Western District of Louisiana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Regional Counterdrug Training Academy Recognizes Training Efforts of Law Enforcement Coordination Committee in Western District of LouisianaRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown joins the Regional Counterdrug Training Academy (RCTA) in announcing that Louisiana led the nation in the number of law enforcement officers trained by the RCTA in 2022. The RCTA is a military and law enforcement training group based in Meridian, Mississippi, that receives Congressional funding to provide training to law enforcement officers across the nation, but primarily in the southeast states, throughout the year. Instructors with RCTA travel to various sites to conduct training on subjects such as narcotics, interview and interrogation, vehicle interdiction, search and arrest warrants, peer support, and officer survival.
The Law Enforcement Coordination Committee (LECC) for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Louisiana, which is led by Law Enforcement Coordinator Alan Alkire, works with RCTA to arrange and facilitate those training classes for state, local, and federal law enforcement officers in the Western District of Louisiana, including Shreveport, Lafayette, Monroe, Alexandria and Lake Charles.
At their annual Board Meeting last week, RCTA announced the training statistics for 2022 and there were 1,390 officers who received this federally funded training in Louisiana, by far surpassing those who received training in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District was commended for being the primary catalyst to the large number of officers trained in Louisiana compared to the other states.
“Training is essential for our law enforcement officers,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Congress gives funding to entities such as RCTA to provide these training classes and it is vital to the continued development for these officers. It is important to me and this office that we are able to continue to facilitate this law enforcement training for state, local, and federal agencies, and I commend the hard work of LEC Alan Alkire and his dedication to this program.”
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Several Defendants Sentenced for Drug Trafficking and Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that four defendants were sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty in four separate cases involving drug trafficking and firearms charges.
Leslie Jason Fulwiler, 50, of West Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On or about January 28, 2021, Fulwiler pawned two firearms in Minden, Louisiana. Just one day later, Fulwiler went back to the pawn shop to try and retrieve the firearms he had pawned but could not do so due to the fact that he is a convicted felon. Further investigation by agents with the West Monroe Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) revealed that the firearms Fulwiler had pawned were in fact stolen. Fulwiler has prior felony convictions for possession of methamphetamine and burglary and knew that he could not possess a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon. The case was prosecuted by the ATF and West Monroe Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick.
Dantrell Rayshon Marshall, 23, of Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on firearms charges. On August 31, 2022, deputies with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for having an expired Louisiana temporary license tag. When deputies approached the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside and asked both the driver and passenger, who was later identified as Marshall, out of the vehicle. They consented to a search of the vehicle and deputies discovered approximately 42 grams of suspected marijuana and a Springfield Armory 9mm firearm loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition partially protruding from the front passenger seat. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined that the firearm was operational and had traveled through interstate commerce. Marshall was indicted September 28, 2022 and charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty to the charge November 21, 2022. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ATF, and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath.
Keith Jerome Mosley, 50, of Edwards, Mississippi, was sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into drug trafficking activities in Tensas Parish, Louisiana. On or about September 8, 2020, troopers with the Louisiana State Police stopped the vehicle Mosley was driving after learning that he had agreed to sell methamphetamine to an individual. Law enforcement officers found a plastic bag hidden in the vehicle which contained not less than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Mosley pleaded guilty to the charge on November 21, 2022. The case was investigated by the DEA and Louisiana State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.
Adrian Dion Coleman, 24, of Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Coleman pleaded guilty October 31, 2022 to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. These charges stemmed from a traffic stop conducted on January 18, 2021 by officers with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office in which Coleman was a passenger in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a Taurus 9mm pistol on the seat of the car where Coleman had been sitting. Coleman also had 12 individual clear bags of marijuana on his person, containing a total of 48 grams. Coleman admitted the drugs and firearm were his. The firearm was tested by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and it was determined that the firearm was operational and had traveled through interstate commerce. The case was investigated by the ATF and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Weber.
“The sentences handed down in each of these cases are the result of outstanding work and coordination between our federal and local law enforcement agencies in the Monroe area,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “We will continue working together with these law enforcement agencies to make the streets of Monroe safer.”
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Federal Jury Convicts West Monroe Man of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – A federal jury in Monroe returned a guilty verdict late yesterday afternoon convicting Paul Anthony Lewis, 50, of West Monroe, on numerous drug trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge David C. Joseph presided over the trial.
According to evidence presented at trial, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Metro Narcotics Unit of Ouachita Parish began an investigation into the suspected drug trafficking activities of Lewis. While conducting surveillance of Lewis’ stash house, agents observed large packages that were delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to that address. A subsequent search of the house revealed large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base also known as crack cocaine, and promethazine in the house. Testimony at trial revealed that Lewis used his telephone to negotiate drug trafficking transactions with unindicted co-conspirators in Texas and in the Western District of Louisiana.
“This defendant was a trafficker of almost any type of illicit substance he could get his hands on, with ‘was’ being the operative word here,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This jury verdict ensures that the citizens of Ouachita Parish will not have to worry about Mr. Lewis’ drug dealing for many years. Lastly, it is a priority in this district that there will be zero tolerance here for the trafficking of fentanyl.”
Lewis faces a sentence ranging from 10 years to life in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing will be set by the court at a later date.
The case was investigated by the DEA, Metro Narcotics Unit of Ouachita Parish, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Gaskins and Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney.
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Man Convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor on Fort Polk Sentenced to 50 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Bobby Joe Mincey, 30, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell for sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12. Mincey was sentenced to 50 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
A federal jury in Alexandria convicted Mincey of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12 on September 9, 2022, following a trial. Evidence introduced at the trial established that in December 2019, Mincey was living with his wife, who was a soldier in the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. During this time, Mincey and his wife at the time and her two minor daughters were living in Base Housing at Fort Polk. On December 6, 2019, the two stepdaughters of Mincey, who were ages 6 and 9 at the time, confided to their mother that Mincey had been sexually abusing them. The mother immediately contacted the Fort Polk Military Police and reported the allegations made by her daughters. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began an investigation into the allegations and interviewed both of the female minor victims about the incidents that had taken place. As a result of their investigation, Mincey was indicted in May 2021 and charged with aggravated sexual abuse. The minor victims testified at trial about the sexual abuse that they suffered as a result of Mincey’s actions.
“The 50-year sentence handed down today in U.S. District Court sends a clear message that those who take advantage of others by sexually abusing them will lead to strong punishment for their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The minor victims in this case did nothing to deserve the abuse inflicted on them by this defendant and we applaud their bravery. This conviction and lengthy sentence are the result of the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agents with the FBI and the U.S. Army, Criminal Investigation Division.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and U.S. Army, Criminal Investigation Division, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Luke Walker and LaDonte A. Murphy.
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Lafayette Man Sentenced for Possessing Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Bernell George, 39, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced today for possession of a stolen firearm, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced George to 115 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
George pleaded guilty November 10, 2022, to a bill of information charging him with one count of possession of a stolen firearm. The charge stems from an incident on September 20, 2017, when George was found in possession of 15.7 grams of marijuana, a hand rolled cigarette containing marijuana, and a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun with 11 rounds of ammunition in the magazine. Through their investigation, law enforcement officers learned that the firearm was stolen out of Iberia Parish. George admitted to possessing the marijuana and buying the stolen firearm off the street.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lafayette Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.
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Shreveport Man on Supervised Release for Previous Federal Conviction Sentenced for Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Charles M. Thomas, 26, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and for violating the terms of his federal supervised release, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Thomas to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release on the firearms charge.
Thomas was indicted in March 2022 and charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and pleaded guilty to the charge on August 4, 2022. The charge stems from an incident which occurred on March 7, 2022, when officers with the Shreveport Police Department arrested Thomas for domestic violence. Further investigation by law enforcement agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led to the discovery of video evidence of Thomas being in possession of a firearm. Agents knew that Thomas had previously been convicted in the Western District of Louisiana in 2018 for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and at the time of this arrest for domestic violence, was on supervised release for that conviction. During a search of the apartment where Thomas was staying, agents discovered a bag containing .223 and 5.56 caliber ammunition which belonged to Thomas. The ammunition was compatible with the firearm that Thomas was seen holding in the video. In addition, agents found in the apartment the same sweatpants that Thomas was wearing in the video. Thomas has a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault with a firearm (2015) and the prior felon in possession of a firearm conviction (2018) in the Western District of Louisiana.
Thomas was found to be in violation of his federal supervised release, and he was sentenced to an additional 14 months in prison to run consecutive with the above sentence.
The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg.
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Man Convicted of Distributing Methamphetamine Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Ronnie K. Hongo, Jr., 43, of Many, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 180 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug and firearms charges.
According to evidence presented to the court, on or about March 19, 2021, the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence in Many, Louisiana where Hongo lived. Law enforcement agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office had information that Hongo had been selling methamphetamine to others. During the execution of the search warrant, deputies discovered 369 grams of methamphetamine and a .45 caliber pistol inside the home. Hongo was present at the home at the time of the search, and he was subsequently arrested. Following his arrest, Hongo confessed to possession of the narcotics and firearm. Additional investigation by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) revealed that the firearm had traveled in interstate commerce and functioned as designed. Hongo pleaded guilty on October 5, 2022 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of carrying and using a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
The case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.
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Couple from Lafayette Sentenced for Possession of Illegal Drugs and FirearmRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two defendants in federal court. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Brian Broussard and Shalla Adams, both of Lafayette, for possession of illegal drugs and a firearm. Broussard and Adams were both charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Lafayette in June 2021.
Broussard, 34, was sentenced to 162 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, to include fentanyl. Shalla Adams, 35, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of an unregistered silencer.
These charges were the result of an investigation by agents into information they received about drug trafficking activities in the Lafayette area. With the assistance of local law enforcement, multiple search warrants were executed on May 12, 2021 on properties connected to Broussard and his co-defendant, Adams. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and other local law enforcement agencies, executed search warrants on properties and vehicles connected to Broussard and Adams. During the search of the residences, agents discovered a Romarm AK-47 style semi-automatic rifle, a Glock 9mm pistol, a Taurus pistol, a silencer, fentanyl, and other drug paraphernalia associated with the distribution of narcotics. Broussard was stopped by law enforcement officers after leaving one of the residences being searched and was found to have a Glock pistol in his vehicle with a mechanical modification switch that allowed the firearm to be fully automatic. Broussard pleaded guilty on November 21, 2022.
During the search of Adams’ residence on that same day, agents located a Glock 9mm pistol with a fully loaded 31 round magazine and another fully loaded magazine which contained 11 rounds of ammunition. In addition, agents located a firearm silencer which they learned was not registered as required pursuant to the National Firearms Act. Adams pleaded guilty on November 10, 2022.
This case was investigated by the DEA, FBI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Combined Anti-Drug Task Force and Lafayette Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.
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Morgan City Woman Convicted by Lafayette Jury of Conspiracy to Commit Wire FraudRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Karen Hawkins Gier, 53, of Morgan City, Louisiana, was convicted yesterday afternoon by a federal jury of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. presided over the trial this week.
Gier was charged in an indictment in November 2021 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with fraudulently applying for disaster benefits from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
In August 2016, severe flooding impacted south Louisiana and a Presidential disaster declaration was issued on August 14, 2016 under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The incident period covered August 11, 2016 through August 31, 2016. FEMA was authorized to provide transportation assistance for repair or replacement of a primary vehicle damaged by the disaster.
Between August 11, 2016 and March 30, 2017, Gier, acting in concert with others, made false statements and representations to FEMA in applications for transportation benefits and submitted fake invoices from non-existent mechanic shops. Gier’s false representations to FEMA included lying about vehicles being flooded when they were not, and lying about the location of the vehicles being in a disaster area, when in fact they were not. Gier also included fake mechanic shop invoices in the applications to FEMA showing repair estimates that were completely made up by her and other co-conspirators. FEMA disbursed benefits for these alleged damages to the claimants who would then pay a portion of those funds to Gier as a kickback for submitting their fraudulent applications.
Gier faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing for Gier is scheduled for June 29, 2023.
A co-defendant in this case, Justin Maurice Hawkins, pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information charging him with one count of theft of government funds. Hawkins is scheduled to be sentenced May 4, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren L. Gardner and J. Luke Walker.
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Federal Jury Returns Guilty Verdict Against Sabine Parish Man for Making ThreatsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal jury has returned guilty verdicts against Aaron Wade Knight, 31, of Noble, Louisiana, on two counts of making threats of violence against employees with the Sabine Medical Center (SMC) and the Veterans Administration (VA). United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the trial.
The two counts in this case stem from incidents which both occurred on June 1, 2022, when Knight made threats of violence against employees of the SMC in Many, Louisiana, and the VA in Shreveport and Alexandria. The first incident occurred in the morning hours of June 1 when Knight, who was living in Virginia at the time, called the VA hot line in Alexandria and spoke to a nurse who was working the call center. Knight proceeded to tell the nurse that he was upset about a bill he had received for a hospital visit a few weeks earlier at the SMC. As the conversation continued, Knight became more agitated and made the comment to her, “What do I need to do, do I need to blow up this place to get some help?” Out of concern about the threatening comments Knight made to her, the nurse contacted a patient advocate with the VA in Shreveport who had worked with Knight before.
The patient advocate then contacted Knight out of concern about the comments he had made moments earlier to the nurse. During the phone call, Knight became angry with the patient advocate and began to shout and made the following threatening statement to her, “do I need to go up there and shoot these motherf****rs in the f***ing face.”
Knight faces up to 5 years in prison for each count, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for June 26, 2023, at 1:15 p.m.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Many Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Andrew Weber.
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Three Men from Lake Charles Area Sentenced for Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of three defendants for illegally possessing firearms. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the three men yesterday in United States District Court.
Paul Wilson, 49, of Lake Arthur, Louisiana, was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On November 30, 2019, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene of a reported shooting of a dog. During their investigation, deputies learned that Wilson had come to the victim’s residence and shot his dog. Wilson was still on the scene when deputies arrived, and they found him to be in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol. On another occasion in May 2020, Wilson was also found to be in possession of a Hi-Point .45 caliber pistol. Wilson has a prior felony conviction for aggravated battery and is prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. He was charged in an indictment and pleaded guilty on September 15, 2022. This case was investigated by the ATF and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.
Robert Joubert, 38, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. In this case, officers with the Lake Charles Police Department were flagged down in reference to an abandoned vehicle and a disturbance between Joubert and his girlfriend. Joubert and his girlfriend had left the scene. Officers began a search for the suspects and located them walking a few blocks away. Joubert was carrying a camo-colored backpack and was given a verbal command to stop but continued to walk away from officers. The officer observed him throw an item under a nearby residence which was later determined to be a marijuana blunt. Joubert was detained and admitted to throwing his backpack in a nearby trash can. Officers found synthetic marijuana inside the backpack, as well as Ecstasy, a digital scale and a firearm. Joubert has three prior felony convictions for possession of controlled substances, and possession of a weapon while in possession of a controlled substance. Joubert pleaded guilty on October 26, 2022. This case was investigated by the ATF and the Lake Charles Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.
Brian W. Chappell, 58, of LaPlace, Louisiana, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of firearms. Chappell was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of a firearm without a serial number. Chappell pleaded guilty to the charges October 5, 2022. On September 29, 2021, a tow truck being driven by Chappell was stopped by officers with the Leesville Police Department. A search warrant was obtained and officers with the Leesville and deputies with the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office searched Chappell’s vehicle. During their search, officers found several firearms and three firearm suppressors. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined the suppressors and found them to be contain the same parts as a silencer. Chappell admitted to owning the silencers and had not registered them with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required. This case was investigated by the ATF and the Leesville Police Department and Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.
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Texas Man Transporting Cocaine Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Emilio Rodriguez, 28, from Channelview, Texas, was sentenced today for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Rodriguez was sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to evidence presented to the court, on November 17, 2021, a Louisiana State Police trooper stopped a vehicle bearing Texas license plates on Interstate 20 in the Western District of Louisiana for committing a traffic violation. After stopping the vehicle, the trooper approached the front passenger side of the vehicle and Rodriguez rolled down both front windows. He was the sole driver and occupant. The vehicle, however, was registered to another individual. Rodriguez admitted to the trooper that he did not have a Texas driver’s license but provided a Texas identification card.
While talking with Rodriguez, the trooper noticed a strong smell of air freshener coming from the vehicle and when asking questions about his travel itinerary, became suspicious of the story Rodriguez provided. A K-9 officer and his dog arrived on the scene and the dog positively alerted to the vehicle. The troopers searched the vehicle and found vacuum-sealed packages of brick-shaped items suspected to be cocaine hidden in the side panel on the passenger side of the dashboard. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) assisted, and the drugs were seized and sent to the laboratory to be analyzed. The lab results confirmed that the seized substance was 3,003.9 grams of a mixture or substance containing cocaine.
The case was investigated by the DEA and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick.
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Methamphetamine Drug Traffickers Receive Sentences Totaling over 24 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that James Pittman, 41, and Jeffery Southern, 51, both from the Ruston, Louisiana, area have been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for trafficking methamphetamine. Pittman was sentenced to 153 months (12 years, 9 months) in prison, and Southern was sentenced to 150 months (12 years, 5 months) in prison. Both will be under supervised release for 5 years following their release from prison.
Law enforcement agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into the trafficking of methamphetamine in the Ruston area. During their investigation, agents learned that Pittman and Southern were traveling together to Houston, Texas to obtain methamphetamine on February 18, 2022. Agents conducted surveillance of their vehicle and observed the men as they returned from Houston and traveled through Shreveport and Bossier City. A deputy with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office observed the vehicle commit a traffic violation and conducted a stop of their vehicle. Pittman was identified as the driver and Southern as the passenger. Pittman admitted to the deputy that he had a warrant out of Webster Parish. The deputy confirmed that the warrant was valid and returned to the vehicle and asked Pittman to step out. While conducting a pat down of Pittman, Southern slid over into the driver’s seat and fled the scene. A back-up deputy gave chase and shot out the back tire of the vehicle as it fled. Southern was eventually stopped and taken into custody.
A search of the vehicle was conducted, and law enforcement officers found a duffel bag in the trunk containing 4.5 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. In addition, officers found a black zippered bag which Southern had thrown from the vehicle when he fled. The bag contained methamphetamine which was sent to the DEA Southeast Laboratory for testing, and it was confirmed to be 1460.7 grams of pure methamphetamine. Southern and Pittman were charged in an indictment, and both pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the DEA, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ruston Police Department and Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.
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Illegal Possession of Methamphetamine, Ecstasy, and Heroin Leads to Time in Federal Prison for Three MenRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of three men this week for the illegal possession of drugs. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Archie Louis Carter, Jr., 40, of Alexandria, Louisiana, and Isaiah Charles Jones, 34, of Houston, Texas.
Carter was sentenced to 188 months (15 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Jones was previously sentenced on January 23, 2023, to 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
On February 13, 2020, a warrant was issued for Carter based on a criminal complaint which had been filed in the Western District of Louisiana charging him with a firearms violation. On February 15, 2020, law enforcement officers with the U.S. Marshal Service’s Violent Offender Task Force conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Carter was driving from the Houston, Texas area into the Western District of Louisiana. Jones was a passenger in the vehicle. Carter and Jones were ordered out of the vehicle and law enforcement agents detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A K-9 officer was deployed and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A search resulted in the seizure of large amounts of narcotics, including approximately 1,090 grams of heroin, 2,556 grams of cocaine, 1,030 grams of methamphetamine, and 12,223 dosage units of Ecstasy. Both Carter and Jones were arrested and subsequently indicted. On September 19, 2022, Carter pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and Jones pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy on September 19, 2022.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Marshal Service’s Violent Offender Task Force and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.
In a separate and unrelated case, Travis Trentel Thorne, 39, of Crowley, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 37 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of heroin.
According to evidence presented to the court, on June 20, 2020, deputies with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop. Deputies found Thorne to be in possession of approximately 28.7 grams of heroin. In addition, deputies located a silver scale with heroin residue on the passenger side floorboard of the vehicle. Thorne admitted to law enforcement officers that the heroin was his and he possessed with the intent to distribute the heroin. Thorne pleaded guilty to the charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin on November 9, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.
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Defendants Illegally Possessing Firearms Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two defendants for illegal possession of firearms. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced both defendants yesterday.
Lequentin Williams, 26, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The charges against Williams stemmed from a traffic stop that was conducted on January 15, 2021, by officers with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in Lake Charles. The vehicle was being driven by Williams and had two other occupants. Law enforcement officers became suspicious of the varying stories being provided by the occupants of the vehicle and had reason to believe they may be involved in criminal activity. A narcotics K-9 officer arrived on scene and performed a free air sniff alerting to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Officers found a Glock .45 caliber handgun in the vehicle and a large amount of cash. Williams later confessed to being the owner of the handgun, despite being prohibited from possessing it due to his prior felony convictions. His prior felony convictions include attempted illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled and dangerous substance, indecent behavior of a juvenile, second degree battery, aggravated flight from an officer. Williams was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and pleaded guilty to the charge on October 5, 2022. This case was investigated by the ATF and the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.
Glenn Ray LaSalle, Jr., 23, of New Orleans, was sentenced to 50 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On November 20, 2021, during a traffic stop by troopers with the Louisiana State Police in Lafayette Parish, LaSalle was found with a Glock .40 caliber handgun on his person. LaSalle has prior felony convictions for aggravated flight from an officer and possession of stolen things and was prohibited from possessing a firearm. This case was investigated by the ATF and Louisiana State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John W. Nickel.
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Statement of United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown in Connection with Shooting in Shreveport on February 3, 2023 Resulting in Death of Alonzo Sentell BagleyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - On Friday Feb. 3, Alonzo Sentell Bagley tragically died following an officer involved shooting that occurred during contact with a member of the Shreveport Police Department. My thoughts are with the family and the Shreveport community, and I pray for healing as they deal with the trauma resulting from this incident. I am encouraged by the fact that the investigative response and the federal and state collaboration pertaining to this incident has been swift and efficient.
I have been in communication with District Attorney James Stewart, State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis, and SPD Chief Wayne Smith regarding this incident. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to communicate with state authorities as they conduct their investigation. I have also contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. about the incident.
I hope that any protests remain peaceful and that the rights of protestors will be respected. As members of the law enforcement community, we will adhere to our role of ensuring that the civil rights of all people in the district are respected and all people are treated fairly.
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Two Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Transporting CocaineRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two Tennessee men who were stopped for a traffic violation while driving through Louisiana and found to have cocaine in their vehicle have been sentenced. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the two men as follows:
Jalyn Thompson, 21, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, and Derek Tipps, 21, of Dickson, Tennessee, was sentenced to 120 months in prison. Both will be under supervised release for 5 years following their release from prison.
On October 20, 2021, a vehicle was stopped by Louisiana State Police troopers for a traffic violation outside of Monroe, Louisiana. Thompson was driving the vehicle and Tipps was a passenger. The story they provided to law enforcement officers raised suspicions and a K-9 dog was summoned to the scene to assist. Upon arrival, the drug dog alerted on the vehicle and Thompson and Tipps admitted to having drugs in the vehicle. A backpack was found in the trunk which contained 25 pounds of cocaine. Both men were arrested and subsequently indicted for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Thompson and Tipps both pleaded guilty to the charge on May 3, 2022.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Joint Task Force and the Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.
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Federal Prison Escapee Arrested and Sentenced to Additional Prison TimeRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Terrell L. Kellum, 35, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for escaping from federal custody.
In 2016, Kellum pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison. After having served the majority of his time with the Bureau of Prisons, he was transferred in December 2019 to a residential halfway house in Monroe to complete his federal sentence. Kellum signed and agreed to Bureau of Prison’s Community Based Program Agreement subjecting him to certain rules and supervision while at the halfway house.
On March 10, 2020, Kellum left the halfway house at approximately 10:00 a.m. and told the staff that he was going to work. At 10:27 a.m., officers with the Monroe Police Department contacted staff at the halfway house wanting to question Kellum in connection with illegal check cashing activity. Officers determined that Kellum never showed up for work that day, nor did he ever report back to the halfway house, and he was placed on escape status. Deputies with the United States Marshal’s Service searched the area for Kellum to no avail. In August 2022, Kellum was arrested in Tarrant County, Texas and was returned to federal custody status.
The case was investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service and Monroe Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan.
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Shreveport Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Advertise the Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that James Ray Williams, 51, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 27 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on child pornography charges. Williams was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,000.
Williams was charged in a superseding indictment in November 2021 with conspiracy to advertise the distribution of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to the charge on August 30, 2022. According to information introduced in court, beginning in May 2021 and continuing through July 7, 2021, Williams was the master administrator of multiple private chat groups on the Kik Messenger app and had his own username. These private chat groups were dedicated to the advertisement and distribution of child pornography. As the master administrator, Williams posted rules to the private chat groups. He also recruited members to the private chat groups, some of whom he appointed to be sub-administrators of and enforce the rules in the groups. One of the rules required members of the private chat groups to post child pornography.
On or about May 9, 2021, Williams a.k.a. “travis_m495” published an advertisement in the private chat group an advertisement offering to distribute child pornography. The advertisement consisted of a Mega link with a file path which contained videos and images of child pornography.
Alexander Pennington, a convicted sex offender from Las Vegas who Williams appointed as a sub-administrator of the private chat groups, was charged as a co-defendant in this case. Pennington previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years in prison in connection with this case for his role in the conspiracy to advertise the distribution of child pornography.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.
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Former Soldier Stationed at Fort Polk Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Abusive Sexual Contact with a MinorRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Gjamale Demonte Kaver, 37, has been sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph on charges of abusive sexual contact with a minor under the age of 12. Kaver was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
A federal grand jury in Lafayette returned an indictment in March 2022 charging Kaver with abusive sexual contact with a minor under the age of 12 and he pleaded guilty to the charge on August 18, 2022. According to evidence presented to the court, Kaver was enlisted in the United States Army and stationed at the Fort Polk Military Reservation. While stationed there in 2007, and continuing upon his return to Fort Polk in 2009, Kaver engaged in abusive sexual misconduct with the minor victim who was under the age of 12.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana has jurisdiction over federal crimes that occur at Fort Polk Military Reservation,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Abusive sexual conduct with children is an intolerable crime and we will continue to prosecute those who commit these crimes to the fullest extent that the law will allow.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. McCoy and 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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Louisiana Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Kidnapping and Attempting to Murder a Gay Man as Part of Hate Crime Scheme Targeting Users of a Dating App for Gay MenRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - Chance Seneca, 21, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Robert L. Summerhays to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempting to murder a gay man as part of a months-long scheme to kidnap and murder gay men.
The court rested its sentence on many factors, including its determination that the defendant intentionally targeted the victim and other gay men because of their gender and sexual orientation.
"No one should ever be subject to the type of horrendous actions that this defendant inflicted upon the victim in this case," said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. "The victim never thought that he would find himself falling prey to a predator in such a way. Hate crimes are a top priority for the Department and this office and we take these kind of cases very seriously. It is important that we all remain vigilant and cautious as we use the internet in our everyday lives to avoid situations that may lead to destructive behavior of others towards us."
“The facts of this case are truly shocking, and the defendant’s decision to specifically target gay men is a disturbing reminder of the unique prejudices and dangers facing the LGBTQ+ community today,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The internet should be accessible and safe for all Americans, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. We will continue to identify and intercept the predators who weaponize online platforms to target LGBTQ+ victims and carry out acts of violence and hate.”
According to evidence introduced at sentencing and in an earlier hearing where the defendant pleaded guilty, Seneca in June 2020 used Grindr, a dating application for gay and bisexual men, to kidnap and attempt to murder H.W., a gay man. Specifically, Seneca used Grindr to propose a meeting with H.W., with the intent of murdering and dismembering him, and then drove H.W. to an isolated house, took out a handgun, instructed him to put on handcuffs, and then used several methods to attempt to murder him. Believing that H.W. was dead, Seneca then attempted to dismember him. After his arrest, Seneca admitted that he had planned to continue murdering gay men until he was caught or killed.
Seneca acknowledged that he kidnapped and attempted to murder H.W. in order to satisfy a compulsive murder-fantasy. Seneca had become fixated with the idea of killing gay men, and this fascination led him to spend months designing a murder-kidnapping scheme that mirrored the murders of gay men committed by the notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Seneca intentionally targeted gay men, as Dahmer had done. Seneca had also intended to eat and preserve the bodies of his victims, as Dahmer had done.
“The preservation of civil rights and the investigation of Color of Law violations are of utmost priority for the FBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that individuals like Chance Seneca will be held accountable. We thank our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and Lafayette Police Department for their strong partnership and dedication to protecting the civil rights of every citizen.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Lafayette Police Department and prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Myers Namie for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
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Justice Department Finds Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Violates the Constitution by Incarcerating People Beyond Their Release DatesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it has concluded there is reasonable cause to believe that the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (LDOC) routinely confines people in its custody past the dates when they are legally entitled to be released from custody, in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Specifically, the department concluded that: 1) LDOC denies individuals’ due process rights to timely release from incarceration; 2) LDOC’s failure to implement adequate policies and procedures causes systemic overdetentions; and 3) LDOC is deliberately indifferent to the systemic overdetention of people in its custody. For more than 10 years, LDOC has been on notice of its overdetention problem and has failed to take adequate measures to ensure timely releases of incarcerated individuals from its custody. Between January and April 2022 alone, 26.8% of the people released from LDOC’s custody were held past their release dates. Of those overdetained people, 24% were held over for at least 90 days, and the median number of days overdetained was 29. In just this four-month period, LDOC had to pay parish jails an estimated $850,000, at a minimum, in fees for the days those individuals were incarcerated beyond their lawful sentences. At that rate, this unconstitutional practice costs Louisiana over $2.5 million a year.
As required by the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), the department provided LDOC with written notice of the supporting facts for these findings and the minimum remedial measures necessary to address them.
“The Constitution guarantees that people incarcerated in jails and prisons may not be detained beyond their release dates, and it is the fundamental duty of the State to ensure that all people in its custody are released on time,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our investigation uncovered evidence of systemic violations by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections that have resulted in the routine confinement of people far beyond the dates when they are legally entitled to be released. We are committed to taking action that will ensure that the civil rights of people held in Louisiana’s jails and prisons are protected. We stand ready to work with state officials to institute long overdue reforms.”
“Persons are legally incarcerated every day in America and are ordered by the court to serve certain sentences primarily for punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation purposes,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “This ultimately benefits the individual, society and the criminal justice system. There is an obligation both to incarcerated persons and the taxpayers not to keep someone incarcerated for longer than they should be. This can be costly from a physical and mental standpoint for the incarcerated individual and a waste of money for the taxpayer. Timely release is not only a legal obligation, but arguably of equal importance, a moral obligation. We look forward to working with the Louisiana Department of Corrections to ensure that it has the policy and tools going forward to prevent overdetention from reoccurring.”
“It is the job of the U.S. Department of Justice to protect the constitutional rights of every person, including individuals who are incarcerated,” said U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe Jr. for the Middle District of Louisiana. “While all government agencies operate under constraints, that is no excuse for violating the rights of people who have served their sentences and are ready to start their lives anew. Federal law requires equal justice for all. My office is committed to enforcing that mandate.”
“Today’s findings demonstrate the Department of Justice’s commitment to hold accountable institutions entrusted to protect the rights of all citizens, including people within the Louisiana Department of Corrections,” said U.S. Attorney Duane Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “Lawfully convicted people should not serve a day beyond their official designated release dates. Louisiana is wasting money on incarcerating people beyond their release dates and incurring legal expenses in defending lawsuits filed by the overdetained. We look forward to working with all affected parties to correct this problem.”
The Justice Department initiated the investigation in December 2020 under CRIPA, which authorizes the Department to take action to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of legal rights of individuals confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities.
Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Justice Department by phone at 1-833-492-0097, or by email at [email protected].
For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. You can also report civil rights violations to the Civil Rights Division by completing a complaint form available at: https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
Additional information about the Eastern, Middle, and Western U.S. Attorneys Offices is available at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla , https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdla , and https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
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Convicted Felon Found Illegally Possessing a Firearm Sentenced to Time in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Pernell Deon Russell, 25, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.
According to evidence presented to the court, officers with the Shreveport Police Department responded to a complaint of shots being fired throughout the day at a residence in Shreveport. When officers approached the residence, Russell’s mother answered the door and told officers she was not aware of a firearm in the residence, or any shots being fired. Officers proceeded to talk with her son, Pernell Deon Russell, who lived at the residence. Russell admitted to officers that he did have a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol that he had purchased from an individual, as well as 388 grams of marijuana that he intended to sell, in his possession.
Russell has a previous felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute narcotics and is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. He was charged in this case with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and pleaded guilty to that charge on September 13, 2022.
The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Gaskins.
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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Illegal Possession of Firearms Sends Sulphur Man to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Cornell Devon Shelton, 33, of Sulphur, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. conducted the sentencing hearing.
Shelton was charged in a bill of information with three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and he pleaded guilty to those charges on September 20, 2022. According to evidence presented to the court, Shelton, who has prior felony convictions, was found to be in possession of three different firearms on three separate occasions. On June 23, 2020, law enforcement officers with the Sulphur Police Department observed Shelton in the parking lot of a local motel conducting what appeared to be a narcotics transaction next to a vehicle. When the officer approached Shelton, he discovered Shelton was wearing a holster in his waistband and found a Taurus 9mm handgun on top of the driver’s seat of the vehicle which fit the holster he was wearing. The officer seized the firearm at that time.
On a second occasion on September 1, 2020, detectives with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office noticed an occupied vehicle at the Sulphur Truck Stop and Casino which was in violation of the mandated curfew following Hurricane Laura. Shelton was in the vehicle with two other passengers and had a Diamondback .308 rifle inside the vehicle. Further investigation by deputies revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen.
The third incident occurred on March 21, 2021, when a deputy with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Shelton. Shelton gave his consent for the vehicle to be searched and the deputy found a Beretta 9mm pistol located between the driver’s seat and console. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) test fired each firearm and determined each was a working firearm.
Shelton knew that as a convicted felon he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. His prior convictions are for deadly conduct - discharging a firearm in direction of an individual (2013), possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute (2015), and possession of a controlled substance (2017).
The case was investigated by the ATF, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Sulphur Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.
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Federal Jury Convicts Shreveport Man of Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal jury returned a guilty verdict late yesterday afternoon convicting Recardo Cartrell Pierce, 26, of Shreveport, of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial.
According to evidence presented at trial, 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 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.
Deputies learned that Pierce had prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition and he was arrested at that time. Pierce was previously convicted of the same charge in federal court in 2018.
“Through the joint investigative efforts of deputies with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and the ATF, the jury was able to hear and evaluate the evidence, deliberate and convict this defendant accordingly,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “We look forward to the sentencing hearing where we will seek a stiff, but just, sentence of imprisonment.”
Pierce faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing date has been set for May 19, 2023.
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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Church Point Man Sentenced for Trafficking NarcoticsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a drug trafficker from Church Point, Louisiana, has been sentenced in federal court. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Ricky James Shepheard, 43, to 120 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to evidence presented to the court, law enforcement agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed a search warrant on Shepheard’s residence in Church Point on June 3, 2021. During their search, agents seized methamphetamine, heroin, and a large quantity of cash, as well as six firearms.
Shepheard pleaded guilty to a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on September 27, 2022 and admitted that he possessed 805 grams of a mixture of substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, as well as 230 grams of marijuana, 205 grams of synthetic marijuana, 10 grams of suspected heroin, and 7 Gabapentin pills. Shepheard also possessed 145 grams of an unknown white powdery substance and 130 grams of an unknown brown substance.
This case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.
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Lake Charles Men Sentenced for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two men from Lake Charles were sentenced by U.S. District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. yesterday for illegally possessing firearms.
Taylor Austin Chiasson, 33, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 96 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. The charges in this case stem from an incident which occurred on March 9, 2021, when Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a residence in response to a noise complaint. When deputies arrived, they observed Chiasson leaving the residence carrying a small child, several bags, and what appeared to be a pistol in a holster in his hand. Deputies stopped Chiasson to discuss what was going on and had dispatch run a criminal history of him. It was determined that in fact Chiasson had prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody. Chiasson pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on August 16, 2022. Chiasson’s prior felony convictions were for simple burglary (2009) and distribution of a controlled substance (2012).
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ladonte A. Murphy.
The second case involved Deandrus T. Jones, of Lake Charles. Jones was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Jones was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and he pleaded guilty on August 29, 2022. On May 13, 2020, detectives with the Jennings Police Department executed a search warrant at Jones’ residence and found a Taurus Millennium 9mm handgun next to his bed along with a loaded magazine and other narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Jones was arrested and the subsequent investigation by law enforcement officers revealed that Jones had previously been convicted on felony charges of attempted simple burglary and possession of alprazolam. Jones knew that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition because of his felony convictions.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Jennings Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. 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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Iowa Man Sentenced to 20+ Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Garrett Michael Faulk, 25, of Iowa, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 262 months (21 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, on child pornography charges. Faulk was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,000.
According to evidence presented to the court, investigators with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Iowa, Louisiana, regarding a complaint of child exploitation. Through their investigation, law enforcement agents found an explicit video and pictures on Faulk’s cell phone depicting the exploitation of children. Faulk admitted to agents that he had used his cell phone to capture the video and pictures of prepubescent children. He was charged by a federal grand jury with production of child pornography and pleaded guilty to one count on August 23, 2022.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker.
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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Shreveport Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of a Firearm and DrugsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Denell Linn Lee, 44, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today on drug and firearms charges, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Lee to 115 months (8 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Lee pleaded guilty on September 27, 2022, to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to information presented to the court, on the evening of February 27, 2020, agents with the Caddo-Shreveport Street Level Interdiction Unit and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) stopped Lee for driving a car without a license plate. As agents approached the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Law enforcement officers lawfully searched the vehicle and found a small amount of marijuana on the driver’s side floorboard where Lee had been sitting. In addition, agents found a bag containing a .22 caliber revolver, a digital scale, and approximately 565 tablets of a substance containing methamphetamine. The combined weight of the tablets was over 100 grams.
Lee has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for simple kidnapping, simple burglary, attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, domestic abuse battery, and domestic abuse with strangulation. As a convicted felon, Lee is prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.
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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Las Vegas Man Guilty of Conspiring to Advertise the Distribution of Child Pornography Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Alexander D. Pennington, 35, of Las Vegas, Nevada, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 30 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, on child pornography charges. Pennington was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,000.
Pennington was charged in a superseding indictment in November 2021 with conspiracy to advertise the distribution of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to the charge on August 30, 2022. According to information introduced in court, from on or about May 1, 2021 through July 7, 2021, Pennington was a sub-administrator of private chat groups on the Kik Messenger app and had his own username. These private chat groups were dedicated to the advertisement and distribution of child pornography. As a sub-administrator, Pennington enforced the rules of the private chat groups, one of which required members of the private chat groups to post child pornography or be removed from the groups.
On or about June 1, 2021, Pennington a.k.a. “grimka00” published an advertisement in the private chat group titled “Sneak & Peak” for the purpose of receiving and displaying child pornography. The advertisement consisted of a notice which stated, “Any babies?” along with an image of a nude female baby.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. 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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Many, Louisiana Man Convicted of Dog Fighting is Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Charles Calvin Akins, 52, of Many, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 15 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.
Akins was charged in a federal indictment in February 2022 and pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture. This charge is a result of an investigation by law enforcement agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) into illegal activities of Akins. Akins is a convicted felon, having been convicted of a felony charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in 1988, as well as misdemeanor convictions for aggravated assault and unauthorized use of a movable in 2016.
On January 19, 2022, agents with the ATF obtained a federal search warrant for Akins’ residence in Many, Louisiana. While planning the execution of the search warrant, agents observed 15 pit bull type dogs in the backyard of Akins’ residence. The dogs were chained in close proximity to each other but outside of biting reach and each dog had access to a small wooden structure. During the execution of the search warrant, agents observed the dogs, their chains, and their plywood structures. Each structure was surrounded by a circular path or “chain path.” The chain paths appeared to be worn dirt that the dogs would traverse around their plywood structures due to the restrictions of their chains.
Inside a nearby shed was a homemade treadmill with a small, dog-sized running belt made of wooden slats. These treadmills are commonly used by dog fighters to train and condition their dogs for fights. Inside another shed, agents found a pistol next to a large toolbox containing a large metal spring device, metal scale, and animal medications, as well as several heavy metal chains and metal stakes, a dog-breeding device and numerous carpet pieces. All of these items are commonly used by dog fighters to train and strengthen their dogs’ bite, weigh game dogs as they train and prepare them for upcoming fights, and for strength conditioning of the game dogs. Pieces of carpet are also commonly used by animal fighters to line fighting pits and provide traction for their game dogs. The dogs were seized and given behavioral and medical assessments. Several of the dogs had scars and wounds around the back legs, neck and rear, and displayed dog-aggressive behavior toward other dogs.
Akins admitted to owning and possessing the 15 dogs at his residence, along with the dog-fighting equipment found there. He also admitted that the dogs were possessed for use in dog-fighting events which would be conducted between at least two animals for purposes of sport, wagering, or entertainment, and that such dog-fighting events affected interstate commerce.
“Dog fighting is not only against the law, but an inhumane way of treating animals,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Individuals who participate in this type of activity should be aware that it is illegal to participate or wager in dog or cock fights. This office will continue to work with federal and local law enforcement agencies to put a stop to this kind of activity in the Western District of Louisiana.”
The case was investigated by the ATF and FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.
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Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Ruston Woman with Illegally Dispensing and Distributing Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Bonnie Jennifer Sherrard a/k/a May Bonnie Jennifer Sherrard, 46, of Ruston, Louisiana, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Shreveport for illegally dispensing and distributing controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.
The indictment alleges that Sherrard was a nurse practitioner licensed to practice in the State of Louisiana and worked with a physician in Ruston. Count 1 of the indictment charges Sherrard with the use of a DEA Registration Number issued to another person; Counts 2 through 41 charge Sherrard with illegal dispensation and distribution of controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice. In addition, the indictment seeks forfeiture of Sherrard’s license to practice as a nurse practitioner in the State of Louisiana.
It is alleged in the indictment that Sherrard was authorized to distribute and dispense controlled substances so long as these acts were in accordance with the collaborative practice agreement between she and the physician. Sherrard had a DEA Registration Number issued to her for use in distributing and dispensing controlled substances, but she was not authorized to prescribe controlled substances in connection with treatment for chronic pain or in connection with the treatment of family members.
The indictment further alleges that on or about January 11, 2020, through November 27, 2020, Sherrard knowingly and intentionally distributed and dispensed controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice to members of her family. These controlled substances included Hydrocodone, Adderrall, Xanax, and Clonazepam.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, Sherrard faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 on the counts involving illegal dispensation and distribution. In addition, if convicted, Sherrard faces a sentence of up to 4 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 on the count involving illegal use of a DEA Registration Number issued to another person.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.
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Theft of Firearms from Stores in Youngsville and Benton, Louisiana Results in Sentence of 22+ Years in Federal Prison for Pineville ManRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Salih Reed, 27, of Pineville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell for the burglary of two firearms stores in Benton and Youngsville, Louisiana, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced.
Salih Reed was sentenced to 270 months (22 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 6 years of supervised release. Reed was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $38,148.07. Reed pleaded guilty on August 4, 2022 to two counts of theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee.
The charges in this case stem from two thefts from firearms stores in Louisiana. On or about September 1, 2019, Reed stole 54 firearms from the premises of Sentry Defense located in Youngsville. Again, on November 14, 2021, Reed and Jessica Moore stole 62 firearms from the premises of Guns-N-Ammo, a licensed firearms dealer located in Benton, Louisiana.
“Salih Reed not only broke the law by stealing numerous firearms from two stores in Louisiana, but he caused multiple stolen firearms to be illegally transported to other cities in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The cooperation between law enforcement agencies, both federal and those in Louisiana and other states, are what led to the arrest of these individuals. The goal of the Department of Justice is to help reduce violent crime and cases like these are where this begins. We will continue working with our federal and local partners to keep violent criminals off the streets.”
“This sentencing sends a strong message to gun traffickers that ATF will use every available resource to prevent and dismantle the flow of illegal firearms into our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “ATF will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate and seek prosecution of these cases to the fullest extent of the law in order to protect our citizens.”
Jessica Moore, 24, of Alexandria, was involved in the robbery of the Guns-N-Ammo store in Benton, Louisiana and pleaded guilty on August 24, 2022 to one count of theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee. Judge Drell sentenced Moore to time served, which began at the time of her arrest in February 2021, followed by 2 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,500.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Youngsville Police Department, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Los Angeles Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.
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Ruston Man Sentenced to Prison for Making Threats to Member of United States CongressRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Chase Levi Thibodeaux, 39, of Ruston, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for transmitting threats in interstate commerce.
These charges stem from an incident which occurred on or about October 12, 2021 when Thibodeaux placed a telephone call to the office of a United States Congress Member located in the State of New York. In the voicemail, Thibodeaux stated that he would buy an Uzi and gun the Member of Congress down in the streets. He also stated that he would buy a Walther PPK with a silencer and that the Congress Member would “never know what hit [them].”
The United States Capitol Police began an investigation into the threats and learned that Thibodeaux had in fact placed the phone call and left the threatening voicemail. In addition, agents learned through their investigation that Thibodeaux had made over 100 calls to the Congressional Office in the previous two months, and left voicemails directly for the Member of Congress.
The case was investigated by the United States Capitol Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg.
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Bookkeeper from Pollock Sentenced for Committing Wire FraudRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Deonne Drawdy, 50, of Pollock, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for committing wire fraud. Drawdy was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $374,331.30.
According to evidence presented to the court, Drawdy was employed at the architectural firm of Barron, Heinberg, and Brocato (BH&B) in Alexandria, Louisiana from approximately 2007 to 2020 as the bookkeeper and financial director. Some of her duties as an employee there included issuing checks to vendors.
In 2020, BH&B noticed suspicious activity in the firm’s accounts and an audit was conducted. Law enforcement agents with the United States Secret Service joined in the investigation. Their investigation revealed that on or about January 7, 2019, Drawdy issued a check on the firm’s bank account made payable to Meyer, Meyer, Lacroix & Hixson. Drawdy fraudulently endorsed the check and deposited it into her personal bank account on January 10, 2019 and converted those funds for her own personal use.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.
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Two Defendants Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Illegal Narcotics and FirearmsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two defendants who were found guilty of trafficking narcotics in the Shreveport/Bossier City area have been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr.
Timothy DeWayne Vasher, 20, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of firearms during a drug trafficking offense. On August 11, 2021, deputies with the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle and made contact with the driver who was Vasher. Law enforcement agents detected an odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and conducted a probable cause search. Inside the center console, deputies found baggies containing between 3-5 grams of marijuana and a loaded Glock Model 21 .45 pistol. Inside the trunk, deputies found a loaded Smith & Wesson Model M&P AR-15 pistol with a 50-round drum. The AR-15 had a barrel length of 8 7/8 inches and an overall length of 23 7/8 inches which had not been registered with the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Records (NFRTR). Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) determined that the firearms were in working order and that the AR-15 was stolen. The narcotics were tested by the North Louisiana Crime Lab and confirmed to be marijuana.
This case was investigated by the ATF and Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.
Misty Michell Moran a/k/a Misty Ott, 46, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was also sentenced today to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 3 years supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In January 2022, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information that Moran was transporting large amounts of methamphetamine from the Dallas, Texas area to the Shreveport area. Through their investigation, agents learned that Moran was frequently making these trips. On February 21, 2022, troopers with the Louisiana State Police conducted a traffic stop of Moran’s vehicle for a speeding violation in Shreveport. Law enforcement officers found suspected methamphetamine inside a plastic bowl on the passenger seat of the vehicle, a SCCY Model CPX-2 9mm handgun attached to the front dashboard, and over $2,000 in cash. The narcotics were sent to the DEA Crime Lab and it was confirmed that the seized narcotics contained 998 grams of pure methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the DEA and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.
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Four Defendants Sentenced for CounterfeitingRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Four defendants involved in two separate counterfeiting cases were sentenced today, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced the four defendants as follows:
Joshua Michael Dore, 38, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Dore was convicted on June 2, 2022, by a federal jury of defrauding the United States government by falsely making counterfeit obligations. Evidence presented at trial showed that on September 18, 2020, officers with the Lafayette Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on Rue Du Jardin in Lafayette. Dore was a resident of the detached apartment of that residence. During their search of the premises, officers located $1, $10, $20, and $100 counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs), along with paraphernalia used to create these counterfeit notes. In addition, several sheets of printed FRNs were located inside the main residence. Dore was convicted of having bills in those denominations in his possession.
In a second and unrelated case, the three following defendants were sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph:
Creig Matthew Jacquneaux, 48, of Lafayette, was sentenced to 16 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.
Jeffrey Wilson, 30, of Lafayette, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.
Beau Bertrand, 34, of Breaux Bridge, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.
On December 6, 2021, law enforcement officers with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service executed a search warrant at a residence on 6th Street in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. During the execution of the search warrant, agents encountered Jacquneaux and Wilson, who were present inside a dwelling on the property, and seized counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) in denominations of $20, $50 and $100. In addition to the counterfeit FRNs, officers located several genuine FRNs, printers and FRNs soaking in chemical solutions in order to “bleach” the ink from them.
Jacquneaux and Wilson admitted to their involvement in a counterfeiting operation and each pleaded guilty to the indictment charging them with defrauding the United States government by falsely making counterfeit obligations. Both Jacquneaux and Wilson also admitted to passing counterfeit FRNs in the Breaux Bridge and Lafayette areas.
Bertrand pleaded guilty to a bill of information charging him with misprision of a felony and admitted that he knew that Jacquneaux and Wilson had manufactured the counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes with the intent to defraud others to believe the notes were genuine.
These cases were investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Lafayette Police Department and the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office and were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.
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Monroe Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering in Connection with CARES Act Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Michael Ansezell Tolliver, 57, of Monroe, Louisiana, appeared before United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty yesterday and pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering.
In March 2020 Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act which was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the CARES Act, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provided Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which were low-interest financing to small businesses, renters and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. The CARES Act also provided authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).
According to evidence presented in court, Tolliver devised a scheme to defraud the SBA and various financial institutions by falsifying PPP and EIDL Program loan applications and other documents to fraudulently obtain funds through these programs. Tolliver submitted these documents in the name of Tolliver Oil & Gas and provided false and fraudulent information specifically related to the number of employees and average monthly payroll of the company.
On or about May 14, 2020, Tolliver electronically submitted a false and fraudulent PPP application to “Bank 3” in the name of Tolliver Oil & Gas seeking approximately $664,724 in PPP funds. In the PPP application, Tolliver certified that the funds would be used “to retain workers and maintain payroll.” Tolliver falsely represented that the company had 108 employees and that its average monthly payroll was $265,889.60 and even submitted a fake IRS Form 940 for 2019. Tolliver signed the PPP application and certified that the application and all information provided in it were true and accurate. When in truth and in fact, Tolliver knew that Tolliver Oil & Gas had no employees or monthly payroll expenses. Thereafter, on or about May 21, 2020, Bank 3 disbursed approximately $664,724 in loan benefits to an account held by Tolliver at “Bank 1.” Using these and other funds, Tolliver made payments on vehicles and other items, including a 2020 Cadillac CT5, 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, two Tissot watches, two Tag Heuer watches, two 2021 Honda Rubicon ATVs, and one 2021 Honda Pioneer ATV.
After receiving the $664,724 in fraudulent acquired PPP loan benefits, Tolliver withdrew approximately $500,065 of those funds in the form of a cashier’s check on June 25, 2020, knowing that the funds were derived from unlawful activity, and deposited them into an account at yet another bank held by Tolliver.
Tolliver faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 2, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana and Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section of the Department of Justice.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Drug Trafficker from Monroe Sentenced to Lengthy Prison TermRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of a Monroe man for his role in the trafficking of narcotics in the Monroe area. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Oterrance Jackson, 46, of Monroe, Louisiana, to 168 months (14 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking charges. Jackson pleaded guilty on September 9, 2022, to charges in a federal indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
Law enforcement agents with the Metro Narcotics Unit in Monroe and task force officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) became aware in the fall of 2020 that Jackson was selling large amounts of narcotics out of his residence on Dawnview Street in Monroe. Agents began surveillance of the residence and were able to determine that Jackson was living at the residence. On December 15, 2020, agents obtained a search warrant for Jackson’s residence and during the search found approximately 19 pounds of marijuana located in large Ziploc bags, 1,710 ecstasy pills, 64 grams of powder cocaine, 54 grams of crack cocaine, 610 pills of suspected Viagra, and approximately $20,000 in cash. Agents also found a loaded Glock Model 17 9mm firearm with an extended magazine and a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver in the master bedroom. The narcotics were taken to the criminalistics laboratory for testing and the suspected ecstasy pills were confirmed to contain over 28 grams of methamphetamine and the suspected Viagra pills were found to have over 28 grams of fentanyl. Jackson is a convicted felon and has prior felony convictions for possession of cocaine in 1998 and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2014.
“Agents recovered a smorgasbord of drugs from Mr. Jackson’s home, including fentanyl, the most dangerous drug we’re dealing with right now,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This lethal substance has indeed reared its ugly head in northeast Louisiana and those with substance abuse issues or abuse narcotics illegally are at grave risk indicated by recent overdose deaths in the Monroe area and across the south. Given Jackson’s criminal history, this sentence is appropriate, and we will continue to be aggressive in prosecuting these types of offenders.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Monroe Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.
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Former Monroe Police Officer Sentenced for Abusing ArresteeRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – A former officer with the Monroe Police Department, Jared Preston Desadier, 44, was sentenced today to 78 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, for his role in the assault of an arrestee in Ouachita Parish and his efforts to cover up that abuse.
“The defendant’s decision to callously abuse an arrestee when he thought he wasn’t being watched is an affront to the principles of honesty and integrity that our society expects from law enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This sentence makes clear that the Department of Justice will aggressively investigate and prosecute any officer who believes that the Constitution only applies when the cameras are on.”
“All Americans expect law enforcement officers to continuously abide by the law,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The bedrock of officer and citizen engagement is for the officer to, without exception, act professionally with a goal of deescalating tense situations. Here, this defendant instead decided to criminally escalate the situation by unnecessarily battering the victim. Prosecuting offenses such as these not only benefit society, but also law enforcement because bad police officers who cast a black eye on the profession are eradicated from the law enforcement community. This office will continue to prosecute these types of crimes with a goal of increasing the public’s trust in law enforcement.”
According to the defendant’s plea agreement, on April 21, 2020, officers of the Monroe Police Department, including Desadier, conducted a field interview with the victim in this case. When the victim attempted to run away, Desadier chased after him. The victim eventually stopped running, got on his stomach, and put his hands behind his back. Desadier ran towards the victim and then asked his fellow officer whether the officer’s body-worn camera was recording, and when he was mistakenly told that the cameras were off, he continued to run towards victim and kicked him in the face.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Brown, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI Seeking to Identify Potential Victims in Connection with Online Child Exploitation CaseRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, 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 Northeast Louisiana in 2021.
The defendant in this investigation, Gary Landon Harper, has been charged by federal indictment with production of child pornography, under 18 U.S.C. § 2251, 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: “lilharp,” “oleharp,” “Millwright2011,” and “olecountry1234.” The defendant is presumed innocent 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 using the online applications Snapchat or Cash App between 2019 and 2021, 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 Convicts Man of Alexandria and Monroe BombingsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Daniel Aikens, 40, of Alexandria, Louisiana, was convicted of 8 counts of illegal explosive related charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. The jury found Aikens guilty of 3 counts of Making a Destructive Device, 3 counts of Possession of a Destructive Device in violation of the NFA, 1 count of Use of an Explosive to Commit a Federal Felony and 1 count of Conveying Malicious False Information and will be sentenced by Senior District Judge Dee D. Drell on March 3, 2023.
“What this investigation shows is that when federal, state and local law enforcement partners collaborate to investigate heinous criminal activity, justice is more often than not inevitable. This is an extremely dangerous individual and we are fortunate more persons were not injured. All the investigators at every level, talented prosecutors and the courageous victims and witnesses who faced Aikens in court, played a vital role in helping us obtain this conviction. The Western District of Louisiana is truly a safer place today due to this guilty verdict and given Aikens’ actions, coupled with his failure to accept responsibility, we will indeed seek a lengthy prison sentence,” stated United States Attorney Brown.
The government presented evidence at trial that on September 12, 2019, an explosion occurred at Cloyd’s Beauty School in Monroe, Louisiana. The victim was placing boxes inside a commercial garbage can when the explosion occurred and sustained burns on his hands and face. Remnants of the device were collected by agents for analysis by the ATF laboratory and found to contain a rocket motor commonly sold at hobby stores and a pressure cooker. Law enforcement was unable to identify a suspect at the time, but obtained video footage from Hobby Lobby in West Monroe, LA showing a black male purchasing a rocket motor two days before the explosion. Agents also collected numerous items for DNA analysis, including a piece of tape located on the device. Further, on December 20, 2019, officers responded to reports of an explosion at a Texaco gas station located in Alexandria, Louisiana. 911 dispatch operators received a call from an unknown male caller advising that an explosion had occurred.
On the morning of January 2, 2020, an employee at the Payday Today located on MacArthur Drive, Alexandria, Louisiana received a phone call from cell phone number 716-563-4031. The caller initially spoke with an employee about a set of lost keys. While the employee was in the parking lot looking for the keys, an explosive device detonated in a trash can near the building. The caller advised that he caused the explosion and demanded $10,000 in cash. The caller further advised that there was second device on the scene, and he would cause it to detonate if the employee did not comply. The caller then recited the employee’s home address and explained that he knew that she had three children. He then threatened to kill her and her family if she did not comply. The caller then asked why the employee was going there instead of the bank. This led the employee to believe that the caller was nearby and observing her actions. The employee advised the caller that she needed a bottle of water, but once inside the store, she panicked and the call was disconnected. The employee ultimately did not provide any money to the bomber. Among the blast debris collected from the scene, investigators located metal pipe fragments, which is indicative of a pipe bomb detonation.
During the investigation, law enforcement contacted employees at a nearby gas station. The gas station is within approximately 400 feet of Payday Today and was determined to be an ideal overwatch location to observe any activity at PayDay Today. Surveillance footage retrieved from the gas station showed a white Jeep Cherokee at the location. A tall unidentified black male entered the store and made a small purchase, shortly before the explosion and call at PayDay Today. Surveillance footage even showed the male looking in the direction of PayDay Today while inside the store on the telephone. A BOLO alert was provided to Alexandria area law enforcement, with screen captures of a white Jeep Cherokee taken from the gas station and other businesses near the Payday Today bombing. 4 days later, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office located the Jeep Cherokee and initiated a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Daniel Aikens and matched the description of the subject that was present at the gas station shortly before the explosion. Investigators also secured a search warrant for Aikens’ home and pursuant to the search, observed damage in the kitchen area consistent with a blast and located what appeared to be fragments of galvanized pipe and blast debris indicative of a pipe bomb detonation.
When arresting Aikens, agents secured his cellular telephone and discovered that he had been communicating with a friend via text message concerning the Monroe bombing. Agents later interviewed this friend and the friend stated that Aikens communicated with him after the Monroe and Texaco bombings. He even stated that Aikens called him on the morning of the explosion from his personal cell phone and allowed him to listen in as he called Payday Today from the “bomb phone.” Forensic examination of Aikens’ personal cell phone revealed Google Street View images of the Ferrand Street area near Cloyd’s Beauty School in Monroe, Louisiana. The phone’s web history showed a search for “how to build a pressure cooker bomb” and included a possible pdf download. A piece of black electrical tape was recovered from the pressure cooker device and found to contain a mixture of a known DNA profile found to be 1 trillion times more likely to have originated from Aikens. Cell phone and 911 records confirmed that the “bomb phone” was also used to call emergency services during the Texaco explosion on December 20, 2019. The 911 recording depicts a male caller (who law enforcement identified as Aikens) advising that he was passing by, there was an explosion, and requests law enforcement. Location data from Aikens’ personal phone showed that he frequented several stores in Lafayette, LA, the day before the Texaco explosion. Specifically, it showed Aikens making stops near Home Depot, Academy Sporting Goods and Hobby Lobby. Surveillance video from Home Depot showed Aikens’ entering the store at 12:33pm. Twenty-three minutes later, he purchased a drill bit, two metal pipe caps, a steel pipe and adhesive.
Aikens’ cell phone was then located near Academy Sporting Goods a short time later. Agents reviewed sales receipts around the time that Aikens was in the store. They located a sales receipt at 1:39pm for 2lbs. of Hodgdon H335, Rifle Powder. Included in that same purchase were two children’s fishing rod and reel combos and a lady’s rod and reel combo. All three fishing combos were later collected from Aikens’ girlfriend who advised that she and her two children had received the fishing equipment as Christmas gifts from Aikens. Aikens then traveled to the nearby Hobby Lobby. A review of the December 19, 2019, surveillance video showed Aikens purchasing what appears to be rocket motor starters. Aikens returned to the store on December 21, 2019, and made another purchase identical to the one on December 19.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Alexandria Police Department, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Louisiana State Police and the Alexandria Fire Department investigated the case, with the assistance of the Alexandria Public Safety Commissioner and the City of Alexandria Mayor’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog, LaDonte A. Murphy and Daniel J. McCoy are prosecuting the case.
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Franklin Man with Lengthy Criminal History Sentenced to over Nine Years for Drug and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Ezekiel Anderson, IV, 30, of Franklin, Louisiana, has been sentenced on firearms and drug charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Anderson was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 112 months (9 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Anderson pleaded guilty on April 27, 2022 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to evidence presented to the court, investigators with the Chitimacha Tribal Police Department encountered Anderson in the parking lot of the Cypress Bayou Casino on April 30, 2021. During their interaction with Anderson, investigators smelled the odor of marijuana coming from his vehicle and on his breath and person. A search warrant was obtained by law enforcement officers and a search of Anderson’s vehicle resulted in the discovery of a black bag on the front passenger seat containing a loaded Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a baggie containing suspected methamphetamine, along with other suspected narcotics and items used in the distribution of narcotics. The Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory analyzed the seized narcotics and determined that Anderson possessed approximately 8.4 grams of methamphetamine, 105 grams of marijuana, 47 Alprazolam tablets and 2 tablets containing methamphetamine.
The firearm and ammunition recovered were analyzed by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In addition, a review of Anderson’s criminal history revealed that he has numerous felony convictions, including possession of cocaine with intent to distribute (2012); possession of cocaine (2015); attempted possession of firearm by a convicted felon (2017); simple escape (2017); simple kidnapping, simple burglary, and possession of methamphetamine (2018).
The case was investigated by the ATF, Chitimacha Tribal Police Department, and St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker.
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Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Compel Labor by Three Minors and to Transporting a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. - Assistant Attorney General Clarke and United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Darnell Fulton, 38, of Pineville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to compel labor by three minors and to transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
According to the plea agreement, between June 2016 and May 2019, the defendant used violence, sexual abuse, withholding of food, degradation and intimidation to coerce multiple minors to work for his brownie baking business and provide him with the business profits. The defendant required the victims to travel to as many as 20-30 locations a day, such as plazas, car dealerships, law firms, restaurants and parking lots, in order to sell brownies. The victims worked late into the night, either selling or baking the brownies, and sold them during the day instead of going to school. In fact, the victims typically worked seven days a week with very few breaks, and had to meet a sales quota every day. The defendant regularly assaulted the victims, especially if they did not meet his sales quotas. For example, the defendant frequently required the victims to get on their hands and knees on rice and stay in a pushup or plank position for hours, and he often whipped them with a belt if they got out of proper form. He also forced the minor victims to perform sexual acts with him and others and transported them across state lines in order to engage in criminal sexual activity.
“This case is proof that human trafficking doesn’t just happen in other countries,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “But in fact, human trafficking can be happening right in our own neighborhoods and communities without us even realizing it. Each of us must be vigilant and aware of our surroundings and if we see a situation that seems suspicious, take the time to report it to the police. Unfortunately, the victims in this case are the ones who have suffered life-long trauma because of this defendant’s horrendous acts. We will continue fighting for victims such as these to ensure that those who choose to inflict this type of harm on others are brought to justice.”
“Human trafficking is a heinous crime that targets some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, cruelly exploiting the victims for their labor and services,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This conviction makes clear that the Department of Justice will prosecute those who use violence, psychological abuse, and emotional manipulation to compel the labor and services of their victims. We encourage survivors of forced labor, including children, to report forced labor complaints to authorities.”
Fulton’s sentencing hearing has been scheduled for April 11, 2023. Fulton faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment, as well as a $250,000 fine for transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and a maximum penalty of 20 years and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to commit forced labor. As part of his plea agreement, the defendant agreed to a sentence of 35 years in prison and to pay more than $700,000 in restitution to the victims.
The FBI New Orleans Field Office in Alexandria investigated this case, with assistance from the Alexandria Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky of the Justice Department’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
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Two Men from Lake Charles Area Sentenced for Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of two cases in the Lake Charles Division of the Western District of Louisiana. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the following two defendants today:
Johnathan Wade Thierry, 49, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On April 20, 2021, law enforcement officers with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force team in Lake Charles, Louisiana, were conducting home surveillance to execute active arrest warrants for Thierry. Officers observed Thierry depart from his residence and they initiated a traffic stop, taking him into custody for the outstanding warrants. He consented to a search of his vehicle but would not give consent for them to search his residence. A search warrant was obtained for search of Thierry’s residence and upon execution, officers recovered a loaded Guardian .25 caliber pistol, as well as a box of .25 caliber ammunition. Because he was a convicted felon, it was illegal for Thierry to have a firearm or ammunition in his possession.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.
Robert Edward Wright, 68, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of firearms. This charge stems from an incident that occurred on August 6, 2020 when deputies from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic violence call. When deputies arrived on the scene, they learned that Wright had shoved a female and grabbed her by the throat with both hands. While at the residence, deputies found two loaded firearms in the residence, a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun and a Remington 770 rifle. Wright’s girlfriend admitted to deputies that she had purchased the firearms at the direction of Wright because he knew as a convicted felon he could not purchase one or have any in his possession. Wright has prior felony convictions for aggravated burglary in Louisiana and DWI in Texas prohibiting him from possessing any firearms or ammunition.
The case was investigated by the ATF and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.
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Trafficking of Methamphetamine Results in 18+ Year Federal Prison Sentence for Lafayette Area ManRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Joshua Cade Labit, 37, of Rayne, Louisiana was sentenced today by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 220 months (18 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Labit was indicted by a federal grand jury in Lafayette and he pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on January 13, 2022.
According to evidence introduced in court, during the early morning hours on March 10, 2021, law enforcement agents conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle near Crowley, Louisiana. Labit was a passenger in the vehicle and one of his co-defendants, William Tarleton, was driving. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and agents located multiple packages containing a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine, a box containing 12 bottles of promethazine/codeine syrup, and a small bag containing approximately 5 grams of marijuana. The methamphetamine was found inside a duffle bag on the floorboard. The approximate weight of the methamphetamine was 2.65 kilograms.
At the guilty plea hearing on June 2, 2022, Labit admitted that he conspired with Tarleton and others to purchase the methamphetamine for future distribution.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.
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Alexandria Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Treymon Daykeem Reed, 29, of Alexandria, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 72 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of firearms.
Reed was indicted in February 2022 and pled guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on August 10, 2022. The charges stem from two separate incidents that occurred in the Alexandria area. The first occurred on September 15, 2020 when an officer with the Alexandria Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Reed. During the stop, officers smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and asked if there was any inside. Reed told officers that he had thrown it out the window and consented to a search of the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, officers found a large bag of marijuana, 62 marijuana cigarettes, 194 oxycodone pills and a Sig Sauer 9mm magazine with two rounds of ammunition.
The second incident occurred on February 1, 2021 when an officer with the Alexandria Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle for running a stop sign. The driver was determined to be Reed. When Reed stepped out of the vehicle, the officer noticed Reed had a large object in his pants pocket. A pat down was performed, and officers discovered two large bags of suspected marijuana in his pants pocket. Officers later also recovered a loaded Glock 9mm pistol and $13,000 cash between the driver’s seat and center console.
Reed had prior felony convictions for second degree battery in 2013 and assault by drive-by shooting in 2009 and was therefore, prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. The firearms and ammunition recovered from both traffic stops were analyzed by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The case was investigated by the ATF and Alexandria Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.
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Production of Sexually Explicit Photos of Minor Females Leads to Lengthy Prison Sentence for Lafayette ManRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jody Osmer, 38, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge David C. Joseph. Osmer received a sentence of 235 months (19 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for production of child pornography.
This investigation began when law enforcement officers with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) received a cyber tip regarding distribution of child pornography associated with Osmer. On April 13, 2021, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at his residence in Lafayette and found him to be in possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors. Osmer later admitted to agents that he had used social media to communicate with minor females in an effort to meet them in person and engage in sexual relations.
Through their investigation, agents learned that between October 2014 and January 2017, two minor females had communicated with Osmer via cell phone applications and had sent sexually explicit images of themselves via cell phone with Osmer at his request. In addition, Osmer admitted that he met one of the minor victims and engaged in sex with her. Osmer pleaded guilty to coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct and agreed that he did so with the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.
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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Guilty Plea Entered in Case Involving Illegal Distribution of Narcotics in Mansfield, LouisianaRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Debra E. Craig, 66, of Converse, Louisiana, entered a guilty plea today before Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to one count of obtaining controlled substances by fraud.
Craig worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse Medical Assistant at the DeSoto Regional Health System in Mansfield, Louisiana and was assigned to work with Dr. Jeffrey L. Evans.
Dr. Evans convinced Craig to illegally fill prescriptions for hydrocodone-acetaminophen on his behalf by indicating to her that he needed medication to treat pain. Dr. Evans would write prescriptions to Craig in the name of “Debbie Craig” for 100 dosage units of hydrocodone-acetaminophen 10-325 mg and would provide cash to Craig to be used to pay for the prescriptions at Mansfield Drug Company in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. After filling the prescriptions, Craig would provide all the hydrocodone-acetaminophen to Dr. Evans. Hydrocodone-acetaminophen is a Schedule II controlled substance. One of the fraudulent prescriptions was filled at Mansfield Drug Company on September 18, 2020 and is the basis for the guilty plea entered today. The prescription was for 100 tablets of hydrocodone-acetaminophen 10-325 mg, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Craig faces up to 4 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing date will be set at a later time.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and was prosecuted by Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the United States Attorney, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Shannon.
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U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown Announces Election Day Program to Prevent Voter Fraud and Protect Voting RightsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/MONROE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Cytheria Jernigan and Karen King will lead the efforts of this office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSAs Jernigan and King have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the Western District of Louisiana, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
“The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs/DEOs Jernigan and King will be on duty in this district while the polls are open. AUSA Jernigan can be reached by the public at our Shreveport office at 318-676-3600 and AUSA King can be reached at our Lafayette office at 337-262-6618.”
For those who may have complaints regarding violations in the Shreveport, Monroe, and Alexandria areas, please contact AUSA Cytheria Jernigan at 318-676-3600. Those who may have complaints involving violations in the Lafayette or Lake Charles areas, please contact AUSA Karen King at 337-262-6618. You can also email us with any complaints at: [email protected].
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public in Shreveport at 318-861-1890, Monroe at 318-387-0773, Alexandria at 318-443-5097, Lafayette at 337-233-2164 and Lake Charles at 318-433-6353.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov.
United States Attorney Brown stated: “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
For more information about federal elections, please go to our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/election-fraud and click on the Federal Election Fact Sheet.
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