testimony at trial showed that on August 2, 2022, Davis was stopped by a Louisiana State Trooper on Interstate 20 near Minden, Louisiana, for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of the story that Davis gave him as to why he was traveling through the area. The trooper was able to receive information from law enforcement indicating that the vehicle Davis was driving had been seen in North Carolina during the early morning hours the day before the traffic stop and was seen later that same evening in Dallas, Texas. The information Davis provided to the trooper led him to believe that he was not being truthful. A Louisiana State Trooper K-9 was called in and conducted an open-air sniff of Davis’s vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics. While conducting a search of the vehicle, troopers found inside the trunk a tote bag containing approximately 4.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine wrapped in black electrical tape. The cocaine had an estimated street value of over $110,000. The narcotics were seized and sent to the DEA Laboratory for testing, and it was confirmed to be cocaine.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy and Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney.
U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI Seeking to Identify Potential Victims in Connection with Online Child Exploitation CaseRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) are seeking to identify potential victims of an online child exploitation scheme which originated in Suffolk County, New York, and in Northwest Louisiana in 2022.
The defendant in this investigation, Stephen Andrew Cipkin, has been charged by federal indictment with traveling to engage in illicit sexual activity, under 18 U.S.C. § 2423(b); production and receipt of child pornography, under 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(2); possession of child pornography, under 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B); and enticement of a minor, under 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b).
The defendant may also be known by the following online usernames: “sac8635,” “ArabellaC.,” “Human no-more,” “numb little bug,” “Swiffer1,” “@onlygoodguy,” and “Ur_Perfect_Daddy.” The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If you, your family member, or anyone that you know has had contact with this individual or any of the above-listed usernames while being tutored in Suffolk County, New York, or while using the online applications Snapchat, Pinterest, YesIChat, Y99, or Instagram between 2020 and 2023, and would like to report a crime, please contact the FBI via email at: [email protected].
For additional resources and information, please visit: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/sextortion.
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Federal Jury Trial Ends with Guilty Verdict Against Abbeville Man for Trafficking of FentanylRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal jury trial last week against Gabriel Hawthorne, 41, of Abbeville, Louisiana, ended with the jury finding Hawthorne guilty of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, specifically fentanyl. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays presided over the week-long trial.
According to information presented in court, Hawthorne conspired with two others who were also indicted, Frederick Malaki Thornton and Andrea Mitchell, to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Abbeville area. In March 2022, an individual exchanged a series of phone calls and text messages with Mitchell, and she agreed to sell heroin to that individual. She arranged the distribution of the heroin by communicating with Thornton, who was her boyfriend at the time, and Hawthorne, who was her supplier. Hawthorne owned a business, ZZ’s Kitchen, in Abbeville and would use that business to store the narcotics that he, Mitchell and Thornton made arrangements to sell. Mitchell also admitted that Hawthorne would mix the heroin before giving it to her to sell. The suspected heroin which was sold by Mitchell and Thornton were seized and sent to the DEA Laboratory for testing and resulted a positive test for fentanyl.
Hawthorne faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
Frederick Thornton and Andrea Mitchell each previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Nickel and J. Luke Walker.
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Convicted Felon Found Unconscious in Vehicle Flees Police Resulting in Crash and Federal Prison TimeRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jorel Hughes, 40, of Opelousas, Louisiana, has been sentenced for illegally possessing a firearm. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Hughes to 126 months (10 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Hughes pleaded guilty on August 18, 2023, to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
On July 12, 2022, officers with the Lafayette Police Department encountered Hughes while he was seated in the driver’s seat of a vehicle and parked adjacent to a fuel pump at a RaceTrac gas station in Lafayette. At the time, Hughes appeared to be in a drug-induced unconscious state and officers and other first responders rendered aid to him, including administering two doses of Narcan. While providing aid to Hughes and before he regained consciousness, officers located two firearms near Hughes in the vehicle. Officers later learned that Hughes had previously been convicted of a felony offense and one of the firearms had been reported stolen.
When Hughes regained consciousness, he did not comply with officers and instead resisted their efforts to detain him, attempted to disarm one of the officers, and crashed into other vehicles as he drove the vehicle out of the gas station parking lot. Hughes fled the scene at a high rate of speed, eventually crashing into a drainage ditch and then attempted to flee the crash on foot. Hughes was apprehended by officers and arrested. Hughes admitted to being a convicted felon and possessing the firearms, knowing that he was prohibited from doing so.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lafayette Police Department and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Danny Siefker.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Illegal Possession of a Firearm Results in Federal Prison Sentence for Lake Charles ManRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a Lake Charles man with a lengthy criminal history, was sentenced today for illegally possessing a firearm. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Dewayne Eugene Miller, 42, to 72 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Miller pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person on May 23, 2023.
On June 2, 2022, officers with the Lake Charles Police Department were dispatched to a residence on 12th Street in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Upon arrival, the officer observed Miller walking away from the residence and toward another one on the same street while holding a handgun. The officer ordered Miller to drop the gun. Miller tossed the gun under the porch of another residence and put up his hands and was taken into custody. At the guilty plea hearing, Miller admitted to knowingly possessing the Charter 2000, Model Undercover .38 caliber handgun even though he had previously been convicted of numerous felony crimes.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lake Charles Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Shreveport Man Receives Lengthy Federal Prison Sentence for Illegally Possessing an AR-Style PistolRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Broxstonie Demichael Mitchell, 37, of Shreveport, has pleaded guilty to and was sentenced yesterday on a firearm charge. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Mitchell to 100 months (8 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to evidence presented to the court, on the afternoon of May 5, 2021, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were conducting surveillance and video recorded Mitchell carrying an AR-style pistol at a local Shreveport motel. Agents observed Mitchell get into the rear passenger seat of a vehicle parked nearby and leave with three other individuals. Soon after, Louisiana State Police troopers conducted a traffic stop and ordered all occupants from the vehicle. As Mitchell exited the backseat, a digital scale fell from his lap onto the pavement. Law enforcement placed Mitchell in custody and advised him of his Miranda rights. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and agents found a loaded AR-style pistol with a high-capacity magazine lying on the floorboard where Mitchell had been sitting. This pistol was determined to be stolen. Also on that floorboard was a single yellow pill, and between the driver’s seat and center console was a clear plastic baggie containing amounts of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and yellow pills.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) determined that the firearm was a functioning Anderson Arms model AM-15 pistol which had affected commerce. At the time of his arrest, Mitchell was on supervised probation for another felony offense and knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. In 2010, Mitchell was previously convicted in federal court in the Western District of Louisiana, Shreveport Division, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.
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Former Barksdale Air Force Base Civilian Employee Sentenced on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Christopher Allen-Shinn, 44, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced on child pornography charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Allen-Shinn was sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 210 months (17 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Allen-Shinn pleaded guilty on March 30, 2022, to a Bill of Information charging him with one count of receipt of child pornography. This charge was the result of an investigation by the Office of Special Investigations (“OSI”) of Barksdale Air Force Base (“BAFB”) into several cyber-tip reports received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) in April 2021. These NCMEC reports indicated that a Dropbox account registered to a BAFB resident was being used to store child pornography on a cloud account. Investigators with the Louisiana State Attorney General’s Office and OSI reviewed 37 of the images forwarded by NCMEC and confirmed that the images contained child pornography. OSI confirmed that the internet service account that was used for the Dropbox account was registered to Christopher Allen-Shinn’s residence on BAFB. He was a civilian employed as a historian at BAFB.
A search warrant was executed at Allen-Shinn’s residence on April 16, 2021. During the search, OSI agents conducted an examination of some of Allen-Shinn’s computer devices and storage media. Agents identified multiple images of child pornography. Further examination of his computer revealed that the defendant received images of child pornography from December 2020 to April 2021. These images included sexually explicit images that the defendant solicited online from minor females in exchange for money. During this time period, Allen-Shinn resided at and was a full-time civilian employee at BAFB. Allen-Shinn admitted to downloading the child pornography and to soliciting underage females online for sexually explicit images in exchange for money.
The case was investigated by Barksdale Air Force Base’s Office of Special Investigations and Louisiana State Attorney General’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Earl M. Campbell.
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Convicted Sabine Parish Drug Dealer Receives 29 Year Federal Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Scott William Wood, 41, of Noble, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to a total of 29 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug and firearm charges. Wood was sentenced to 22 years for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; 5 years for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; and an additional 2 years for revocation of his supervised probation, with each sentence to run consecutive, for a total of 29 years.
According to information presented in court, a deputy with the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Wood was the front seat passenger on December 26, 2022. On the front floorboard of the passenger side of the vehicle, the deputy found a small, zippered bag. The bag was located underneath where Wood had been seated. Inside the zippered bag, the deputy found a loaded Glock, Model 43X, 9mm pistol and a clear bag containing approximately 120 grams of methamphetamine. The firearm and the methamphetamine belonged to Wood, and he admitted to intending to distribute the methamphetamine to other individuals. Wood pleaded guilty to the offenses of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking at the guilty plea hearing on May 26, 2023.
At the time of his arrest, Wood was on supervised release in the Western District of Louisiana. He was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on November 21, 2013 and was previously sentenced to 120 months in prison for that offense.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth D. Reeg.
The investigation and conviction of Wood is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Shreveport Man with Numerous Felony Convictions Sentenced to 12 + Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Odis L. Taylor, 33, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 145 months (12 years, 1 month) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
According to information presented in court, on January 26, 2021, Taylor was found in possession of a Glock Model 23 Gen 4, .40 caliber pistol, near the intersection of Mable and Darien Streets in Shreveport. Shreveport Police Department (“SPD”) officers responded to a call that day and found fourteen (14) .40 caliber shell casings near a store on Mable Street.
On February 4, 2021, Taylor was arrested by SPD officers near Bringhurst Drive in Shreveport and found in possession of a vehicle with a Glock Model 23 Gen 4, .40 caliber pistol located in plain view partially under the driver’s seat. A search warrant was executed by law enforcement officers and inside Taylor’s vehicle was a box of ammunition, an extra magazine, and a smartphone.
The firearm that was seized from Taylor was test fired by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and placed into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) system. The NIBIN system found the firearm to match the .40 caliber shell casings which were recovered on January 26, 2021, from the intersection of Mable and Darien Streets. Testing and analysis performed on the recovered firearm found Taylor’s DNA on the firearm.
Taylor is a convicted felon, having numerous felony convictions in Caddo Parish, including first degree robbery in 2010, attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2014, and domestic abuse battery second offense and cruelty to juveniles in 2019. He knew that as a convicted felon he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Taylor was charged in an indictment on March 23, 2022, and pleaded guilty on January 24, 2023, to two counts of felon in possession of a firearm.
The case was investigated by ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Bastrop Man Convicted and Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Gary Landon Harper, Jr., 33, of Bastrop, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 300 months (25 years) in prison, for production of child pornography.
This case was the result of an investigation by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office into allegations that Harper was misusing the internet social media application Snapchat to contact minor females in the Monroe area. Their investigation revealed that between January 1, 2021, and October 29, 2021, Harper utilized Snapchat to communicate with numerous females between the ages of 13 and 16 who attended Monroe-area middle and high schools. Harper would pay some of these females for their Snapchat login information which he would use to impersonate them and direct other females in their contact lists to “friend” accounts that he controlled, under the guise of making money from a “sugar daddy.”
Harper would further the scheme by paying females to send him sexually explicit videos and images, and to meet up with him for sex. The specific instance related to the charge in the indictment occurred between January and September 2021 when Harper enticed a 16-year-old female victim to meet him and have sex in exchange for $150. When they met, Harper filmed the pair having sex inside his pickup truck. He did this knowing she was a minor at the time. Investigators recovered that video recording from Harper’s cell phone pursuant to a search warrant and positively identified the female victim. Through their investigation, agents learned that Harper victimized over 25 minor females in his heinous schemes. Harper pleaded guilty to the one count of production of child pornography in this case on April 5, 2023.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Shannon.
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Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Operations Lead to Lengthy Federal Prison Sentences for Two MenRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two men involved in the trafficking of methamphetamine have been sentenced. Joseph R. Johnson and Isidro Chavarria were each indicted by a federal grand jury as a result of two separate Organized Crime Drug Trafficking Task Force operations.
Joseph R. Johnson, 44, of New Iberia, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to 157 months (13 years, 1 month) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Johnson pleaded guilty on April 27, 2023, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In 2020, law enforcement agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) began investigating a drug trafficking organization operating in the Lafayette area and being supplied by Johnson. Through their investigation, agents learned that Johnson frequently traveled from southern California to Louisiana for the purposes of distributing narcotics. Johnson also often used the mail to transport narcotics and proceeds to and from California, Louisiana, Iowa, and South Carolina. Agents applied for and were granted authorization to intercept Johnson’s wire communications in 2021. During this interception time, agents were able to identify multiple co-conspirators who were assisting Johnson in the trafficking of methamphetamine. Through their investigative efforts, law enforcement agents were able to locate and seize multiple packages containing methamphetamine which were being shipped to and from multiple co-conspirators involved in the drug trafficking organization. Agents also identified and intercepted a vehicle transporting narcotics on behalf of Johnson and located over 30 pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside. Johnson admitted to willfully conspiring with his co-defendants in this case when he pled guilty to the charge.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana State Police and New Iberia Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel J. Vermaelen and J. Aaron Crawford.
Isidro Chavarria, 42, a federal prison inmate, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Beginning in January 2021, law enforcement agents began an investigation of a federal inmate at FCI Pollock who was believed to be coordinating large scale drug distribution while in prison. Agents were made aware that contraband phones were being smuggled into the prison in order to communicate with Cartel members and other individuals involved in the drug conspiracy. Through their investigation, agents obtained evidence that Chavarria was communicating with his co-conspirators on these contraband phones and in fact, was directing his wife and other parties to distribute methamphetamine that his co-conspirator was sending her. Chavarria pleaded guilty on April 4, 2023, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
At the time of this offense, Chavarria was serving a 210-month federal prison sentence for drug distribution offense from 2019. This sentence will run consecutive to the sentence he was serving.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.
The investigation and conviction of both Johnson and Chavarria and their co-defendants is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Monroe Auto Brokerage Owner Sentenced to Federal Prison for Wire Fraud and Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – Avery Antron Goins, 44, of Monroe, has been sentenced for wire fraud and bankruptcy fraud, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Goins was sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for these offenses. Goins was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $90,000.
Goins worked in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, in the auto brokerage and sales industry. According to information introduced in court, Goins registered two companies with the Louisiana Secretary of State, Avery’s Auto Brokerage in 2006 and 2nd Chance Auto LLC in 2017. Since approximately the fall of 2013, Goins and his company were placed on a listing of restricted car dealers due in part because of the frequency in which he issued insufficient checks for vehicle sales transactions. Goins had deposit accounts at various financial institutions.
In January 2019, Goins established accounts with JPMorgan Chase Bank and Regions Bank in the name of 2nd Chance Auto LLC (“2nd Chance”) and made an initial cash deposit of $100 into the Regions Bank account. Goins also applied for an account in the name of 2nd Chance with Elavon, Inc. (“Elavon”), a credit card processor who processed its merchant customers’ credit card transactions, and this account was tied to his Regions Bank account for deposits, credit card chargebacks, and otherwise.
Between January 23, 2019, and February 28, 2019, the Elavon account had 33 suspicious credit card transactions on 32 individual credit card numbers all containing the same first eight digits. During this period, Goins attempted to credit a total of $138,800.00 in fraudulent credit card transactions at 2nd Chance’s Regions Bank account using his Elavon merchant terminal. One such transaction occurred on February 5, 2019, when Goins, as the sole employee of his car sales business, conducted a credit card transaction of $4,200. This credit card transaction was conducted by keying in the credit card number belonging to M.K.G., a Tampa, Florida resident. Goins did not have the authorization of M.K.G. when he charged $4,200 to M.K.G.’s account, nor did he sell M.K.G. a vehicle in exchange for this financial transaction. For each of the fraudulent 33 credit card transactions, thousands of dollars were credited to 2nd Chance’s Regions Bank account despite Goins not having the credit card, nor having the owner’s authorization, nor did he sell any vehicles in exchange. Elavon suffered a loss of approximately $40,700 and Goins’ merchant account was eventually closed.
Goins filed for bankruptcy protection on or about June 6, 2019, seeking Chapter 7 relief, and thus he had a duty to disclose all assets and debts. A couple of months before his bankruptcy filing, Goins deposited two checks totaling $160,000 into the Regions Bank account for 2nd Chance. These checks purportedly represented the proceeds from the sale of 10-14 vehicles to a Canadian purchaser. After depositing the checks, Goins began withdrawing thousands of dollars from the account. However, Regions Bank eventually determined Goins had deposited two counterfeit checks. As a result, Regions Bank suffered a loss of approximately $50,000 when the account became overdrawn. When asked in his Bankruptcy Schedule E/F to disclose his creditors having unsecured claims, Goins omitted the debt owed to Regions Bank and Elavon which he had incurred between January 2019 and March 2019. His intentional omission of debt fraudulently incurred violated federal criminal and bankruptcy law. He pleaded guilty to the charges on May 31, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the United States Trustee’s Office, Region 5, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan.
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Lake Charles Man Sentenced to over Six Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Johntrel Joel Lewis, 34, of Lake Charles, was sentenced today for illegally possessing a firearm, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Lewis was sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 78 months (6 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for the offense.
According to information presented in court, on August 6, 2022, deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Lewis. Lewis continued traveling in his vehicle evading law enforcement, eventually abandoning the vehicle, and fleeing on foot. Law enforcement officers apprehended Lewis and provided him his Miranda advisements. A search of his person revealed three clear bags containing a substance believed to be crack cocaine weighing approximately 20.8 grams, as well as over $900 in his pants pocket. Inside the vehicle, deputies located a clear bag near the vehicle in the direction Lewis had fled on foot, as well as a Taurus, model TH9C 9mm handgun loaded with eleven rounds of ammunition, with one round in the chamber, which was found between the front passenger seat and center console.
Law enforcement officers learned that Lewis had previously been convicted of illegally carrying a weapon by a convicted felon in the presence of a controlled substance in 2018. As a convicted felon, Lewis knew that he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) examined the recovered firearm and determined it was manufactured in Brazil and had traveled in or affected interstate commerce.
The case was investigated by ATF and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Shreveport Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Leroy Shintell McKinney, 38, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced on September 18, 2023, by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr., for possession with intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine. McKinney was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
On November 16, 2022, after a nearly two-year investigation into McKinney’s narcotics activity at various locations in Shreveport, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) arrested McKinney at a home on N. Southland Park Drive while executing a federal search warrant for narcotics. During the search, investigators found parked in the front yard of the home a red car known to be utilized by McKinney. A narcotics-detecting canine alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from within the car and investigators located approximately six ounces of methamphetamine hidden inside. In the home were digital scales and packaging material. After being advised of his Miranda rights, McKinney admitted to buying and possessing the methamphetamine for the purpose of distributing it. In total, investigators seized nearly 13 ounces of pure methamphetamine from McKinney throughout this investigation.
This case was investigated by members of the DEA, Louisiana State Police, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Postal Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.
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Illegal Possession and Distribution of Narcotics Results in Federal Prison Sentences for Two MenRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two men from North Louisiana for illegal possession and distribution of narcotics and a firearm.
Johnathan Davon Hill, 28, of Vivian, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 117 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of narcotics and a firearm. On July 1, 2022, law enforcement agents with the U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Force and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop a vehicle in which Hill was a passenger but the vehicle fled from law enforcement. The vehicle eventually reached a dead-end street and Hill fled from the vehicle and ran into the woods. A K9 unit arrived, and officers entered the woods and found Hill hiding. He was arrested for having for outstanding warrants.
While officers were searching for Hill, the driver of the vehicle in which Hill was a passenger was detained. Officers observed in plain view inside the vehicle bags with what appeared to be marijuana, white powder, and pills. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and officers found a large amount of suspected ecstasy pills, marijuana and cocaine, as well as a firearm under the driver’s seat. Hill admitted to officers that the narcotics and firearm belonged to him. Hill pleaded guilty to the charges on June 7, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Force and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Weber.
In a case from the Monroe Division of the Western District of Louisiana, United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Joshua Bosley, 35, of Sterlington, to 110 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine. According to information presented in court, on March 8, 2022, in the Western District of Louisiana, Bosley knowingly and intentionally distributed 109.5 grams of pure methamphetamine to an individual in exchange for cash. An indictment was returned by the grand jury in February 2023 and Bosley pleaded guilty to the charge on June 12, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and ATF and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Shannon.
The investigation and conviction of Bosley is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Two Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Their Employer Out of over $2 Million in Connection with the Sale of Chicken Frame ProductsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that William Ross Hickman, 49, of Arcadia, Louisiana, and Brian K. Whiteman, 48, of Haughton, were sentenced today on fraud charges.
United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Hickman to 52 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Hickman was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,693,221.
Whiteman was sentenced to 20 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. In addition, he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,183,949.
Hickman and Whiteman participated in a scheme to defraud which began prior to 2018 and involved Raeford Farms of Louisiana, LLC (Raeford Farms), where Hickman was employed as the Sales Manager and Whiteman was as the Assistant Sales Manager of their Arcadia production plant. Raeford Farms sells various products to include fresh and frozen chicken, and chicken frames. A chicken frame is the core of the chicken that remains after processing the breasts, thighs, wings, and legs. Hickman negotiated the sale of these chicken products seeking the highest possible return when selling them.
While employed at Raeford Farms, Hickman developed a scheme to fraudulently divert business from Raeford Farms by using Group 7792 as an intermediary to purchase chicken frames from Raeford Farms. Hickman used his position as Sales Manager to provide favorable sales terms to other entities to the detriment of Raeford Farms. Hickman had a pre-arranged agreement with an unnamed individual and his corporation to sell the chicken frames to Heritage Food Sales (Heritage), which was another company controlled by Hickman. Heritage paid Group 7792 a guaranteed return for each transaction but never took possession of the chicken frames or added anything of value to the transaction. Hickman would then sell the same chicken frames to a poultry wholesaler in Chattanooga, TN for profit.
To further the scheme to defraud, Hickman and others acting in concert with him, sent invoices by email from Arcadia, Louisiana, through interstate commerce, for Heritage to receive payment for the chicken frames. Hickman and Whiteman conspired together to conceal the involvement of Heritage from Raeford Farms in these chicken frame transactions. As Assistant Sales Manager for Raeford Farms, Whiteman was responsible for tracking inventory and the details regarding all shipments. Whiteman provided this type of information to Hickman to further the conspiracy to defraud in order to get a higher price for chicken frame loads sold by Heritage. In exchange for his participation in the conspiracy to defraud, Whiteman understood and agreed with Hickman that Heritage would pay him through his own business entity, All Trade Enterprise, LLC (All Trade). Hickman would pay Whiteman a monthly commission through All Trade and occasionally to him personally. The transactions conducted during the time period of this investigation resulted in a loss of over $2 million to Raeford Farms.
Hickman and Whiteman each pleaded guilty on March 8, 2023, to conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.
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Justice Department Awards over $4.4 Billion to Support Community SafetyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – The Justice Department has announced that it is awarding more than $4.4 billion to support state, local and Tribal public safety and community justice activities. The grants, from the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will help build community capacity to curb violence, serve victims and youth, and achieve fair outcomes through evidence-based criminal and juvenile justice strategies.
“The fact that nearly $60 million in grant money is being pumped into Louisiana alone is staggering,” said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “These grants will provide much needed funding for our local agencies to continue their work in making our communities a safer place to live. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with these local agencies in that effort.”
“Everyone in this country deserves to be safe in their communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why, in addition to continuing our efforts to identify and prosecute the most violent criminals, the Justice Department is putting every available resource to work to support the efforts of our law enforcement and community partners nationwide. This significant investment will go directly to state and local programs that support the victims of crime, support officer safety and wellness, build the public trust in law enforcement essential to public safety, and help make all of our communities safer.”
The more than 3,700 OJP grants being awarded this fiscal year will support state, local, and community-based efforts and evidence-based interventions that reduce violence, crime, and recidivism while delivering treatment and services to those at-risk of justice system involvement. Funding will expand partnerships between criminal justice professionals and behavioral health experts, help people safely and successfully transition from confinement back to their communities, reach crime victims in underserved areas, steer young people away from justice system contact, improve the management of sex offenders, and support a wide range of research and statistical activities that will help justice system professionals meet community safety challenges.
“Across the country, the Justice Department is working side-by-side with our partners in state and local law enforcement to combat violent crime by using our federal resources to amplify their work on the front lines,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “The billions of dollars in grants announced today will augment those efforts and the tools law enforcement is using to curb violence, counter deadly drug abuse, and promote safety and public trust. Together with our state and local partners, the Department will continue to do everything we can to protect the communities we all serve.”
“The Department of Justice is investing in community-based approaches to violence prevention, law enforcement health and wellness, Tribal courts, improved services for victims, research and data collection efforts, reentry programs, and much more,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “The grants announced today further our commitment to working with our state, Tribal, and local partners to increase public safety, build police-community trust, and ensure safe, healthy, and just communities for all.”
“Every sector of our society — not only the justice system, but nonprofit and faith-based groups, local leaders, and advocates, and people with lived experience who serve as credible messengers — plays a critical role in ensuring public safety and public health,” said OJP Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to make these substantial investments in building community infrastructure and supporting communities as co-producers of safety and justice.”
Grants will support five major community safety and justice priorities:
- Awards totaling more than $1 billion will promote safety and strengthen trust, helping communities tackle the proliferation of gun violence in America and restore bonds of trust between community residents and the justice system. Grants will support innovative and evidence-based strategies designed to prevent and reduce violent crime, support the health and safety of law enforcement and public safety professionals, promote rehabilitation and reentry success, and address the rise in hate crimes across the country.
- More than $437 million in grant awards will accelerate justice system reforms designed to achieve equal justice and fair treatment for all. Grants will expand access to services among historically underserved and marginalized communities, reduce counterproductive involvement in the justice system, increase opportunities for diversion, and build pathways to treatment for people with substance use and mental health disorders.
- Over $192 million will improve the fairness and effectiveness of the juvenile justice system by supporting developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive interventions for youth. Funding will ensure that young people are served at home in their communities whenever possible, are equipped to transition to a healthy adulthood free of crime, and are protected from violence and abuse.
- More than $1.7 billion will expand access to victim services by investing in programs that provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to victims. Funding will support thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory, while helping these programs build their capacity to reach those disproportionately affected by crime and victimization.
- Over $418 million in awards will advance science and innovation to strengthen the base of knowledge that policymakers and practitioners can use to design and deploy effective community safety strategies. Awards will support research and data collection on a wide range of public safety issues, help maintain timely and accurate criminal history records, and improve the capacity of crime labs and forensic analysts to solve crimes, absolve the innocent, and deliver justice to victims.
In addition, OJP will award more than $611 million to continue its support of other previously funded programs and congressionally directed spending. More information about the awards announced today can be found by visiting www.ojp.gov/funding/fy23awards.
An interactive map that shows where grants are going can be found at: Workbook: OJP Awards Dashboard (usdoj.gov).
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Project Safe Neighborhoods Cases Result in Federal Prison Sentences for Two MenRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Two men were sentenced today for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the following defendants:
Gregory Dewayne McCummings, 34, of Lake Charles, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, with credit for time served. According to information introduced in court, McCummings was involved in a traffic stop with deputies from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. During the encounter, McCummings was searched, and deputies found a clear plastic baggie in his pants pocket. He admitted that the baggie was used to store marijuana and previously did contain marijuana. Inside his vehicle, deputies found a backpack with a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber firearm, a large plastic baggie containing multiple smaller plastic baggies with suspected marijuana, a clear plastic bottle containing a liquid believed to be PCP, and a clear plastic bottle containing suspected ecstasy pills. McCummings has a prior felony conviction and knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. He pleaded guilty to the charge on May 31, 2023.
Melvin Blake, Jr., 30, of Lake Charles. Blake was sentenced to 21 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, with credit for time served. On November 2, 2021, detectives with Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a permitted search of a residence on Ellis Street in Lake Charles, wherein Blake was present. Deputies recovered a Smith & Wesson, Model 910, 9mm semi-automatic pistol from the bedroom. Blake admitted that the firearm belonged to him and that he had purchased it from someone for $150. He has a prior felony conviction and knew he was prohibited from possessing the firearm. Blake pleaded guilty to the charge on May 31, 2023.
These two cases were investigated by ATF and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Bossier City Man Sentenced for Illegally Distributing and Possessing CocaineRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Demetrius Demontrae Richmond, 26, of Bossier City, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote. Richmond was sentenced to 51 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.
According to information presented in court, Richmond began obtaining cocaine and crack cocaine from an individual in approximately January 2020. Richmond would purchase the narcotics from this individual at various places in Shreveport and then distribute to other individuals. Richmond admitted to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 267 grams of powder cocaine and 72 grams of crack cocaine.
The case was investigated by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.
The investigation and conviction of Richmond is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Acadiana Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jason Eric Lott, 40, of the Acadiana area in Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to 360 months (30 years) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for production of child pornography.
Lott developed a relationship with a 12-year-old minor female. Unbeknownst to the minor victim’s parents, Lott began engaging in a sexual relationship with the victim. In addition, Lott produced images of the minor victim engaging in sexually explicit conduct with him.
The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Luke Walker.
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.
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United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown Convenes Annual Training, Leadership Development and Award Conference in Bossier CityRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced today that the Western District of Louisiana’s United States Attorney’s Office Annual Training and Leadership Development Conference will be held September 20-22, 2023, at the Bossier Parish Sheriff Substation in Bossier City, LA. The district is headquartered in Shreveport with approximately 50 employees and has a branch office in Lafayette with roughly another 40 employees. The annual conference is the only time over the course of each fiscal year when the District’s employees convene in one location and the conference usually rotates between the Shreveport and Lafayette areas.
Sheriff Julian Whittington assisted U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown with the opening of the conference. The remainder of the agenda for the conference included presentations by: Chief District Judge Terry Doughty, General Counsel for the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) Jay Macklin, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Marvin Richardson EOUSA White Collar Crime & Covid-19 Fraud Coordinator Mandy Riedel and EOUSA Attorney Advisor Cristina Burbach. Additionally, Britney Green, Susette Bryant and retired Assistant United States Attorney William J. Flanagan will conduct leadership development sessions and renowned trial attorney, Roger Dodd of the Dodd Trial Skills Clinic will instruct on cross examination strategy and techniques.
The conference also included several team building exercises and for the first time a district award’s luncheon. During the luncheon, US Attorney Brown recognized the exceptional work of federal, state and local law enforcement officers, Assistant United States Attorneys and members of the district’s professional staff for their efforts in outstanding investigations, prosecutions, appellate advocacy and leadership over the last fiscal year. “Over the years, we have given out awards at our conference, but I wanted to put more of an emphasis on the awardees’ work this year with a luncheon. Every day, the men and women of this district have accepted the calling to show up and give the government an honest day’s work and it is incumbent upon upper management to celebrate them for their achievements. Likewise, law enforcement officers across the district have collaborated with us as partners to help keep our communities safe, hold those accountable who defraud the government and those who violate the civil rights of the citizens of this district,” said United States Attorney Brown. “Today’s awardees exemplify that it takes a team effort from our attorneys, professional staff and our law enforcement partners to support and defend the Constitution of the United States to the best of our ability.”
The following case related awards were announced by U.S. Attorney Brown:
Outstanding Appellate Award
Awarded to the following for outstanding appellate advocacy in the prosecution of United States v. William Holdman.
Recipients: Assistant United States Attorney Michael Shannon
Assistant United States Attorney Forrest Phillips
Legal Assistant Stephanie Stewart
Paralegal Specialist Lisa Alwert
Special Agent Brad Rabalais, U.S. Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Game Warden Kurt Hatten, LA Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Outstanding Affirmative Civil Enforcement Award
Awarded to the following for the investigative and prosecutive efforts in a civil action to recover government money lost to fraud and other misconduct in the matter of US ex rel Goodley, Acadiana Management Group, Lafayette Physical Rehabilitation Hospital & Dr. Carolyn Smith.
Recipients: Assistant United States Attorney Missy Theriot
Legal Assistant Tanya Trahan
Special Agent Rita Bergeron, Department of Health & Human Services
Outstanding Defensive Litigation Award
Awarded to the following for the civil defensive employment law litigation on behalf of the United States in the matter of Steven Katz v. Christine Wormuth.
Recipients: Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Frederick
Paralegal Specialist Terri Comeaux
Outstanding Civil Rights Prosecution Award
Awarded to the following for superior investigative and prosecutive performance in the hate crime related matter of United States v. Chance Seneca.
Recipients: Deputy Criminal Chief Myers Namie
Former Assistant United States Attorney Robert Abendroth
Legal Administrative Specialist Melissa Morris
Paralegal Specialist Jennifer Broussard
Special Agent Dan English (Ret.), Federal Bureau of Investigation
Outstanding Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force/Narcotics Prosecution Award
Awarded to the following for superior performance in the thwarting of drug/narcotics trafficking in the matter of United States v. Brian Broussard.
Recipients: Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Vermaelen
Paralegal Specialist Denise Duhon
Special Agent Doug Herman, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Special Agent Bobby Bodin, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
Outstanding Public Corruption Prosecution Award
Awarded to the following for an investigation revealing conduct that affected government integrity and/or offenses involving public official misconduct in the prosecution of United States v. Harold Wayne Sanford, Jr.
Recipients: Special Counsel to United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook
Legal Assistant Kristi Viola
Paralegal Specialist Emily Favrot
Legal Administrative Specialist Ginger Green
Legal Administrative Specialist Melissa Morris
Secretary to USA Tanya’ Porter
Victim Witness Coordinator Vicki Chance
Special Agent Raquel Mobley, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Outstanding Violent Crime/Domestic Terrorism Prosecution Award
Awarded to the following for outstanding performance in an investigation leading to the arrest and prosecution of an individual who committed acts of violent crime in the prosecution of United States v. Daniel Aikens.
Recipients: Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla Bynog
Assistant United States Attorney Daniel McCoy
Assistant United States Attorney LaDonte Murphy
Paralegal Specialist Emily Lanphier
Legal Administrative Specialist Melissa Morris
Victim Witness Coordinator Vicki Chance
Special Agent Theresa Mesa, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
Special Agent Andrew Erdmann, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
Outstanding White Collar Fraud Prosecution Award
Awarded to the following for outstanding performance in white collar crime involving bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion in the prosecution of United States v. Joseph Boswell.
Recipients: Assistant United States Attorney Cytheria Jernigan
Criminal Chief Earl Campbell
Paralegal Specialist Emily Lanphier
Legal Administrative Specialist Laura Borque
Victim Witness Coordinator Vicki Chance
Special Agent Cory Moton, Internal Revenue Service
Special Agent Holly Deshotel, Internal Revenue Service
Outstanding White Collar Fraud Prosecution Award
Awarded to the following for outstanding performance in white collar crime involving Cares Act (Covid-19) fraud in the prosecution of United States v. Michael A. Tolliver.
Recipients: Assistant United States Attorney Seth Reeg
Legal Assistant Kristi Viola
Special Agent Darrin Heusel, Internal Revenue Service.
Additional federal, state and local law enforcement officers were also recognized for overall exemplary performance in violent crime investigative efforts and they are as follows: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Special Agent Christina Curtis, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Travis Coyman, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Heath White, Deputies Steven Shankle and Erik Wikstrom of the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Brent Young of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Detective Anthony Cowan of the Monroe Police Department, and Shreveport Police Department officers/analysts Stacy Coleman, Sara Gilmour, Erin Heflin, Donald Henry and Brent Ouzts.
Lastly, in late 2022, US Attorney Brown convened a community advisory group called “Focusing on the Future” that U.S. Attorney Brown meets with on a monthly basis. This group will be recognized for their contributions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in an advisory role in terms of violent crime prevention strategies and civil rights awareness matters. Members of that group are: Mario Chavez, MersaTech; Dr. Jerome Cox, We Care Ministries Outreach Program; Dr. Lamar Goree, Caddo Parish Schools; Dr. John Henson, Church for the Highlands; Dr. Theron Jackson, Morning Star Baptist Church; Ms. Von Jennings, City of Shreveport; Rev. Lee Jeter, Bossier Parish NAACP; Mansfield Mayor Thomas Jones, Ms. Debbie Martin, Roberts & Murphy, Inc.; Dr. Russell Minor, Community Renewal; Dr. Heath Peloquin, Summer Grove Baptist Church; Oil City Mayor James Sims; Clay Walker, Caddo Parish Assistant Administrator; Billy Wayne, Urban Support Agency, Inc.; and Ryan Williams, Seedlinks Behavioral Management. “I have learned a great deal this year from this group, and they have educated me on ways prosecutors, law enforcement and the community can work together for the common good. Simultaneously, my goal was to educate the group on how the Department of Justice and our local district functions so that citizens will start to have a better understanding of what our purpose is and why we exist,” said U.S. Attorney Brown.
For more information on the Western District of Louisiana’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
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Possession of Methamphetamine Leads to Federal Prison Sentence of 22+ Years for Ethel ManRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Eric Martin, 36, of Ethel, Louisiana, was sentenced today for possession of methamphetamine announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced Martin to 274 months (22 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Martin was charged in an indictment in January 2023 with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to evidence presented to the court, on July 13, 2022, members of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding and the driver and lone occupant was identified as Martin. During the traffic stop, law enforcement officers observed the odor of marijuana emitting from inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Martin was questioned by officers. Martin admitted that marijuana could be located inside a blue backpack located on the front passenger seat of the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle was conducted, and officers located approximately 26 grams of marijuana on the front passenger seat. In addition, approximately 18 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine was found on the back seat of the vehicle, within the reach of Martin. A presumptive test of the suspected methamphetamine returned a positive result for the presence of methamphetamine. The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the DEA laboratory for testing and had a result indicating the substance had a net weight of 16.96 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Martin has a criminal history including convictions for negligent homicide and accessory after the fact to aggravated second degree battery.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaDonte A. Murphy and Craig R. Bordelon.
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Three Defendants Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearms and DrugsRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of three cases in the Lake Charles Division. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the following defendants yesterday:
Casey Soldier, 27, of Lake Charles, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for the unlawful shipment, transfer, receipt, or possession of firearm by a convicted felon. This charge stems from the discovery of 16 firearms, 3,350 rounds of various ammunition, and a dual drum magazine, all found in Soldier’s residence during the execution of a search warrant. In addition, law enforcement officers found and seized approximately 53 pounds of marijuana, 171 pounds of THC candy and edibles, 3.9 pounds of THC wax and oils, $25,284 in cash, and other documents from Soldier’s residence. During a search of Soldier’s truck which was parked outside of the residence, agents found an additional Glock 17, 9mm pistol. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) learned that the firearms all traveled in interstate commerce and operated as firearms. Soldier was a convicted felon and knew he was prohibited from having any firearm or ammunition in his possession. He pleaded guilty to the charge on May 22, 2023.
The case was investigated by the ATF and the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in Calcasieu Parish and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.
Dexter Oniel Mayes, 36, of Eunice, was sentenced to 140 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Mayes pleaded guilty on May 9, 2023, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. This charge stems from a traffic stop which was conducted on Mayes’ vehicle for a switched plates violation on May 18, 2019, as he was traveling from Houston to Louisiana. As officers approached the vehicle, they smelled the odor of marijuana and both Mayes and his passenger were detained while officers searched the vehicle. Inside the trunk were 12 ziploc bags containing suspected methamphetamine which weighed approximately 25 pounds. The narcotics were sent to the DEA Laboratory for analysis and were confirmed to contain methamphetamine with a total weight of 11,867 grams.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Eunice Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.
In another case, Harris J. Boudreaux, 43, was sentenced to 27 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On November 27, 2022, a U.S. Probation Officer made an unannounced contact visit at Boudreaux’s residence in Calcasieu Parish to monitor his compliance with his conditions of probation and to verify his residence. During the inspection, the Probation Officer observed a Glock 45 firearm in plain view on the coffee table in the living room. The Probation Officer secured the firearm and contacted 9-1-1 to have Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies arrive to arrest Boudreaux. He admitted to the Probation Officer that the firearm belonged to him. Boudreaux pleaded guilty on June 21, 2023, and admitted that he possessed the firearm knowing that he was prohibited from doing so because he was a convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the ATF, U.S. Probation Office, and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.
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Shreveport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of a Machine GunRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Tydarrien T. Porter, 21, of Shreveport, has been sentenced for possession of a machine gun, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Porter to 84 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to evidence presented to the court, on April 13, 2022, an officer with the Shreveport Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Porter. The officer observed Porter leaning down as if to place or reach for something under the driver’s seat. Another officer made contact with the other occupants of the vehicle on the passenger side and observed a firearm in the back seat between the legs of a male passenger in the back seat of the vehicle. Two females were also in the vehicle. The officer ordered the occupants to exit the vehicle and a search was conducted. Officers located a second firearm in front of where one of the female occupants was sitting. In addition, officers seized 23 grams of marijuana found under the driver’s seat. In all, three firearms were found and seized, a Joe Bob Outfitters AR pistol, a Draco pistol, and a Glock pistol. The Joe Bob Outfitters AR pistol was found to have a drop-in auto sear inserted inside, a device which converted the pistol into a machine gun.
Porter admitted to officers that the AR pistol and marijuana found inside the car belonged to him. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with possession of a machine gun and Porter pleaded guilty to the charge on April 3, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana recently notified the public through a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that there is a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to persons found with Glock switches, auto sears, or firearms containing either. This PSA can be viewed on the district’s YouTube page at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAICRba4034.
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Coercion of a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity Leads to 10 Year Federal Prison Sentence for New Orleans ManRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of Kentrell Knighten, 39, of New Orleans, for coercion of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Knighten to 121 months (10 years, 1 month) in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release.
On September 13, 2022, the friend of a 15-year-old female high school student (“minor victim”) observed Knighten texting the minor victim. Knighten was the boyfriend of the minor victim’s mother. According to the friend, in those text messages the defendant discussed the fact that he was inquiring how much he would have to pay her to have sex with one or more of his friends from another city in Louisiana.
The minor victim’s friend told the school counselor what she had observed, and law enforcement was contacted. Law enforcement agents were able to seize and search the minor victim’s cell phone pursuant to a search warrant and interviewed the minor victim. Specific text messages were found in the phone in which Knighten asked the minor victim how much she would charge to have sex with his friends in graphic terms. These messages occurred in September 2022. In the text messages, the minor victim expressed fear of being alone with other adults. The defendant assured her that he would be in the room and that she would get paid between $75-100. Knighten admitted to law enforcement agents that he texted with the victim and that he discussed the minor victim engaging in sexual acts with other adult men for money.
"We urge parents to be keenly aware of who they allow around their children and into their homes,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Child exploitation touches every corner of our community. This office will be vigilant in protecting our youth and prosecute all who try to disrupt the American family through criminal activity. We look forward to this defendant serving a lengthy prison sentence and an even longer period of court supervision once released.”
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Luke Walker.
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Former Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Correctional Officer Charged with Federal Civil Rights and Obstruction Offenses Involving Excessive Force IncidentRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal grand jury in Shreveport, Louisiana, has returned a three-count indictment charging former DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO) Correctional Officer Javarrea Pouncy with federal civil rights violations for willfully using unreasonable force against a detainee, failing to obtain medical care for the detainee and obstructing justice.
According to the indictment, on September 27, 2019, Pouncy, acting in his official capacity as a DPSO correctional officer, used unreasonable force against a detainee by repeatedly striking him in the head and body without legal justification while the detainee was being booked into the DeSoto Parish jail. The indictment further alleges that the assault caused bodily injury to the detainee. In addition, the indictment alleges that Pouncy knew that the detainee had serious medical needs and willfully failed to obtain necessary medical care for him.
The indictment also charges Pouncy with obstruction of justice for knowingly falsifying and making a false entry in a DPSO report with the intent to impede, obstruct and influence an investigation into the assault. Count one of the indictment charges Pouncy for his unreasonable use of force; count two charges Pouncy for his failure to obtain medical care; and count three charges him with filing the false report.
If convicted, Pouncy faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison each for counts one and two, and 20 years in prison for count three.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown for the Western District of Louisiana and Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office made the announcement. The FBI New Orleans Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Reeg for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Erin Monju of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Defendants Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking NarcoticsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Three defendants from Lafayette, Louisiana who were involved in an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation have been sentenced, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the following defendants:
Brandon Anderson, 30, was sentenced to 188 months (15 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on December 21, 2021, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Cord Anderson, 34, was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on May 30, 2023, and admitted to possessing at least 350 but not more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
Tory Phillips, 32, was sentenced to 88 months (7 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on December 21, 2021, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation resulted in a federal indictment against several defendants for conspiring together to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine in the Morgan City area. Law enforcement agents began an investigation in September 2019 into the drug trafficking activities of Anderson, Phillips, and their co-defendants. During the conspiracy, Brandon Anderson supplied heroin to his co-defendants who in turn sold the heroin for profit. Agents intercepted phone calls during the court-authorized intercepts on the phone of his co-defendant, Jhailen Zeno, and observed Anderson travel to narcotics transactions with Zeno. Anderson also set up narcotics transactions and traveled to conduct the transactions. Vehicles used in these narcotics transactions were a 2014 Audi and a 2014 Range Rover.
In October 2020, law enforcement agents learned that Anderson was in Houston, Texas and during that time he was receiving phone calls from individuals in Lafayette requesting a supply of narcotics. Agents obtained a warrant to search a residence in Lafayette that Anderson had been utilizing in his drug trafficking activities. On October 21, 2020, agents executed the search warrant and located the Audi A7, and Ranger Rover seen previously, as well as a 2015 Mercedes C300. Inside the trunk of the Mercedes agents found approximately 600 grams of cocaine and 500 grams of heroin. Anderson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 1 kilogram but less than 3 kilograms of heroin.
Through their investigation, agents learned that Phillips communicated with his co-conspirators about traveling to Houston with co-defendant Kendrick James. On June 29, 2020, agents conducted surveillance of Phillips’ vehicle and observed him arrive at a residence in Houston, stay for a few minutes, and leave. Law enforcement officers with the Sulphur Police Department stopped the vehicle belonging to Phillips and conducted a traffic stop after the driver committed a traffic infraction. Officers performed a probable cause search of the vehicle and a pat down search of Phillips and James and found a bag hidden in Phillips’ groin area. The bag contained a brown substance weighing approximately 20 grams. A field test was conducted, and the substance was identified as heroin. Phillips admitted to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
On March 10, 2020, law enforcement agents received information of an individual found in a vehicle stuck in a ditch. Agents responded and found Cord Anderson to be asleep inside the vehicle. He woke and attempted to flee from law enforcement but was apprehended. Inside the vehicle, agents found approximately 414 grams of a substance which was tested to be methamphetamine.
Five other defendants have already been sentenced in this case as follows:
Jhailen Zeno, of 27, of Lafayette, received a sentence of 85 months (7 years, 1 month) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin.
Jerrick Williams was sentenced to 8 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
William Williams was sentenced to 70 months (5 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Randy Dugas was sentenced to 8 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Ericka Guidry was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Kendrick James is the only remaining defendant to be sentenced. His sentencing has been scheduled for October 31, 2023.
The case was investigated by the FBI, DEA, ATF, Sulphur Police Department and Lafayette Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.
The investigation and conviction of these defendants is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Former Shreveport Police Department Lieutenant Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Overtime Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown has announced the return of an indictment by a federal grand jury in Shreveport charging a former Shreveport Police Department Lieutenant with wire fraud.
Jeffrey L. Peters, 55, of Shreveport, was indicted and charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud. The indictment alleges that on or about January 6, 2020, and continuing through at least January 19, 2021, Peters and others knowingly conspired to defraud the City of Shreveport out of funds which were designated to pay Shreveport Police Department (SPD) officers. It is alleged that Peters claimed overtime for which he had not worked and received payments for unworked overtime under the Community-Based Crime Reduction Program (CBCR).
According to the indictment, Peters and a fellow SPD officer fraudulently obtained these monies by creating and submitting falsified Reports of Overtime to the SPD. These falsified reports stated that Peters had worked overtime hours for the SPD. Officer 1 would also submit falsified Reports of Overtime to the SPD which Peters would approve as his supervisor. As part of the scheme, Peters also created and submitted Activity Reports to the SPD which falsely claimed that Peters and Officer 1 were working assignments together in Shreveport’s Police District 3, which was located in downtown Shreveport and the surrounding area, which area included the SPD Headquarters. It is alleged that Peters himself submitted in excess of fifty (50) false reports of overtime.
The indictment further alleges that while Peters was claiming overtime in District 3, he was actually not working and was instead at various bars and restaurants in Shreveport and Bossier. These establishments were all located outside District 3.
The CBCR is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice and seeks to reduce crime and improve community safety in distressed, high-crime neighborhoods. As part of the program, CBCR awards grants to local and tribal communities to be used for, among other things, overtime for police officers. Officers at SPD were entitled to collect 1.5 times their regular rate of pay under the CBCR.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, Peters faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice-Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg.
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U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown and Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart, Sr. Announce the Appointment of Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in ShreveportRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the appointment of Jason Waltman to serve as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. This appointment is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office in the Shreveport Division of the Western District of Louisiana.
Due to the proliferation of gang and gun violence in the Shreveport area, U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown and Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart, Sr. have joined efforts in a unique way to fight violent crime in that area by adding a specially appointed federal prosecutor to work these types of cases. The goal is for Mr. Waltman to partner as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney with the district’s Project Safe Neighborhood Program and other Assistant U.S. Attorneys to improve the program’s effectiveness in the northwest corner of the district.
“Collaboration with our state and local law enforcement and prosecutive partners is vital. For years, we have had a great partnership with the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office, but we want to take our collaborative efforts the next level. I am grateful that District Attorney Stewart is willing to share such a skilled and talented Assistant District Attorney with our office as we jointly fight to eradicate violent crime in Shreveport,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “SAUSA Jason Waltman is an extremely experienced and knowledgeable prosecutor and knows the federal court system, given he was a former federal criminal defense attorney. Over the years, he has developed a great working relationship with our Assistant U.S. Attorneys, federal agents and task force officers, and will give us valuable insight when it comes to charging decisions and prosecutive strategy.”
“This is another example of our cooperative efforts of how we work together to serve the people of the community,” stated Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart, Sr.
Jason Waltman has worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the First Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish since 2016, where he serves as one of the office’s Section Chiefs in the Criminal Division. Prior to working at the District Attorney’s Office, SAUSA Waltman worked as a Trial Attorney with the Capital Assistance Project of Louisiana, and in private practice handling criminal, civil, and administrative law. SAUSA Waltman also previously served as an Instructor at the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Training Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Baylor University and a Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law.
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Many, LA Man Sentenced to 12+ Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – John Michael Murphy, 36, of Many, Louisiana, was sentenced today for trafficking methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Murphy to 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Murphy was charged in an indictment on June 15, 2022, with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine stemming from an investigation by law enforcement agents working in the Many, Louisiana area. Officers with the Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team conducted an undercover purchase of 60 grams of methamphetamine from Murphy prior to November 2021 and were aware of his drug trafficking activities. Agents received information that Murphy would be traveling to get more methamphetamine and they began conducting surveillance of the vehicle in which Murphy was a passenger. As they were following Murphy, agents lost him and requested assistance from other officers in the area to assist in locating the vehicle.
On November 16, 2021, a Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy observed the vehicle traveling on La. Highway 6 and recognized the female driver who he knew to have an expired driver’s license. The deputy activated his emergency overhead lights and initiated a traffic stop. Both the female driver and Murphy stepped out of the car and the female driver gave deputies consent to search the vehicle. Deputies conducted a pat down search of Murphy and found a large bag between his legs containing a substance suspected to be methamphetamine. The drugs were seized, and Murphy was arrested. The suspected drugs were sent to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Crime Lab for analysis and confirmed to be approximately 136.72 grams of methamphetamine. Murphy pleaded guilty on April 11, 2023 to possessing a total of 158.35 grams of methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the FBI, DEA, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick.
The investigation and conviction of Murphy is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Vivian Man Receives Lengthy Federal Prison Sentence for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing a Vivian man today for illegal possession of narcotics. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Michael Duncan, 46, to 262 months (21 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
On August 10, 2022, law enforcement officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed search warrants on two residences in Vivian, both of which were rented by Duncan. The search warrants had been obtained after law enforcement agents received direct evidence that Duncan had supplied methamphetamine that was sold undercover on three occasions in July and August 2022. Agents had been able to seize the methamphetamine which had been supplied by Duncan and then sold, and sent it to the crime lab for analysis. The crime lab confirmed that the substance was in fact methamphetamine.
During the execution of the search warrants at Duncan’s two residences, agents located a large amount of methamphetamine inside the oven in one house. In the second residence, they seized a backpack from the master bedroom which contained suspected powder cocaine, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine tablets. Agents also seized over $5,000 in U.S. Currency. The suspected narcotics were all sent to the crime lab for analysis and confirmed to be authentic.
Duncan pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on November 4, 2022.
The case was investigated by the DEA and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.
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Three Shreveport Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of Narcotics and FirearmsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Three Shreveport, Louisiana men have been sentenced for illegal possession of narcotics and firearms, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote conducted these sentencing hearings.
Tremaine Zyshun Russell, 28, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release. According to evidence presented to the court, officers with the Shreveport Police Department observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on February 24, 2022, around 4 a.m. and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle was being driven by a female and Russell was in the passenger seat. The officer detected the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and the driver and passenger were asked to step outside the car. The officer was given consent by the female driver to search the vehicle and inside he found a Glock firearm with an extended magazine and a Glock switch (a conversion device) attached. Behind the driver’s seat was a backpack containing two digital scales, marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and two Adderall pills. After being read his Miranda rights, Russell admitted that the backpack, narcotics, and firearm belonged to him.
The seized narcotics were sent to the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory and confirmed to be 125 grams of marijuana, 14.92 grams of methamphetamine, and 6.35 grams of cocaine. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined and tested the firearm and found it to be a functioning firearm which had been manufactured in Austria and traveled in interstate commerce. Russell pleaded guilty on May 3, 2023, to possession with intent to distribute over 5 grams of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and illegal possession of a machine gun. He was previously convicted of illegal possession of stolen things in 2019 and knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.
In a separate case, Christian D. Price, 20, and Devon Charles Price, 23, brothers who lived in Shreveport, were sentenced yesterday. Christian Price was sentenced to 33 months in prison, and Devon Charles Price was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Both will serve 3 years of supervised release following their release from prison. The charges in this case stem from a visit to their residence by Louisiana Probation and Parole agents in June 2021 for a routine residence check. Upon entering the residence, agents found that Christian Price had a Glock Model 19X semiautomatic pistol loaded with 29 rounds in an extended magazine in his bedroom, as well as a 50-round drum magazine underneath his bed. While checking Devon Price’s bedroom, agents found a small bag of suspected marijuana and other small baggies commonly used in the drug trade. In addition, they discovered a Glock Model 27 .40 caliber pistol which was chambered with one round and had 13 rounds loaded in the magazine.
Both brothers had prior felony convictions which prohibited them from having a firearm or ammunition. Christian Price has a felony conviction for attempted aggravated burglary and Devon Price has a felony conviction for theft of motor vehicles and illegal possession of stolen firearms. Both defendants pleaded guilty to one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and admitted to knowing they were prohibited from possessing said firearms and ammunition. Agents with the ATF examined and tested the firearms and determined they were functioning firearms which had traveled in interstate commerce.
The case was investigated by the ATF and Louisiana Probation and Parole and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.
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Four South Louisiana Men Sentenced for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of several cases involving the illegal possession of firearms. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the following individuals:
Devin Blake Badon, 31, of Cameron, Louisiana, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Badon pleaded guilty on April 19, 2023 to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. A complaint was received by the Johnson Bayou Police Department about a female whose vehicle was being followed by Badon. Deputies arrived on the scene and contacted Badon, who was non-compliant with their commands and he was subsequently placed under arrest. Inside Badon’s vehicle, deputies located three firearms. At the time of his arrest, Badon had three felony convictions, including simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, negligent homicide and criminal damage to property. As a convicted felon, Badon was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Johnson Bayou Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.
Demetrius Jerone Davis, 39, of Abbeville, was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Davis pleaded guilty on October 17, 2022 to possession of a stolen firearm. On January 29, 2021, deputies with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop a vehicle being driven by Davis. Davis advised deputies that he had a firearm under the driver’s seat. The firearm was seized and identified as a SCCY Model CPX-9 9mm pistol which contained 15 rounds of ammunition and had been reported stolen. Davis admitted to knowing the firearm was stolen and that he possessed the firearm in connection with a felony level controlled substance offense. Davis also admitted to committing the offense after having been previously convicted of felony offenses for distribution of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, both in 2005, and distribution of cocaine in 2008.
The case was investigated by the ATF and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.
Mark Edward Fee, 43, of Sulphur, was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. On October 8, 2021, investigators with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Fee’s residence where he was the sole occupant. Deputies found a Hi-Point Model C9 9mm semi-automatic pistol, along with several rounds of ammunition inside the residence. Law enforcement officers learned that the firearm had been reported stolen. Agents with the ATF analyzed the seized firearm and found it be a functioning firearm which had traveled in or affected interstate and foreign commerce. Fee was arrested and charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted to agents that he was aware that the firearm and ammunition were in his residence and knew he was prohibited from possessing them. Fee pleaded guilty to the chare on April 19, 2023.
The case was investigated by the ATF and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker.
Javeon Jaron Green, 22, of Lake Charles, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. In November 2020, an arrest warrant was issued for Green based on information investigators with the Lake Charles Police Department and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office had learned through their investigative efforts. On November 28, 2020, officers located Green and other associates in a hotel in Lake Charles. A search warrant was obtained and executed on the hotel rooms rented by Green and his associates. Law enforcement agents found a loaded FNX .45 caliber pistol, a loaded 9mm Glock Model 19 with extended magazine, and a loaded .45 caliber Glock Model 23C pistol. Other evidence was obtained by agents revealing photos and videos of Green possessing the handguns recovered from the hotel room and the metadata indicated they were taken on a date after Green’s prior felony conviction. Green was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in 2019 in Calcasieu Parish.
The case was investigated by the ATF, Lake Charles Police Department, and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Vermaelen.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Five Defendants Sentenced to Federal Prison for Their Involvement in Drug Trafficking and Firearms CasesRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of five men yesterday in the Western District of Louisiana for drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the following defendants:
Monta L. Allen, 37, of Monroe, was sentenced to 216 months (18 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On January 23, 2021, officers with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop the vehicle Allen was driving for a traffic violation. Allen fled from deputies and led them on a high-speed chase and was ultimately stopped. Deputies arrested Allen and seized a white plastic bag from the vehicle which contained more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. A search warrant was obtained for Allen’s residence in Monroe and law enforcement agents found a firearm, ammunition, more narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and cash. Allen later admitted to agents that he used methamphetamine and that the package found in his vehicle was his and he intended to sell it.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Weber.
John S. Lee, 41, of Tallulah, was sentenced to 120 months (10 years), followed by 3 years of supervised release. Lee pleaded guilty April 26, 2023, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. These charges stem from an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Lee. During the investigation by law enforcement agents, they were able to obtain a state search warrant for Lee’s residence and on March 17, 2022, executed that warrant. Prior to execution of the warrant, agents conducted surveillance of Lee’s residence and observed him and a female leave in separate vehicles. Both vehicles were stopped by law enforcement agents and a search of the female’s vehicle revealed a backpack containing over $10,000 in cash, two firearms, and approximately four kilograms of powder cocaine. A search of the residence resulted in the discovery of approximately 38 grams of cocaine. Lee admitted to agents that the backpack in the female’s trunk belonged to him and that he had asked her to put the items in her car. He also admitted to knowing that as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing any firearms.
The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, Louisiana State Police and Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.
Rawtavious Demon Moore, 36, of Monroe, was sentenced to 132 months (11 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On September 4, 2022, an officer with the Monroe Police Department approached Moore while he was sitting in his vehicle. The officer asked Moore to step out of the vehicle and the officer found a loaded Smith and Wesson Model 637 .38 caliber firearm inside. Agents with the ATF examined the firearm and found it be a functioning firearm and determined it had traveled in interstate commerce. Moore was a convicted felon, having previously been convicted of possession with intent to distribute MDMA in 2021, and knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The case was investigated by the ATF and Monroe Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.
Darrick Laron Hamilton, 33, of Monroe, was sentenced to 96 months (8 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl. In April of 2022, law enforcement agents with the Metro Narcotics Unit in Monroe began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Hamilton. Agents obtained evidence that Hamilton met an individual and sold and distributed approximately 5.5 grams of a substance that contained fentanyl to that party. The substance was sent to the North Louisiana Crime Lab for testing and confirmed the seized substance to contain fentanyl.
The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and Monroe Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.
Derrick Logwood, 23, of Monroe, was sentenced to 62 months (5 years, 2 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Logwood pleaded guilty on April 26, 2023, to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On December 21, 2022, an officer with the West Monroe Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle which was being driven without working brake lights and other violations. The driver and sole occupant was identified as Logwood. The officer observed the grip of a pistol sticking out of Logwood’s pants pocket and he was ordered out of the vehicle. Officers seized a loaded Glock 23Gen5 .40 caliber pistol from Logwood’s pocket. In addition, officers detected the smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and Logwood admitted to having marijuana in a backpack on the back seat. Inside the backpack officers found three large plastic bags of suspected marijuana and a digital scale. The substance was sent to the crime lab for testing and confirmed to be marijuana with an aggregate weight of 2.00 pounds. Logwood had a previous felony conviction of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling in 2019 and knew that he was prohibited from having any firearm or ammunition.
The case was investigated by the ATF and West Monroe Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.
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Illegal Possession of Methamphetamine Sends Houston Man to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing today of a Houston man for illegal possession of methamphetamine in the Western District of Louisiana. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Paul Powell, 29, to 135 months (11 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Powell pleaded guilty to the charge on April 21, 2023.
On September 4, 2019, law enforcement agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office observed a black Mercedes Benz being driven on the roadway without two working headlights as required by state law. The driver of the Mercedes was later determined to be Powell. Agents observed the vehicle stop at a residence and Powell went inside for a brief time, then returned to the vehicle. Law enforcement agents activated their lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but Powell refused to stop and began to flee from agents traveling at a high rate of speed. Powell continued to flee and when arriving on Elephant Walk Road in Lafayette, exited the vehicle, along with an unknown passenger and they fled on foot running through several yards and jumping several fences. Powell was apprehended and placed in handcuffs. A probable cause search was conducted of his vehicle and agents located a digital scale and a bag containing methamphetamine. Law enforcement agents questioned Powell the next day and he admitted that the methamphetamine belonged to him.
The suspected narcotics were sent to the DEA Laboratory for analysis, and it was determined that the substance was positive for methamphetamine and had a net weight of 210 grams plus or minus 0.2 grams.
The case was investigated by the DEA and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.
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Illegal Possession of Drugs and Firearm Results in Hefty Sentence for Shreveport ManRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of Odis Freeman, 36, of Shreveport today. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Freeman to 102 months (8 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for illegal possession of drugs and a firearm. Freeman pleaded guilty on March 15, 2023 to one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to information introduced in court, officers with the Shreveport Police Department found Freeman in his vehicle in possession of a cigar with suspected marijuana on the center console of his vehicle, as well as a loaded Glock magazine inside the center console, a Glock, Model 30, .45 caliber pistol with an extended magazine under the driver’s side floor mat, a bag on the passenger seat which contained several suspected bags of marijuana, and another bag with packaging materials, a loaded extended magazine, and a sandwich bag full of suspected marijuana. Officers also found over $3,900 in cash in Freeman’s vehicle.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Freeman spoke with the officers and admitted that he had additional marijuana inside his residence and a search was conducted. Officers recovered approximately 365 grams of suspected marijuana, approximately 28.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and two dosage units of alprazolam. In addition, Freeman had packaging materials used for distributing narcotics, five .45 caliber shell casings, and a digital scale with marijuana residue on it.
The seized narcotics were sent to the North Louisiana Crime Lab for testing and the suspected marijuana was confirmed. The suspected methamphetamine was determined to be substituted cathinone, a Schedule I controlled substance. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) examined the firearm and determined it was a functioning firearm.
The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.
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Shreveport Man Sent to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Machine GunRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Cartavious Cursshuan Pouncy, 21, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Pouncy to 20 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for illegal possession of a machine gun. Pouncy pleaded guilty to the charge on March 16, 2023.
Shreveport Police Department officers stopped a Dodge Challenger with no tags near the intersection of Hearne Avenue and Corbitt Street on May 15, 2022. Pouncy was driving the Dodge Challenger and two other individuals were inside. Officers detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and all of the occupants were asked to exit the vehicle. Pouncy was asked if there were narcotics or firearms inside the vehicle and he initially stated there were not. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and officers did in fact locate a Panther Arms AR Pistol, Model: DPMS, with two magazines, loaded with 63 rounds of ammunition behind the driver’s seat. Pouncy admitted post-Miranda that the firearm belonged to him, and he had purchased it a few days prior.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined the firearm and discovered that it had a drop-in auto sear, a conversion device, inserted inside to make it a fully automatic machine gun. A record search was conducted of the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) and Pouncy had not registered the Panther Arms AR Pistol or any other weapon.
The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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South Louisiana Man Sentenced for CounterfeitingRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Gabriel Bates, 33, of Opelousas, Louisiana, was sentenced today for counterfeiting, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced Bates to 26 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Bates pleaded guilty to the charge on April 12, 2023.
According to evidence presented to the court, on or about August 24, 2022, officers with the Opelousas Police Department responded to a local donut shop to investigate the reported passing of a suspected counterfeit $20 bill. Through their investigation, law enforcement officers determined that Bates was the individual who passed the counterfeit bill. The United States Secret Service had conducted a separate counterfeit investigation prior to this incident in which Bates was developed as a suspect. Agents were able to secure a search warrant for his residence in Opelousas. On August 29, 2022, officers searched the residence and located and seized numerous counterfeit United States Federal Reserve Notes in denominations of $20 and $100. Bates was subsequently arrested and found to have an additional counterfeit $20 bill and handwritten instructions for manufacturing counterfeit currency in his pocket. The Federal Reserve Notes recovered from Bates’ residence were analyzed and determined to be in fact not genuine.
Bates was interviewed by law enforcement agents after waiving his Miranda rights and admitted that he did manufacture counterfeit United States money and passed those counterfeit notes that he had made in several locations throughout the Opelousas area in an attempt to defraud.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and Opelousas Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.
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