Western District of Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Deray Montrez Richard, 38 of Bastrop, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 228 months (19 years) in prison in connection with a human trafficking case. Richard was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $9,000.

“This is another case of a defendant taking advantage of vulnerable individuals in our society for selfish reasons,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “We know that there are many other instances of human trafficking and forced labor across our district and we are committed to funneling resources toward combating such heinous activity.”

According to evidence presented to the court, Richard met a 20-year-old female (Victim 1) on Facebook in the fall of 2020 and he convinced her to travel with him. In December 2020, Richard and another female (Victim 2) drove to Kentucky to pick up Victim 1 in order to prostitute for Richard. Once they picked her up, Richard and the two females drove to Mesquite, Texas where they got two hotel rooms. While in Mesquite, at Richard’s direction, Victim 1 saw several johns and performed sexual acts in exchange for money. Richard kept the money and in fact physically assaulted and forced Victim 1 to engage in prostitution.  Richard left Mesquite with the two female victims, arrived in Bossier City, Louisiana on December 12, 2020, and rented two rooms at a local hotel. While in Bossier City, Richard directed Victim 1 to post escort ads on the internet advertising sexual services. He later got into an argument with Victim 1 that escalated to him beating her.

On December 13, 2020, Richard and the two female victims moved to another hotel in Bossier City and rented two rooms. While there, both female victims saw several johns and performed sexual acts at Richard’s direction. Later that day, Richard began to physically assault both female victims at the hotel. Victim 1 was able to flee the room and report the fight to the hotel clerk, then ran to a nearby convenience store for assistance. Officers with the Bossier City Police Department arrived, and Richard was arrested. After further investigation by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Richard was indicted by a federal grand jury on human trafficking charges. Richard pleaded guilty to a charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion in February 2023.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Bossier City Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Two men involved in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine have been sentenced in the Western District of Louisiana, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Robert Joseph Gant, 57, of Jennings, and Randall Tyler, 38, of Lake Charles as follows:

Robert Joseph Gant was sentenced to 210 months (17 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Gant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

Randall Tyler was sentenced to 162 months (13 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by5 years of supervised release. Tyler pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The charges in this case stem from an investigation by agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which began in 2018 and continued through 2020, into the drug trafficking activities of Gant and Tyler, along with other co-conspirators. Law enforcement agents conducted surveillance and received approval to intercept wire communications to and from a co-defendant’s telephone. Through their monitoring of calls and messages sent from that telephone, as well as surveillance and other investigative techniques, agents learned that both Gant and Tyler, as well as other co-conspirators, were selling and distributing narcotics in the south Louisiana area.

Through their further investigation, law enforcement agents obtained evidence that Gant and Tyler were communicating with other co-conspirators regarding the type and quantity of narcotics that would be delivered to Gant and Tyler after this co-conspirator returned to Louisiana from Mexico.  Agents were able to track the shipment of these narcotics and obtained search warrants for Gant’s residence and other stash houses. Upon execution of these search warrants, agents recovered approximately 1,017 grams of fentanyl, 260 grams of heroin and 320 grams of methamphetamine. Tyler and Gant were charged along with 14 others, in this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation named “Inspired Wrath.”

The case was investigated by the DEA, FBI, Eunice Police Department, Lafayette Police Department, and Louisiana State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

This effort is part of an ongoing OCDETF operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that four defendants who were charged in an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation with conspiring to sell methamphetamine in the Shreveport area have all now been sentenced. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced the defendants as follows:

Frederick Cortez Walker, 33, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 292 months (24 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Felecia B. Walker, 50, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 270 months (22 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Mario T. Nash, 42, of Haughton, Louisiana, was sentenced to 120 months (10 years)  in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Alana M. Taravella, 40, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 147 months (12 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging all four defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and each of them have pleaded guilty to the charge. Felecia B. Walker and Alana M. Taravella each also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  In addition, five firearms were seized from Taravella and forfeited.

According to evidence presented to the court, beginning on or about March 1, 2021, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) begin an investigation into the suspect drug trafficking activities of these defendants. The DEA was able to obtain approval to intercept phone calls on Frederick C. Walker’s phone. Agents intercepted phone calls between Walker, Felecia Walker, and others, in which they discussed the purchase and sale of methamphetamine.  Specifically, a call was intercepted by agents on June 14, 2021 wherein the Walkers discussed the shipment of methamphetamine in the mail via UPS. Agents were able to seize the package and discovered approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine.

On June 10, 2021, agents intercepted a call wherein Frederick Walker arranged to distribute methamphetamine to an unknown subject. Agents set up surveillance to monitor the transaction and after it was complete, conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle. The driver was identified as Mario Nash. A search of his vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 488.7 gross grams of methamphetamine which was located wrapped in plastic inside the center console of the vehicle. Mario admitted to agents that he had purchased the narcotics from Frederick Walker.

On June 22, 2021, a search warrant was obtained for Frederick and Felecia Walker’s residence. At their residence, officers located approximately 1042.2 gross grams of marijuana, 949.4 gross grams of methamphetamine, a Ruger AR-556, an assortment of magazines including extended magazines, ammunition, and digital scales. Felecia Walker admitted to agents during an interview that the methamphetamine would be mailed to her via the mail and then she or Frederick Walker would mail the money for the methamphetamine to the supplier. Felecia Walker would then distribute the narcotics as directed by Frederick Walker.

On June 23, 2021, a search warrant was obtained for Taravella’s residence and during the search, agents recovered a Taurus 709 Slim 9mm handgun, a DPMS A-15 firearm, over $8,000 in cash, methamphetamine, packaging materials, and digital scales. In the vehicle parked outside of Taravella’s residence, agents found a Taurus G2C 9mm with extended magazine and ammunition, a Taurus PT738 .380 firearm with magazine and ammunition, a stolen Sig Sauer P365 9mm firearm with magazine and ammunition and 325 gross grams of methamphetamine. Taravella admitted to obtaining methamphetamine from Frederick Walker and distributing it to others.

The case was investigated by the DEA, Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, and Louisiana State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of three defendants in connection with cases involving the trafficking of narcotics and illegal possession of a firearm. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced the following individuals:

Cedric Bell, 55, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 180 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug and firearms charges. On August 20, 2021, a Caddo Parish Probation Officer searched Bell’s clothing and found a digital scale and cash in his pockets. When questioned by the officer, Bell admitted that he had some pills in his car and consented to a search of the vehicle. While searching Bell’s vehicle, officers found at least 50 grams of methamphetamine, a Taurus pistol, a Taurus revolver, and ammunition. Officers then searched Bell’s home and found ten more firearms, including two short-barreled rifles and a silencer. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined the firearms and determined they functioned as designed. Bell admitted to possession of the methamphetamine with intent to distribute and carrying and using firearms during a drug trafficking offense.  

The case was investigated by the ATF and Caddo Parish Office of Probation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.

Demetrius Sumner, 44, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on firearms charges. Sumner went to a local pawn shop in Shreveport in July 2021 and attempted to purchase four firearms. While completing the ATF Form 4473 to purchase the firearms, Sumner indicated on the form that he had not been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. When in truth and in fact, Sumner had been convicted of a domestic violence charge in Clark County, Nevada on August 3, 2017. After waiting several days and not receiving an answer on Sumner’s background check to purchase the firearms, the pawn shop released them to Sumner. However, ten days later, the pawn shop received information denying Sumner’s application check due to his prior conviction. Law enforcement agents got the firearms back from Sumner and he admitted to making a false statement to a firearms dealer about his prior conviction. 

The case was investigated by the ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath.

In a separate and unrelated case, United States Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Julius Bernard Washington, 39, of Natchitoches, Louisiana to 70 months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine.  In October 2021, Washington sold methamphetamine to an individual which was later seized by law enforcement agents. The total amount of actual methamphetamine distributed by Washington was approximately 301.5 grams.  Washington pleaded guilty to the charge on January 25, 2023.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg.

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LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA, La. – Three defendants have been sentenced in the Lafayette and Alexandria Divisions in the Western District of Louisiana today for drug trafficking and firearms charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.

United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Damien Romain Lavalais, 42, of Bunkie, Louisiana, to 262 months (21 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 5 years supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine. This charge is the result of an investigation by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into the drug trafficking activities of Lavalais. In July 2021, an undercover controlled purchase of methamphetamine was coordinated by agents with Lavalais. The meeting with him was monitored and recorded wherein he sold approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine to the individual. The narcotics were sent to the crime lab for analysis and confirmed to be methamphetamine with a purity level of 98%. Lavalais pleaded guilty to the charge on January 3, 2023.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.

United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced Courtney Nacol Smith, 48, of Katy, Texas, to 60 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. Evidence introduced in court revealed that Smith conspired with others from August 2019 through January 2021 to distribute narcotics, including cocaine and cocaine base in south Louisiana. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began their investigation into this drug trafficking organization in 2018 through the use of controlled purchases of narcotics with confidential sources, as well as the interception of wire communications between the defendants in this organization, including Smith. Surveillance by law enforcement agents observed one of Smith’s co-conspirators, Shawn D. White, travel to Texas from Louisiana to obtain drugs from Smith at his residence and another residence in the Houston area. White departed Smith’s residence in Texas and upon crossing the state line back into Louisiana, was stopped for a traffic violation. During a search of his vehicle, officers found one kilogram of cocaine wrapped in cellophane, electrical tape, and in a vacuum sealed bag concealed inside the car. Smith admitted to knowingly and willfully making an agreement with White and others to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. Smith pleaded guilty to the charge on February 16, 2023.

The case was investigated by the DEA, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Louisiana State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

These cases are part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

In a separate case, Scotty Latiolais, 51, of Erath, Louisiana was sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 110 months (9 years, 2 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. This charge stems from a discovery made by a law enforcement agent of a firearm in an outside area near the residence of Latiolais wherein a search warrant had been executed the day before. On June 17, 2020, law enforcement officers executed an arrest warrant for Latiolais and a search warrant for his residence. When officers first encountered Latiolais on the property, he led them on a brief foot chase before being apprehended. During the subsequent search of his residence, officers found and seized suspected methamphetamine, a digital scale, and a Night Owl 16 channel digital video recorder (DVR). Officers obtained a search warrant for the DVR device and later found a video of Latiolais handling a pistol on the property. Latiolais pleaded guilty on February 2, 2023, and admitted to possessing the firearm on June 17, 2020, despite the fact that he has a prior felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in 2019 and knew that he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

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MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of two separate drug trafficking cases from the Monroe Division in the Western District of Louisiana today. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the following defendants:

Jacque Pierre Young, 30, of Arcadia, was sentenced to 324 months (27 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Agents with the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team obtained a search warrant for an apartment on East California Avenue in Ruston, Louisiana, based on evidence they had obtained. When officers arrived at the house, they found Young in a bedroom in the apartment. Inside that bedroom, agents found a total of 80 grams of methamphetamine, as well as 54 grams of crack cocaine.  A loaded EAA Girsan MC28 9mm handgun was also located in an open storage bin in the bedroom. The narcotics were submitted to the DEA lab for testing and the results indicated the methamphetamine to be 97% pure and the crack cocaine to be 54 grams of cocaine base. Young admitted that the drugs and firearm belonged to him and that he intended to sell the drugs. He pleaded guilty to the charges on February 2, 2023.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Gaskins.

In a separate and unrelated case, Marianno Goldsmith, 37, and Thomas Boswell, 32, both of Florida, were each sentenced to 151 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Both defendants pleaded guilty in January 2023 to the charge. Evidence presented to the court revealed that on May 16, 2022, a trooper with the Louisiana State Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on I-20 near Richland Parish which was being driven by Goldsmith and Boswell was the sole passenger. The traffic stop led to a search of the vehicle and law enforcement officers found two duffle bags in the trunk containing suspected methamphetamine. The narcotics were submitted to the lab for testing and the results confirmed that the substance was methamphetamine with a net weight of approximately 29,213 grams.

The case was investigated by the DEA and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.

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MONROE, La. – Paul Anthony Lewis, 50, of West Monroe, was sentenced today on numerous drug trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Lewis to 240 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Lewis was convicted by a jury in February of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl; and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl. Evidence introduced at trial revealed that 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 packages that were delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to that address. During a subsequent search of the house, law enforcement agents found large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base also known as crack cocaine, and promethazine inside. In addition, Lewis used his telephone to negotiate drug trafficking transactions with unindicted co-conspirators in Texas and in the Western District of Louisiana.

“The choices of this defendant to continue to possess and distribute a buffet of illegal substances, even after having spent time in federal prison before, has resulted in him now spending the later years of his life behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon Br. Brown. “We continue to stand by our commitment to make it a priority in the Western District of Louisiana to have zero tolerance for those who choose to sell narcotics, especially the most dangerous narcotic of all, fentanyl.”

Lewis has a lengthy criminal history, including a federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base in the Eastern District of Louisiana in 2001 when he was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison.

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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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Fredarius D. Jackson, 25, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for being a convicted felon in possession of firearms. Jackson was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On May 29, 2021, Jackson was arrested outside of a residence on Dove Street in Shreveport by officers with the Shreveport Police Department. During his arrest, officers found Jackson to be in possession of a Taurus 9mm pistol, a TNW Firearms ASR rifle with a 50-round drum magazine and other ammunition. At the time of Jackson’s arrest, he was serving a period of state probation for a felony offense and knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined and tested the firearms and found them to be operational.

The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. 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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ALEXANDRIA, La. – Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown of the Western District of Louisiana, and Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office, announced that a Louisiana man was sentenced today to 35 years in prison for conspiracy to commit forced labor and transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution of $979,800 to the victims.

Between June 2016 and May 2019, Darnell Fulton, 39, of Pineville, used violence, sexual abuse, withholding of food, degradation, and intimidation to coerce multiple minors to work for his brownie baking business and provide him the profits. The defendant required the victims to travel to as many as 20 to 30 locations a day, such as plazas, car dealerships, law firms, restaurants, and parking lots, to sell brownies. The victims worked late into the night either selling or baking the brownies and sold them during the day. In fact, the victims typically worked seven days a week with very few breaks and had to meet a daily sales quota the defendant set. The defendant regularly assaulted the victims because he was not satisfied with their daily work performance, especially if they did not meet his projected sales daily quota. For example, the defendant frequently required the victims to stay in a push up or plank position for hours, and he often whipped them with a belt if they got out of proper form. The defendant also made the minor victims perform sexual acts with him and transported them across state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity with him.

“Forced labor, especially when it involves sexual abuse of children, violence, and mental and physical anguish, is heinous conduct that has no place in our society today. The defendant mercilessly exploited children for his own financial gain and personal gratification, and we will not tolerate it,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This sentence demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to standing up for the survivors of forced labor schemes.  We will not only pursue and prosecute human and child traffickers, but also seek restitution and use those funds to help survivors rebuild and reclaim their lives.”

“The defendant’s actions in this case were deplorable and despicable,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “Forced labor is a form of modern-day slavery and we have a duty to protect the most vulnerable of our society. He had no hesitation in torturing and demoralizing these victims, his own children. We are grateful for this sentence and hope that the victims can begin the healing process. This defendant is a danger to society, has no regard for human life, and we believe it is appropriate that he will be spending a long time in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.”

“Mr. Fulton’s guilty plea and the sentencing today should be of great comfort to the victims of his depravity,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “We thank our partners, the Alexandria Police Department, United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, and DOJ’s Civil Rights Division for their assistance in this case. We will continue the work of rooting out those who seek to target minors for their own bizarre obsessions.”

The case was investigated by the FBI and Alexandria Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit in Washington, DC.

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 Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown and the staff of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana mourn the passing of Senior United States District Court Judge Michael J. Juneau and issue the following statement:

“Judge Michael J. Juneau was a great American jurist and the consummate professional on and off the bench exhibiting textbook judicial temperament, especially when faced with tense situations during litigation. While in private practice, he was well known and respected throughout the state for being highly skilled in complex civil litigation. Although his time with us on the bench in the Western District of Louisiana was brief by Article III federal judge standards, it was impactful, and he will be missed. The employees of the Western District of Louisiana’s United States Attorney’s Office will keep his wife, Becky, and their children, lifted in prayer and our thoughts during this difficult time.”

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, along with other civic and community leaders from the Shreveport area held meetings this week to develop strategies together to help one another as the violent crime in the Shreveport area continues.

In October 2021, the City of Shreveport was chosen to participate in the National Public Safety Partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The national PSP initiative that the City of Shreveport is involved in provides an innovative framework to enhance federal support of state and local law enforcement and prosecution authorities to reduce violent crime. The City of Shreveport was chosen to participate after an application was made in an effort to assist these leaders to fight violent crime. The PSP is a three-year program that is designed to promote interagency coordination between law enforcement agencies and to support communities that struggle with levels of violent crime far in excess of the national average and that would benefit from the DOJ’s support in developing their own capacities.

This week’s PSP Strategic Planning meeting was an opportunity for civic and community leaders, along with local and state law enforcement, as well as federal and state prosecutors, to get together in one room and make a list of problems to address and work on strategies to address those problems.  This is one of the steps in the PSP process whereby all of these leaders get together and discuss problems, plans for solutions and strategies to address them and is a cooperative effort of these groups to continue to combat violent crime in the Shreveport area.

“I am excited to take advantage of the law enforcement and non-law enforcement expertise, experience and extensiveness of the DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) through its PSP program,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The application process of Shreveport being designated as a PSP city was a very competitive process and we, along with the District Attorney’s office, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and our federal investigative agencies have been having law enforcement-based meetings with BJA for over a year leading up to this point. Now we’re ready for the next phase as we integrate relevant community partners such as Caddo Parish juvenile services, Shreveport city workforce development, Caddo Parish Schools, and other city/parish government related stakeholders.  It is extremely refreshing to see the cohesion and support among our federal, state, and local partners as we proceed with formulating a violent crime prevention, rehabilitation and intervention approach going forward to supplement our law enforcement strategy.”

“The National Public Safety Partnership has assisted jurisdictions across America meet their most pressing violent crime challenges,” stated BJA’s Director Karhlton F. Moore. “This critical crime reduction program brings together components from across the Department of Justice to support local strategies designed to combat violent crime, strengthen communities, build bonds of trust, and deliver on the promise of public safety. The success of this program in Shreveport lies in the strong partnership between the community, Shreveport Police Department, United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance.”

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith commented: “Our community faces unique challenges with regard to crimes as do other cities across the country. I am very encouraged and embrace the greater possibilities and opportunities brought about by partnerships with our federal, state, local and community stakeholders to work together collaboratively and combine resources to improve the quality of life in Shreveport. We are much stronger together and this strategic planning session has helped all of us to establish agreed upon direction moving forward, along with strategies and action plans to accomplish a specific goal, which is safety in our community. I am eternally grateful to everyone that participated in this two-day strategic planning session for the Shreveport community.”

Caddo Parish Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts stated: “Since receiving the award in 2021, we have worked collaboratively for solutions to improve our violent crime related issues. This opportunity has led us to develop and expand plans with our community stakeholders through prevention and implementation strategies. We are at a pivotal point in our history where we must maximize our strengths and acknowledge our challenges. Our mission is to make our communities safer by reducing our current statistics and providing hope for our future generations.”

Agencies in attendance at this week’s meetings included representatives from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Shreveport Police Department, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux, select Department Heads from the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office, Caddo Parish Juvenile Court, Caddo Parish Commission, Shreveport Fire Department, Shreveport City Marshal, Caddo Parish School Board Security, Louisiana State Police, Ochsner LSU, FBI, ATF, DEA, and U.S. Marshal Service.

Regular monthly meetings will be held with these agencies and civic and community groups to address violent crime strategies from a law enforcement standpoint and a non-law enforcement standpoint. Some of the strategies include rehabilitation efforts and reentry of offenders back into the community.

In addition to leadership from local and federal partners, DOJ dedicates specific individuals to support each PSP site throughout the three-year engagement, to include a retired law enforcement executive, a DOJ Program Office Champion to serve as the point of contact for the site, federal law enforcement partners, and a program advisor. PSP federal law enforcement partners include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).

PSP serves as a Department of Justice Department initiative that enables communities to receive coordinated training and technical assistance and an array of resources from the Department’s programmatic and law enforcement components. In addition to Shreveport, Louisiana, the other sites that were selected included: Antioch, California; Aurora, Colorado; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Gary, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; North Charleston/ Charleston, South Carolina; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; and Richmond, Virginia.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. – Two men convicted of receipt of child pornography appeared in federal court today for sentencing, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Terrence Landry and Steven M. Stinnett as follows:

Terrence Landry, 34, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 210 months (17 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. In May 2020, agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation received a complaint from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possible distribution of child pornography originating in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Further investigation by agents revealed that the subscriber of the IP address associated with the images of child pornography was Landry. Agents obtained a search warrant and subsequently searched the residence of Landry. Numerous computers and electronic equipment belonging to Landry were seized and analyzed by law enforcement. Agents determined that those electronic devices contained over 5,000 still images and more than 400 videos containing child pornography, some of which depicted prepubescent children engaged in sexual activity with adults. Landry admitted to receiving specific images via the internet in May 2016, knowing that they contained child pornography. Landry pleaded guilty to the charge of receipt of child pornography on April 13, 2022.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Louisiana Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

Steven M. Stinnett, 51, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, a former associate professor at McNeese State University, was sentenced to 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. On November 17, 2022, law enforcement officers in Calcasieu Parish executed a search warrant at the residence of Stinnett. Officers seized computers and electronic equipment during the search. Agents with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations conducted a forensic review of Stinnett’s computer and found numerous images and videos containing child sexual abuse material. Stinnett admitted that one of the child pornography images was received via the internet in April 2017 and depicted a prepubescent female in a sexually explicit manner. Stinnett admitted to having 228 still images and 57 videos containing child sexual abuse material in his possession.  Stinnett pleaded guilty to a charge of receipt of child pornography on February 3, 2023.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and McNeese State University Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

These cases are 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, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two men from Shreveport were sentenced today by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for illegally possessing drugs and firearms.

Eric Lamar Wimbley, 51, was sentenced to 168 months (14 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  On April 13, 2022, officers with the Louisiana Division of Probation and Parole and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a parole search of a vehicle being used by Wimbley. While searching the vehicle, officers found approximately 1.320 grams of cocaine, 107.7 grams of cocaine base, and 125.67 grams of methamphetamine-based tablets, all packaged for distribution. Also inside the vehicle was a bag containing digital scales, razor blades with cocaine residue, packaging material, and a loaded 9mm handgun. Officers also found Wimbley to be in possession of the key fob to the vehicle. He was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm. Wimbley pleaded guilty in December 2022 to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.     

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.

In a separate case, Demetrius Johnson, Jr., 23, was sentenced to 66 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for illegal possession of marijuana and a firearm. On March 14, 2022, officers with the Shreveport Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Johnson. When approaching the vehicle, the officer detected the smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and detained Johnson. A K-9 unit was called and alerted to the front driver’s seat and a search of the vehicle was conducted. During the search, officers located a Century Arms Draco pistol under the passenger seat of his vehicle, as well as a backpack containing approximately 200 grams of marijuana in separate bags, packaging material, and a digital scale. A 9mm Glock magazine was also found in the vehicle. The narcotics were sent to the crime laboratory for testing and was confirmed to be marijuana. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) tested the firearm and it was determined to be a functional firearm which had traveled in interstate commerce. 

The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

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MONROE, La. - Michael Ansezell Tolliver, 57, of Monroe, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty for money laundering in connection with a fraudulent scheme to obtain more than $1.1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program loans. Tolliver was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. In addition, Tolliver was ordered to pay $1,114,724 in restitution.

“The significant sentence handed down today demonstrates that those who steal from COVID-19 relief programs for personal gain will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “We remain committed to rooting out bad actors who took advantage of federal programs meant to help those small businesses truly in need.”

“This defendant stole over $1 million through fraudulent means and used those funds to support his own personal lifestyle, taking from those whose legitimate businesses were suffering from losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Federal programs such as these are set up to help those in need, not to benefit those who do not.  It is a priority for our office to prosecute those who obtain these benefits illegally. We look forward to continued collaboration with the DOJ’s fraud section in aggressively investigating similar crimes related to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In December 2022, Tolliver pled guilty to one count of money laundering. According to court documents, Tolliver submitted nine fraudulent PPP and EIDL Program loan applications on behalf of several purported companies that Tolliver owned, including Tolliver Oil & Gas Corporation of Louisiana, Inc. and Tolliver Petroleum Corporation of Louisiana. Tolliver falsified information in the loan applications and supporting documents, including falsely claiming that some of his businesses had over 100 employees. He also submitted falsified federal tax returns.

“Mr. Tolliver chose greed over compassion by fraudulently obtaining funds from the PPP and EIDL programs established to assist employers severely impacted by the pandemic,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Tolliver’s sentence today should stand as a warning to those who fraudulently received or may have attempted to fraudulently receive funds intended to help businesses during the COVID epidemic.”

“This result reveals the excellence achieved through the combined efforts of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to uncover and forcefully respond to PPP and EIDL fraud,” said Special Counsel Peggy Delinois Hamilton of the SBA. “SBA is strongly committed to identifying and aggressively pursuing instances of fraud perpetrated by those who took advantage of small business emergency relief programs. We applaud the work that our law enforcement partners have done to ensure fraudsters are held accountable.”

In total, Tolliver sought more than $7.6 million in PPP and EIDL Program loans and obtained more than $1.1 million. Tolliver then laundered and misused the loan proceeds, including by transferring the funds to personal bank accounts and purchasing luxury goods. Authorities seized approximately $128,500 from bank accounts, as well as a 2020 Cadillac CT5 sedan, a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 truck, two Tissot watches, two Tag Heuer watches, and three Honda all-terrain vehicles.

The case was investigated by the IRS-CI and SBA and prosecuted by Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana.

The Fraud Section leads the department’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the PPP began, Fraud Section attorneys have prosecuted more than 100 defendants in more than 70 criminal cases. The Fraud Section has also seized more than $65 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.

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’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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A Louisiana man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for money laundering in connection with a fraudulent scheme to obtain more than $1.1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program loans.

“The significant sentence handed down today demonstrates that those who steal from COVID-19 relief programs for personal gain will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “We remain committed to rooting out bad actors who took advantage of federal programs meant to help those small businesses truly in need.”

“This defendant stole over $1 million through fraudulent means and used those funds to support his own personal lifestyle, taking from those whose legitimate businesses were suffering from losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “Federal programs such as these are set up to help those in need, not to benefit fraudsters. It is a priority for our office to prosecute those who obtain these benefits illegally. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section in aggressively investigating similar crimes related to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to court documents, Michael Ansezell Tolliver, 57, of Monroe, submitted nine fraudulent PPP and EIDL Program loan applications on behalf of several purported companies that Tolliver owned, including Tolliver Oil & Gas Corporation of Louisiana Inc. and Tolliver Petroleum Corporation of Louisiana. Tolliver falsified information in the loan applications and supporting documents, including falsely claiming that some of his businesses had over 100 employees. He also submitted falsified federal tax returns.

“Mr. Tolliver chose greed over compassion by fraudulently obtaining funds from the PPP and EIDL programs established to assist employers severely impacted by the pandemic,” said Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Atlanta Field Office. “Tolliver’s sentence today should stand as a warning to those who fraudulently received or may have attempted to fraudulently receive funds intended to help businesses during the COVID epidemic.”

“This result reveals the excellence achieved through the combined efforts of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to uncover and forcefully respond to PPP and EIDL fraud,” said Special Counsel Peggy Delinois Hamilton of the SBA. “SBA is strongly committed to identifying and aggressively pursuing instances of fraud perpetrated by those who took advantage of small business emergency relief programs. We applaud the work that our law enforcement partners have done to ensure fraudsters are held accountable.”

In total, Tolliver sought more than $7.6 million in PPP and EIDL Program loans and obtained more than $1.1 million. Tolliver then laundered and misused the loan proceeds, including by transferring the funds to personal bank accounts and purchasing luxury goods. Authorities seized approximately $128,500 from bank accounts, as well as a 2020 Cadillac CT5 sedan, a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 truck, two Tissot watches, two Tag Heuer watches, and three Honda all-terrain vehicles.

The IRS-CI and SBA investigated the case.

Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg for the Western District of Louisiana prosecuted the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 200 defendants in more than 130 criminal cases and has seized over $78 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.

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’s response to the pandemic, please visit 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 www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jacob Conrad De La Paz is in federal custody pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by United States Magistrate Judge David J. Ayo on a federal criminal complaint for attempted production of child pornography. An initial appearance will be held in the John M. Shaw United States Courthouse on May 1, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.  He has been held without bond.

Following the initial appearance, a detention hearing will be held later in the week and the government will argue that De La Paz be held without bond pending a formal charging decision and possible presentment of the case to a federal grand jury. Pursuant to federal law, this must take place within 30 days of the arrest date and the government will continue its investigation, while evaluating all evidence.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact HSI at 337-262-6619.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. - Joseph Randall Boswell, Sr., 53, of Elizabeth, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday for committing bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Boswell to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Judge Cain ordered that a hearing be held on June 27, 2023, to determine restitution.

Boswell was convicted of these crimes by a federal jury in Lake Charles on September 19, 2022. Evidence presented at the trial established that Boswell knowingly and fraudulently concealed property from the United States Bankruptcy Trustee and his creditors through his Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case which he filed in September 2011. Specifically, Boswell concealed monies earned from nominee business and service contracts that could have been paid to his creditors. He attempted to defraud the government by withholding information from the Bankruptcy Court regarding the amount of income he was actually making and property he had an interest in. The defendant was self-employed and withheld information from the court as to companies that he had control of through other family members. These companies were established in the names of other family members in an attempt to hide the fact that Boswell was controlling and manipulating the business activities for these companies and earning income through contracts negotiated by him.

Boswell was also convicted of attempting to evade and defeat payment of income taxes due and owing by him for the tax years 2001 through 2009. He concealed assets from the Internal Revenue Service by putting them in the names of other family members in order to avoid paying income taxes owed by him of over $597,000. 

“This defendant spent years of his life finding ways to avoid paying taxes and creditors that he borrowed money from through his web of lies and deception,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The agents and attorneys handling this case worked countless hours to untangle that web of lies that he wove, and I commend them for their tireless work in bringing him to justice. The bankruptcy and tax laws which have been established in this nation must be obeyed and we will continue to hold those who choose not to do that accountable.”

“Bankruptcy laws are in place to provide debtors a fresh start when they are honestly unable to pay their debts and obligations,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Boswell used these laws to avoid paying his creditors and taxes although he had the resources. His sentence today should be a warning to those seeking to fraudulently use bankruptcy laws to avoid paying their creditors.”

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the United States Trustee’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cytheria D. Jernigan and Earl M. Campbell.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Lafayette Physical Rehabilitation Hospital and its management company, Acadiana Management Group, LLC have agreed to pay $1.2 million, and Dr. Carolyn Smith agreed to pay $575,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary inpatient rehabilitation services. 

“This settlement demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that those who participate in federal healthcare programs follow the rules,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown.  “Billing for non-covered rehabilitation hospital stays results in a misuse of federal dollars.  The financial viability of our Medicare program must be protected for current and future generations.”

The United States alleged that from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2016, Dr. Smith admitted certain patients to Lafayette Physical Rehabilitation Hospital for whom inpatient rehabilitation treatment was not medically reasonable or necessary.  Dr. Smith repeatedly admitted these patients, often by putting improper pressure on the patients, and falsely certified that the patients met the applicable criteria for inpatient admission.  However,  the patients did not satisfy the criteria and did not need impatient rehabilitation services. 

“The Department Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) will continue to aggressively investigate health care providers who submit Medicare claims for medically unnecessary services,” said HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Jason Meadows. “Inpatient rehabilitation services are expensive, and Medicare dollars should be reserved for patients who need those services - not hospitals and physicians seeking to make easy money through improper billing.”

This civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistle blower provisions of the False Claims Act.  Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery.  The whistleblowers, Tamara Boyd and Nancy Morrill, former employees of LPRH, will receive over 20% of the settlement amount. 

The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana and HHS-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Theriot and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Edwards handled the litigation, along with HHS-OIG Special Agent Rita Bergeron. Special Agent Bergeron and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen King handled the investigation.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. 

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ALEXANDRIA, La. – Louis Vernon Jackson, 38, of Natchitoches, Louisiana, was convicted by a federal jury late yesterday, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty presided over the four-day trial in Alexandria. Jackson was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, felon in possession of firearms, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The jury acquitted Jackson of one count of possession with intent to distribute tramadol and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to evidence presented during trial, Vernon was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy with seven other co-defendants between December 1, 2019, through at least May 13, 2020. Agents began an investigation into these illegal drug trafficking activities of Jackson and his co-defendants. On April 16, 2020, while conducting surveillance, agents observed Jackson meet an individual at a Natchitoches motel and suspected them of selling drugs from this location. Jackson and the individual left in his vehicle and were subsequently stopped by law enforcement. Agents found keys to a room at the motel on Jackson’s person. Further investigation led to a search warrant being issued for the motel room and agents found a Marlin rifle, a loaded SCCY 9mm pistol, loaded extended magazines and ammunition inside the motel room. As a convicted felon, Jackson was prohibited from having any firearm or ammunition in his possession.

After his release on bond from the Natchitoches incident, on May 13, 2020, agents conducted surveillance of a hotel in the Alexandria area and observed Jackson at the hotel. Agents executed a search warrant of Jackson’s hotel room and found a large amount of methamphetamine and a digital scale, as well as over $11,000 in cash.

The remaining seven co-defendants have each pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in subsequent proceedings.

“This was the culmination of an investigation that spanned multiple federal districts from Louisiana to Mississippi, and we are grateful for this joint investigation and the jury’s work in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This defendant has a history of selling illegal narcotics which will result in a sentencing enhancement. We look forward to the anticipated sentencing hearing where each of the defendants in this case will be held  accountable for their actions. We will not tolerate the distribution of methamphetamine and illegal firearm possession in the Western District of Louisiana.”

Jackson faces a minimum sentence of 15 years up to life in prison on each of the drug charges due to a sentencing enhancement based on his past criminal history. He also faces up to 10 years in prison on the firearms charge, a total of up to 15 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $20,000,000. 

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cytheria D. Jernigan and Brian C. Flanagan.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown joins with the Department of Justice in announcing criminal charges against 18 defendants in 9 federal districts across the United States for their alleged participation in various fraud schemes involving health care services that exploited the COVID-19 pandemic and allegedly resulted in over $490 million in COVID-19 related false billings to federal programs and theft from federally-funded pandemic programs.

In connection with the enforcement action, the department seized over $16 million in cash and other fraud proceeds. The Center for Program Integrity of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CPI/CMS) separately announced today that it took adverse administrative actions in the last year against an additional 28 medical providers for their alleged involvement in COVID-19 schemes.

U.S. Attorney Brown announced that Shaquaila Lewis, a/k/a Shaquaila Lewis-Chatman, 35, of Gibsland, Louisiana, was charged in the Western District of Louisiana by indictment with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1.1 million in funds under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which were low-interest financing to small businesses, renters and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. According to the indictment, Lewis, a registered nurse, caused the submission of numerous fraudulent loan applications that contained false statements regarding a purported business and the intended use of the loan funds. The funds were allegedly used for personal expenses, such as gambling and contracting work on her home. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard of the Gulf Coast Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought hardships to many American citizens and those who have chosen to abuse the assistance that was provided is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “We will continue to join with our federal and state and local partners to investigate and prosecute any who may have defrauded the government through these programs that were offered to help people.”

“The Justice Department will not tolerate those who exploited the pandemic for personal gain and stole taxpayer dollars,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This unprecedented enforcement action against defendants across the country makes clear that the Department is using every available resource to combat and prevent COVID-19 related fraud and safeguard the integrity of taxpayer-funded programs.”

“Today’s announcement marks the largest-ever coordinated law enforcement action in the United States targeting health care fraud schemes that exploit the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. “The Criminal Division’s Health Care Fraud Unit and our partners are committed to putting an end to pandemic-related fraud and holding accountable anyone seeking to profit from a public health emergency.”

The announcement today builds on the successes of the April 2022 COVID-19 Enforcement Action and the May 2021 COVID-19 Enforcement Action and involves the prosecution of various COVID-19 health care fraud schemes. In one of the most significant types of COVID-19 health care fraud scheme announced today, multiple defendants were charged with defrauding the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program.

The announcement also includes first-of-its-kind charges against suppliers of COVID-19 over-the-counter tests, which Medicare began to cover in April 2022 for beneficiaries who requested the tests. These kits were provided to the public to slow the spread of a deadly disease, but wrongdoers allegedly sought to exploit the program by repeatedly supplying patients, or, in some instances, deceased patients, with dozens of COVID-19 tests that they did not want or need.

Charges were also brought under the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Initiative. The PRF is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal law enacted in March 2020 that provided financial assistance to medical providers to provide needed medical care to Americans suffering from COVID-19.

Today’s enforcement action was led and coordinated by Assistant Chiefs Justin M. Woodard and Debra Jaroslawicz and Trial Attorney D. Keith Clouser of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Strike Forces in Brooklyn, the Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, and Tampa; the National Rapid Response Strike Force; and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Central District of California, Middle District of Florida, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, Western District of Louisiana, Eastern District of New York, District of Puerto Rico, District of Utah, and Western District of Washington are prosecuting these cases, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the department’s website at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit/2023-case-summaries.

Other agencies involved are the FBI and HHS-OIG, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, AMTRAK Office of Inspector General, California Department of Health Care Services, and other federal and state law enforcement agencies across the nation.

The Health Care Fraud Strike Force is part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to prevent and deter health care fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. In the past three years, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force has rooted out health care fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, 53 defendants have been charged in nationwide COVID-19 Health Care Fraud Enforcement Actions for causing over $784 million in loss associated with the pandemic, and 20 defendants have been convicted.

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’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.

An indictment, complaint, or information is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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LAKE CHARLES/LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that four defendants received lengthy sentences today for their participation in the trafficking of narcotics in the Lake Charles and Lafayette areas. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced two of the defendants in Lake Charles as follows:

Christopher Wayne Jones, II, 29, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 175 months (14 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release for possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl. On November 4, 2020, while patrolling an area near 18th Street in Lake Charles, Louisiana, an officer with the Lake Charles Police Department observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The officer activated his emergency lights and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle, later determined to be Jones, fled at a high rate of speed. After a short chase, Jones lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway, and struck a utility pole. Jones exited the vehicle holding a red backpack and fled the scene on foot. Officers gave chase and Jones was apprehended shortly thereafter and placed under arrest. After a brief search, officers found the red backpack that Jones had been carrying in a nearby backyard. Inside the backpack officers found approximately 554 pills which weighed approximately 282 grams. Lab reports revealed that the pills contained a mixture of acetaminophen and fentanyl. In addition to the narcotics found in Jones’ backpack, officers also found a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol in the front seat of his vehicle. Jones pleaded guilty to the charge on December 12, 2022. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and Lake Charles Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

Michael Javel Toefield, 52, of Baytown, Texas, was sentenced to 130 months (10 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On May 13, 2019, officers with the Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Task Force, Criminal Patrol Unit, conducted a traffic stop on May 13, 2019, of a vehicle which was driven by Toefield. A K-9 officer positively alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and officers began a search. During the search of the vehicle, officers discovered a white bag containing a cardboard Ultra beer box and inside were two clear plastic tubs containing over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Toefield admitted to knowing the drugs were hidden inside the box and pleaded guilty to the charge on November 12, 2022. The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Task Force and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced the following two defendants in Lafayette today:

Shane Christopher Malveaux, 51, of Eunice, Louisiana, was sentenced to 100 months (8 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiring with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. Malveaux pleaded guilty to the charge on November 29, 2022. According to information introduced in court, Malveaux was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy with others from August 2019 until January 2021. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into their organization and conducted controlled purchases from Malveaux’s co-conspirators. In addition, agents intercepted electronic communications between Malveaux and his co-conspirator, Shawn White, in which he purchased both powder cocaine and cocaine base from White on multiple occasions. Agents conducted physical and electronic surveillance of Malveaux and his drug trafficking activities, and he was charged with participating in the drug trafficking conspiracy.  The case was investigated by the DEA, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and Louisiana State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

Dallas Prejean, 60, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced to 113 months (9 years, 5 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Prejean was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy with several others and was charged in an indictment in October 2019. Through their investigation using physical and electronic surveillance of Prejean and his co-defendants, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) obtained evidence to secure a search warrant for a residence occupied by Prejean in Rayne, Louisiana. Agents found numerous firearms and large amounts of narcotics and other drug paraphernalia in the residence. Prejean admitted possession of the items to agents and pleaded guilty to the charge on October 13, 2021. The case was investigated by the FBI, DEA and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a pharmacy student and a licensed pharmacist with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, obtaining controlled substances by fraud, and distribution of a controlled substance.

The indictment charges Blair Guillory, 25, a pharmacy student at a university located in Monroe, Louisiana, and Brian Miller, 37, a licensed pharmacist who worked in pharmacies in Monroe and Ruston, Louisiana. The indictment alleges that beginning on or about June 11, 2022 and continuing until December 16, 2022, in the Western District of Louisiana, Guillory and Miller knowingly and intentionally conspired together to distribute Adderall and Vyvanse, both Schedule II controlled substances.

It is alleged in the indictment that Guillory received part of his education and training while working at Monroe area pharmacies, including one where Miller worked, and that is where they met. According to the indictment, Miller would see a medical provider to obtain prescriptions for Adderall and Vyvanse and would sell all or a portion of the drugs to Guillory, knowing that Guillory was going to sell the drugs to other individuals. In addition, it is alleged that Guillory would also see a medical provider to obtain prescriptions for Adderall and would sell all or a portion of the drugs to other individuals.

The indictment further alleges that Guillory would obtain prescription drugs from others and sell those drugs to students at the university where he attended pharmacy school in Monroe. Guillory would allegedly use Venmo and other mobile payment services to purchase and sell Schedule II controlled substances.

"Americans rely on pharmacies every day to legally dispense prescription medication to whom it is intended,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This region is also blessed to have a pharmacy school. Persons who are fortunate enough to work as pharmacists and those who have the chance to study pharmacy should not abuse these privileges. We allege that these persons acted illegally and look forward to proceeding with this case through the judicial process."

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, Guillory and Miller face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of two cases in the Lafayette Division of the Western District of Louisiana. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced the following individuals yesterday:

Charles Dirk Lafleur, 56, of Ville Platte, Louisiana, was sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography. The charges in this case stem from an investigation by an agent with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crimes Unit after a Cyber Tip Line Report was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report identified the upload of an image containing child pornography to a Microsoft OneDrive account and identified the unique user information associated with that account. Their investigation revealed that the image did in fact contain child pornography and a search warrant was obtained for the Microsoft OneDrive account. The search warrant identified the account user as Lafleur. After further investigation, another search warrant was obtained for Lafleur’s residence and was executed by law enforcement agents on November 7, 2018. Agents recovered eight of Lafleur’s electronic devices, which were analyzed and found to contain images and videos depicting child pornography, including depictions of pornography involving prepubescent minors under 12 years of age.  Lafleur was charged and pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on October 12, 2022.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crimes Unit and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

In a separate and unrelated case, Nathan Zenon, Jr., 39, of Youngsville, was sentenced by to 68 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm. On May 10, 2017, deputies with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office observed Zenon enter a residence in Youngsville and attempted to serve him with an outstanding arrest warrant at the residence.  After his arrest, Zenon admitted to deputies that he had marijuana in his vehicle and gave consent to search. Deputies recovered two small bags of marijuana, a digital scale, and a magazine for a .45 caliber firearm loaded with six rounds of ammunition. A search warrant was obtained to search the residence and inside deputies found a loaded Springfield 9mm pistol in the bedroom. A DNA analysis confirmed that Zenon could not be excluded as a contributor to the firearm. In addition, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) tested the firearm and found it to be functional and manufactured in Croatia and imported via Illinois, thus having been transported in interstate commerce. Zenon has prior felony convictions for possession of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana (2006), and knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. He pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on November 7, 2022.  

The case was investigated by the ATF and Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

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MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Howard Demartae Jackson, 27, of Ruston, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 170 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to evidence presented to the court, on or about May 25, 2022 while on patrol, an officer with the Ruston Police Department observed a man with a brown shoulder bag standing near the driver’s side of a vehicle near a gas station. The officer was suspicious of the activity and ran the license plate on the vehicle and learned that the driver’s license of the vehicle’s registered owner was suspended. The officer conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and the driver was confirmed to be the registered owner and she admitted that her license was suspended. Howard Jackson was identified as the passenger in the vehicle with the female. The officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside and a search of the vehicle was conducted. Officers and  found Jackson with a shoulder bag containing a loaded Smith and Wesson 40 caliber pistol, methamphetamine, marijuana, oxycodone, alprazolam, MDMA, plastic baggies, and a digital scale.  

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined and tested the firearm and found it to have been manufactured in Massachusetts and therefore traveled in interstate commerce. Jackson is a convicted felon with prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute both Schedule II and III controlled substances in 2020 and knew that he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Jackson pleaded guilty to the charges on November 28, 2022.

The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF and Ruston Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – A federal jury has returned a guilty verdict against Kristal Glover-Wing, 50, of Broussard, Louisiana, for one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and three counts of health care fraud following a trial that lasted nearly four weeks, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Dr. Gary M. Wiltz and Dr. Charles H. Louis were each acquitted on their charges in the indictment. Judge Robert R. Summerhays presided over the trial.

Glover-Wing was the owner of Angel Care Hospice (“Angel Care”), a Louisiana corporation that purported to provide hospice services in Lafayette Parish and other parishes in the Western District of Louisiana. Through evidence presented at trial, jurors learned that from approximately 2009 through 2017, over 24 patients were placed on hospice by Angel Care without meeting the criteria required by Medicare. During the time period that the patients were on hospice and under the care and supervision of Angel Care, none of them had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. In fact, many of the patients themselves, who are still alive and thriving many years later, as well as family members of other patients, testified that they never knew that they had been placed on hospice. The testimony revealed that while on hospice care, many of the patients were living normal lives and although most of them did have medical conditions, none had been diagnosed as being terminally ill. The fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare and reimbursed to Angel Care resulted in a loss of approximately $1,539,161.10 to Medicare.

“Krystal Glover-Wing defrauded the government and we thank the jury for holding her accountable. We will now move forward to her sentencing hearing,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “I thank the trial team and investigators for staying the course throughout years of investigating and a hard-fought trial. Although the doctors in this case were ultimately acquitted, we as prosecutors present the facts to a federal grand jury when we truly believe there has been a violation of federal law that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Furthermore, if the grand jury decides to indict, we are not afraid to proceed to trial and give a federal trial jury the chance to ultimately decide someone’s guilt or innocence based on the evidence that we have. The verdict rendered in this case is evidence that the system can be just, fair and the trial jury has the ultimate prerogative to convict or acquit.”

“Whenever Medicare providers are motivated by greed, our most vulnerable citizens, the elderly, are put at risk,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeff Richards of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).  “HHS-OIG agents will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate providers who loot the Medicare Trust Fund.”

Glover-Wing faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison on the conspiracy to commit health care fraud charge, up to 10 years in prison on the health care fraud charges, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly P. Uebinger, Danny Siefker, and Lauren L. Gardner.

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OPELOUSAS, LA - Elijah Jones, 31 has been sentenced by United States District Court Judge David Joseph to 51 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, as a result of a conviction for violation of one (1) count of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(l) punishable by 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(b)(l)(C) – Distribution of Fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.

On June 25, 2021, agents working in an undercover capacity negotiated a purchase suspected heroin from Elijah Jones. Agents contacted Jones via telephone to set up the transaction at the Cajun Fire Casino & Truck Stop in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Jones asked Agents to sit in his truck with him while they talked business and completed the heroin transaction. Jones agreed to selling a half-ounce of heroin and began to weigh and package the narcotics in a clear sandwich bag. Agents were able to purchase and executed three (3) different controlled buys of suspected heroin from Elijah Jones. Jones completed one transaction by placing the narcotics in Girard Park in Lafayette, Louisiana. The suspected heroin from all three purchases were sent to the Acadiana Crime Lab for analysis. Two reports indicate that the alleged heroin was in fact fentanyl. The third report indicate the substance is a mixture of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. Elijah Jones was sentenced to 51 months custody followed by 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $10,000.00.

This case was investigated by FBI, ATF, St. Martin Sheriff’s Office, and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

ALEXANDRIA, LA – Daniel Aikens, 40, of Alexandria, Louisiana, was sentenced March 28, 2023, to 16 years in prison for 8 counts of illegal explosive related charges by United States Senior District Judge Dee D. Drell announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.  On November 18, 2022, 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.

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. 

“Simply put, Daniel Aikens is a domestic terrorist.  The citizens of the Western District of Louisiana should be able to move about their respective communities freely on a day-to-day basis without fear of hurt, harm or danger and this defendant deserves every single day of the sentence handed down by the court.  The sentencing hearing showed that the victims involved still are healing emotionally and I hope we brought them some manner of justice.  The prosecution team and state, local and federal investigators are to be commended for a job well done in collaborating to ensure that this defendant is held accountable.  Given the investigator’s swift action, no other individuals were harmed.  I pray that the conviction and sentence will serve as a deterrent for anyone thinking of committing such a selfish and inhumane crime,” stated United States Attorney Brown.

“ATF will continue to prioritize and aggressively investigate crimes involving the criminal use of explosives. Explosives can lead to serious injury, damage, and create fear in communities like happened to the citizens of Alexandria and Monroe,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “ATF remains vigilant working with its partners to keep the public safe by investigating and perfecting charges against those who use explosives with criminal intent.”

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 Attorneys Jamilla A. Bynog, LaDonte A. Murphy and Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jaron Mitchell, 30, of New Iberia, Louisiana, was sentenced to 122 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, as a result of a conviction for attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge David C. Joseph conducted the sentencing hearing.

In this case, on May 10, 2022, a Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) intercepted a package at UPS World Port in Louisville, Kentucky and Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) began an investigation. Investigators learned the package contained several smaller boxes that were destined for a home in New Iberia, Louisiana.  Agents discovered that the boxes contained infant/baby equipment, toys, and a total of ten (10) large Ziplock bag bundles containing suspected methamphetamine, each weighing approximately one pound. The total suspected weight of the methamphetamine was slightly more than ten pounds. Agents tracked the package to a home associated with Mitchell and then to a car where it was found. Mitchell was observed picking up the package from the home where it was delivered and was the driver of the car when package was located by officers. A data extraction of Mitchell’s cellphone showed he had been tracking the package through the UPS app on his phone. Mitchell pleaded guilty to the charge on December 9, 2022.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigation, Customs and Border Protection and the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Robert Lee Daniel, III, of Alexandria, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 65 months in prison for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.  Following his release from prison, Daniel will be placed on supervised release for a period of 3 years.   

The investigation revealed that in December of 2020, Daniel downloaded LA Wallet, which is a digital driver’s license mobile application, onto his smartphone.  Daniel obtained the Louisiana license information of A.S.M., who Daniel knew to be a real person, and used that information to obtain a digital copy of A.S.M.’s driver’s license on LA Wallet.  In January of 2021, posing as A.S.M, Daniel used the digital license of A.S.M. to open an account at Cenla Federal Credit Union.  Then, again posing as A.S.M., Daniel applied for and obtained a $41,844.45 loan through Cenla Federal Credit Union to purchase a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado.  Daniel not only lied about his identity, but he (posing as A.S.M.) also stated on the application that he was employed by Baker Hughes and had an annual income of $78,000.

In addition to Cenla Federal Credit Union, Judge Drell identified nine other victims of Daniel’s fraud scheme. Judge Drell ordered Daniel to pay a total of $45,512.97 in restitution to the victims.  At the time of his offense, Daniel was on probation in three different parishes in Louisiana for committing bank fraud.

"This is a great example of federal law enforcement agencies partnering with our local partners to pursue justice for these victims. Although these are typically known as nonviolent crimes, the actions of this defendant are inherently dangerous to the community because they violate privacy interests and take advantage of the state's technological advances. For these reasons, we are pleased with this sentence."

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Alexandria Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that William Ross Hickman, 48, of Arcadia, Louisiana, and Brian K. Whiteman, 47, of Haughton, Louisiana, have each pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information charging them with conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the hearing.

According to evidence presented to the court, Hickman and Whiteman participated in a scheme to defraud which began prior to 2018 and involved Raeford Farms of Louisiana, LLC (Raeford Farms), where Hickman was employed as the Sales Manager and Whiteman was as the Assistant Sales Manager of their Arcadia production plant. Raeford Farms sells various products to include fresh and frozen chicken, and chicken frames. A chicken frame is the core of the chicken that remains after processing the breasts, thighs, wings, and legs. Hickman negotiated the sale of these chicken products seeking the highest possible return when selling them.

While employed at Raeford Farms, Hickman developed a scheme to fraudulently divert business from Raeford Farms by using Group 7792 as an intermediary to purchase chicken frames from Raeford Farms. Hickman used his position as Sales Manager to provide favorable sales terms to other entities to the detriment of Raeford Farms. Hickman had a pre-arranged agreement with an unnamed individual and his corporation to sell the chicken frames to Heritage Food Sales (Heritage), which was another company controlled by Hickman. Heritage paid Group 7792 a guaranteed return for each transaction but never took possession of the chicken frames or added anything of value to the transaction. Hickman would then sell the same chicken frames to a poultry wholesaler in Chattanooga, TN for profit.

To further the scheme to defraud, Hickman and others acting in concert with him, sent invoices by email from Arcadia, Louisiana, through interstate commerce, for Heritage to receive payment for the chicken frames. Hickman and Whiteman conspired together to conceal the involvement of Heritage from Raeford Farms in these chicken frame transactions. As Assistant Sales Manager for Raeford Farms, Whiteman was responsible for tracking inventory and the details regarding all shipments. Whiteman provided this type of information to Hickman to further the conspiracy to defraud in order to get a higher price for chicken frame loads sold by Heritage. In exchange for his participation in the conspiracy to defraud, Whiteman understood and agreed with Hickman that Heritage would pay him through his own business entity, All Trade Enterprise, LLC (All Trade). Hickman would pay Whiteman a monthly commission through All Trade and occasionally to him personally. The transactions conducted during the time period of this investigation resulted in an approximate loss of $2,183,950 to Raeford Farms.

Hickman and Whiteman each face up to 5 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for July 12, 2023 at 9:30.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Anthony E. Johnson, 27, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced for his involvement in a counterfeit check cashing scheme. Johnson was sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 30 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $110,773 in restitution.

According to information introduced in court, Anthony Johnson conspired with Carlos A. Spann and Phelix Williams, both of Shreveport, in a scheme to cash counterfeit checks using fraudulent identities at banks and retail establishments throughout Louisiana in 2017 and 2018. Spann provided Johnson and Williams with altered overlays for identification cards along with counterfeit checks drawn on Tower Loan’s bank account, as well as counterfeit checks drawn on a U.S. Postal Service bank account. All of these fraudulent transactions were captured by surveillance video cameras.

Johnson pleaded guilty on January 17, 2019 in U.S. District Court. The court ordered that Johnson comply with the requirements of the U.S. Probation Office in connection with his pretrial supervised release and was allowed to remain on bond until his sentencing hearing which was scheduled for May 1, 2019.  Johnson failed to comply with the conditions of pretrial supervision and a warrant was issued for his arrest in March 2019.  Officers with the Shreveport Police Department arrested Johnson in September 2022 on an unrelated charge and learned of the warrant for Johnson. He was returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to face the charges in this case.  

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Shreveport Police Department, and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan and Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney.

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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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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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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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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, 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, 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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, 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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