Eastern District of Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOSHUA PICOU, age 30, of Houma, Louisiana, was charged on April 28, 2022 in a seven-count indictment by a federal grand jury for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and Federal Controlled Substances Act. Specifically, he is charged with distributing a substance containing fentanyl and cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). He is further charged with possessing fentanyl, cocaine base (“crack”), and cocaine with the intent to distribute in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C). Additionally, he is charged with   possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 922(g)(9), and 924(c)(1)(A)(i), respectively.

According to court documents, PICOU distributed a substance containing fentanyl and cocaine on May 27, June 2, and June 22, 2021. Later, on June 24, 2021, he is alleged to have been in possession of forty (40) grams or more of fentanyl, twenty-eight (28) grams or more of cocaine base, and a quantity of cocaine, with the intent to distribute the substances. On that same date, he is accused of being in possession of two firearms, a Glock Model 17 handgun and a Springfield Armory XDM-9. The indictment charges PICOU with possessing those  firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity and while prohibited due to his prior criminal convictions.

If convicted of distribution of fentanyl and cocaine as charged in Counts 1 – 3 or possession with intent to distribute cocaine as charged in Count 4, PICOU faces up to a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000.00 fine, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee, as to each count.  If convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl or cocaine base, he faces a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum of forty (40) years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000.00 fine, at least four (4) years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. If convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, he faces a consecutive minimum of five (5) years and a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to five (5) years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. If convicted of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony offense or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, he faces up to  a maximum of ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee, as to each count.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.  

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Homeland Securities Investigations and the Terrebonne Parish Sherriff’s Office in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles D. Strauss.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that on April 28, 2022 U.S. District Court Judge Wendy B. Vitter sentenced KENDRICK DEMOURELLE, age 40, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, to 120 months of imprisonment, five years of supervised release, and $300 in mandatory special assessment fees for conspiring to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin, and for the illegal use of phones in furtherance of drug trafficking, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), 843(b), and 846. DEMOURELLE plead guilty on November 2, 2021.

According to court records, the United States is seeking to forfeit approximately $120,308.00, two vehicles, and two properties acquired by DEMOURELLE with suspected drug proceeds which have been seized in connection with the investigation. DEMOURELLE and four others, Joseph Brown, Lionel Cooley, Kevin Gray, and Blake Monroe, conspired to sell illegal narcotics in New Orleans, including using a broken-down yellow school bus in the ‘Goose’ neighborhood in New Orleans East as a stash house. All five were indicted in February 2020. A seized GMC Sierra pickup truck used by Lionel Cooley contained nearly two kilograms of cocaine and 430 grams of crack.

As part of his guilty plea, DEMOURELLE agreed that he was responsible for at least 5 kilograms of cocaine, at least 280 grams of crack, and at least 1.5 kilograms of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, through his own conduct and the reasonably foreseeable conduct of his co-conspirators.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Hammond Police Department, New Orleans Police Department, and Slidell Police Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney David Howard Sinkman is in charge of the prosecution. 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOSE GARCIA-NUNEZ, age 33, a citizen of Mexico, was indicted today for illegally using a social security number belonging to another individual, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).

JOSE GARCIA-NUNEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.   

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MARIO MATEO TOMAS JOSE, a native of Mexico, was charged today in a one-count bill of information with illegally using a social security number to qualify for employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).

MARIO MATEO TOMAS JOSE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.   

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon M. Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LIMBER VAZQUEZ-NUNEZ, a native of Mexico, was charged on April 28, 2022 in a one-count bill of information with illegally using a social security number to qualify for employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).

LIMBER VAZQUEZ-NUNEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, a fine of $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.   

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon M. Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on April 28, 2022 VICTORIANO CAMEY-ESPANA, age 38, a native of Guatemala, was charged today in a one-count bill of information with illegally using a social security number to qualify for employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).

VICTORIANO CAMEY-ESPANA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.   

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney M. Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – FLOYD ROBERTSON, age 26, of Grand Isle, Louisiana, was charged April 29, 2022, in a 4-count indictment by a federal grand jury with distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution of heroin and fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 841(b)(1)(C), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

If convicted on the methamphetamine charges, ROBERTSON faces a mandatory minimum term of ten (10) years imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, and at least five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count.

If convicted on the heroin and fentanyl charges, ROBERTSON faces up to a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and at least three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the defendant’s guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Bücher.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that STACEY V. SANTEMORE, SR., age 46, formerly of New Orleans but now a resident of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty on April 27, 2022 before U.S. District Court Judge Jay C. Zainey to a two-count bill of information charging him with making false statements and theft of government funds related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance in connection with economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP.  The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1%. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.  In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.

In addition, the CARES Act created a temporary federal unemployment insurance program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) after a major disaster declaration for this funding. PUA, administered by the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC), provided unemployment insurance benefits for individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment benefits (e.g., the self-employed, independent contractors, or gig economy workers).

According to the charging documents, SANTEMORE, in July 2020, made false statements to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining pandemic-related relief loans funded by the federal government, including PPP funds, which he received in the amount of approximately $89,000 on July 14, 2020.

SANTEMORE also applied for Louisiana unemployment benefits through the LWC with PUA funding despite at all times being fully employed by Amtrak, the national passenger railcar company. Through this theft of government funds, he obtained approximately $22,000 from April 2020 through March 2021.

SANTEMORE faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release for the false statements count. He faces up to ten years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release for the theft count.   There is also a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count. Sentencing before U.S. District Court Judge Zainey will be on July 26, 2022.

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.

For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Amtrak Office of Inspector General – Criminal Investigations and the Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General, in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DAVID BROWN (“BROWN”), age 50, of Morgan City, pled guilty on April 27, 2022 to Count One (1) of his indictment, charging him with Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.    By pleading guilty to Count 1, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years’ imprisonment; a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years; and a fine of up to $250,000.00, as well as a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Today’s guilty plea brings the total number of defendants convicted in Operation Sideswipe to 37.

According to court documents, BROWN falsely claimed that he was a passenger in a car that was struck by a tractor-trailer on May 11, 2017. In fact, the defendant conspired with Damian Labeaud (“Labeaud”), Mario Solomon (“Solomon”), and others to intentionally collide with a tractor-trailer in the area of Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road in New Orleans.  After the intentional collision, BROWN falsely informed NOPD officers at the scene that he had been driving the vehicle and that the tractor-trailer was at fault. BROWN also filed a fraudulent lawsuit and lied in a deposition.  This scheme caused the insurance company for the tractor-trailer to pay over $140,000.00 in settlement funds for the May 11, 2017 collision.  The Honorable Jane Triche Milazzo set sentencing in this matter for July 27, 2022.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria M. Carboni; Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Long.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LOUIS AGE JR., age 73, and LOUIS’ son, LOUIS AGE III, a/k/a “Big Lou”, age 51, RONALD WILSON a/k/a “Tank”, age 47, and STANTON GUILLORY a/k/a “Nan-Nan”, age 27, all from New Orleans, were found guilty yesterday after a three-week jury trial before United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe. They were found guilty of various violations, including conspiracy to commit murder for hire, murder for hire, and other related offenses along with lying  to a federal agent.

Milton Womack was shot and killed on July 27, 2012.  On August 17, 2017, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging LOUIS AGE JR., LOUIS AGE III, a/k/a “Big Lou”, RONALD WILSON a/k/a “Tank”, and STANTON GUILLORY a/k/a “Nan-Nan” with a variety of crimes related to an alleged plot to murder Milton Womack. These crimes were committed both to retaliate against and  prevent Mr. Womack from testifying in a federal health care fraud trial and from cooperating with law enforcement about the  health care fraud as well as   other crimes, including  the use of fire to commit mail fraud.

AGE JR. was also charged and convicted of crimes related to an alleged plot against another witness. Additionally, AGE JR. was charged and convicted of making false statements to federal agents.   AGE III was also charged and convicted of making false statements to federal agents.

LOUIS AGE JR., LOUIS AGE III, a/k/a “Big Lou”, RONALD WILSON a/k/a “Tank”, and STANTON GUILLORY a/k/a “Nan-Nan” all face a mandatory life sentence.  Sentencing will be held before United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe on August 4. 2022. 

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera, David Haller, Brandon Long and Ted Carter are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – BRIAN JONES (JONES), a/k/a “Turk,” age 26, was sentenced in federal court today to 30 years imprisonment for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act ,Title 21 United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846, carjacking,  Title 21 United States Code, Section 2119, and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, Title 21 United States Code Section 924(c)(1)(A)(iii)JONES previously pled  guilty to a three count  second superseding indictment. on October 19, 2021

According to court documents, in 2017 and 2018, JONES and his co-conspirators sold drugs in the Hollygrove area of New Orleans in and around a neighborhood corner-store.

In October 2017, JONES pistol-whipped and shot a victim multiple times from point blank range, and then ran the victim over with a car.  The victim survived. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans Gang Task Force.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Kathryn McHugh and Myles Ranier.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DONISESHA LEE, a/k/a DONISHA LEE (“DONISHA LEE”), age 32, of Harvey, Louisiana, was sentenced today for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, by United States District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance, arising out of a staged automobile collision with a tractor-trailer occurring in New Orleans.

According to documents filed in federal court, DONISHA LEE, along with her co-defendants, Dewayne Coleman (“Coleman”), Erica Lee Thompson (“Erica Lee”), Aisha Thompson (“Thompson”), Passenger A, and another individual, conspired to commit mail fraud in connection with a staged collision with their former co-defendant, occurring on September 6, 2017.  Thus far, the total number of defendants convicted in “Operation Sideswipe” is thirty-seven (37).

DONISHA LEE admitted that on September 6, 2017, on the I-10 near the Almonaster exit, she was a passenger in Erica Lee’s 2015 RAV4 being driven by their former co-defendant, when he intentionally crashed into a tractor-trailer owned by Averitt Express.  After the staged accident, the driver exited the RAV4 and told Erica Lee to get behind the wheel of the RAV4 to make it appear that Erica Lee was driving the vehicle at the time of the staged accident.  The defendants contacted the NOPD and falsely claimed that Erica Lee was the driver at the time of the collision.  Passenger A falsely claimed to the NOPD that she was Thompson.

Approximately one or two days after the staged accident, Coleman, DONISHA LEE,  Erica Lee, Thompson, and another individual went to an attorney’s office for the purpose of collecting money from the insurance and trucking company.  Coleman, DONISHA LEE, Erica Lee, Thompson, and another individual sought medical treatment from doctors and healthcare providers.  Thompson was treated despite not being in the RAV4 at the time of the staged accident. DONISHA LEE retained counsel and made a claim for damages.  The total settlement for the Averitt accident was $30,000.

On March 26, 2019, DONISHA LEE, and two of her co-defendants, provided false testimony in depositions taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit.  On April 9, 2019, Thompson provided false testimony in a deposition taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit.  In these depositions, DONISHA LEE, and her co-defendants, lied about the September 6, 2017 accident including, but not limited to, who was driving the RAV4 and the extent of their injuries.

United States District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced DONISHA LEE to 10 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, 100 hours community service, restitution in the amount of $121,076.75, and a $100.00 special assessment fee.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera; Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long.

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that, on April 19, 2022, DUVELL LONDON, JR., 41, of St. Rose, La., and JEREMY LEVANDA, age 40, of Destrehan, La., were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter on drug trafficking charges. LONDON previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846. LONDON further pled guilty to 4 counts of distribution of controlled substances, 3 counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and 4 counts of use of a telephone in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. LEVANDA previously pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of use of a telephone in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, LONDON, LEVANDA, and others, distributed significant quantities of fentanyl, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine in St Charles Parish and surrounding areas during the summer of 2020.

LONDON was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment, 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and $1,200 in mandatory special assessment fees. LEVANDA was sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and $300 in mandatory special assessment fees.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (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.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Nolan Paige and Paige O’Hale.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DONTRELL MATHEWS, age 42,  a resident of Thibodaux, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier to 120 months’ imprisonment,   three (3)  of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee after pleading guilty to a one-count superseding bill of information charging him with distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, on July 31, 2018, Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration used  a confidential source to make a controlled purchase of approximately 27 grams of methamphetamine from MATHEWS. 

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Homeland Security Investigations, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – A federal grand jury in New Orleans, Louisiana returned a three-count indictment charging a New Orleans man for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act.

According to court documents, NICHOLAS WEBER, age 29, is charged in Count 1 with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B).  In Count 2, WEBER is charged with possessing firearms in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).  In Count 3, WEBER is charged with possession of a firearms by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  

If convicted of Count 1, WEBER faces a minimum sentence of 5 years and up to a maximum of 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release.  If convicted of Count 2, WEBER faces a mandatory consecutive 5 years imprisonment, up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release.  If convicted of Count 3, WEBER faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release.  WEBER faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee for each count. 

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Louisiana State Police as part of NOPD’s Violent Crime Abatement Investigation Team (“VCAIT”).  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Usher.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that yesterday JEREMY ESTEVES, age 35, ROBERT BRUMFIELD, III, age 28, and JASMINE THEOPHILE, age 29, all of New Orleans, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Lance Africk for their roles in the December 2013 armed robbery of a Loomis Armored vehicle at Chase Bank, 2331 S. Carrollton, Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana, which resulted in the death of Loomis guard Hector Trochez. 

ESTEVES, who was found guilty by a jury at trial in November 2019 of conspiracy to obstruct and obstruction of commerce by robbery, murder, and violations of the Federal Gun Control Act, was sentenced to 600 months imprisonment, a five-year term of supervised release following imprisonment, a $300 mandatory special assessment fee, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $277,000.00.

BRUMFIELD, who was also convicted at trial in November 2019 of conspiracy to obstruct commerce by robbery, was sentenced to 240 months imprisonment, a three year term of supervised release following imprisonment, a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $277,000.00.

THEOPHILE, the former girlfriend of co-defendant Lilbear George, previously pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and was sentenced to a five year term of probation, which includes six months in the custody of a halfway house.  She was further ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to court documents, on December 18, 2013, ESTEVES along with co-defendants, Lilbear George, Chukwudi Ofomata, and Curtis Johnson, Jr., robbed a Loomis armored vehicle as it was making a delivery of approximately $265,000 to the Chase Bank at the intersection of S. Carrollton and S. Claiborne Avenues.  As Trochez prepared to make the delivery, George and Ofomata, both armed, exited a Chevy Tahoe driven by ESTEVES and ordered Trochez to give up the money.  Trochez pulled his weapon and fired at the robbers.  Ofomata and George returned fired in Trochez’s direction.  Johnson fired at the Loomis truck to keep the driver inside. Trochez was fatally struck on the left side of his forehead and suffered a graze wound to his elbow. One of the robbers ran towards the rear of the Loomis truck and took possession of the money bag before re-entering the Tahoe.  The robbers fled the Chase Bank parking lot.  

A witness seated in a vehicle at the corner of S. Claiborne and S. Carrollton Avenues observed the shooting and provided a description of the shooters and the vehicle they occupied.  That witness followed the Chevy Tahoe as it fled the location of the shooting/robbery.  During the vehicle’s flight, one of the shooters fired at the witness’s vehicle in an attempt to deter the witness from following.  The witness observed the Chevy Tahoe arrive in the 1700 block of Adams Street and saw the four robbers exit the Chevy Tahoe and enter the awaiting Honda Accord driven by BRUMFIELD.  The Honda Accord fled the Adams Street location, leaving the Chevy Tahoe behind.     

The Tahoe was recovered by the New Orleans Police Department and searched pursuant to a federal search warrant.  During the search, FBI agents observed that the steering wheel column of the vehicle had been breached. Agents located two screwdrivers on the floorboard and a bandana on the console.  The items were collected and submitted for DNA testing at the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory.  An unknown DNA profile, later confirmed to be that of George, was recovered from one of the screwdrivers.  Likewise, the DNA recovered from the bandana was confirmed to be that of Johnson.

Co-defendants George and Ofomata previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 480 months imprisonment.  Defendant Johnson was convicted at trial in March 2022 and will be sentenced on July 13, 2022.   

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the New Orleans Police Department and the Louisiana State Police.  Assistant United States Attorneys Brittany L. Reed, Gregory M. Kennedy, and Inga Petrovich prosecuted the matter.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DAVID SINGLETON, age 62, of New Orleans, pled guilty to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act.  Specifically, SINGLETON pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B) and 846. 

According to court documents, SINGLETON possessed over 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride on about October 20, 2017 in New Orleans. 

SINGLETON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $8,000,000, at least 8 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle set sentencing for July 20, 2022. 

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that BLANCA ESTELA AVALOS ALEJANDRO, age 41, a native of Mexico, was charged today in a one-count indictment with illegally using a social security number in order to enroll in a safety class to qualify for employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).

BLANCA ESTELA AVALOS ALEJANDRO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.   

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on April 19, 2022 MICHAEL J. GOLL, age 46, of Kentwood, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and filing false federal tax returns. GOLL entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter. Judge Vitter scheduled GOLL’s sentencing for July 26, 2022, at 1:30 p.m.

According to court documents, GOLL was the New Orleans branch manager of Company A, which provides material handling equipment to businesses. From January 2013 through September 2017, GOLL defrauded Company A of approximately $549,667.39. GOLL is alleged to have executed the scheme by sending Company A false invoices from shell companies that he had created, when in fact the work was either done by Company A’s own employees or the work was not done at all. As part of the scheme, GOLL had a contractor who did personal work for GOLL inflate his bills to Company A to cover the work done for GOLL. GOLL justified the overbilling by telling the contractor that he planned on buying Company A in the future, although GOLL never did purchase Company A, and GOLL never told his employer about the overbilling.

Additionally, GOLL pleaded guilty to filing false federal tax returns. According to court documents, GOLL filed false personal income tax returns for tax years 2014 through and including 2017 in which he failed to accurately report his income, including the money that he embezzled from Company A. Moreover, GOLL also counseled three other people, all of whom personally knew GOLL, to file false tax returns. GOLL told each of them, falsely, that he had graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Orleans with a Ph.D. in business administration, a degree that the University of New Orleans does not actually offer. GOLL persuaded them to become business partners in a fake restaurant enterprise, which they believed was a true business opportunity. GOLL then instructed them to file tax returns claiming business losses that were nonexistent. GOLL had them each pay to him a portion of the false tax refund. Through his own false tax returns and those of the three others that he aided, GOLL caused a tax loss to the United States of $188,694.00.

As to the charge of wire fraud, GOLL may receive up to a maximum of 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.00 or twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss to any victims. As to the charge of filing false tax returns, GOLL may receive up to 3 years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $100,000.00. Each count also carries a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. As part of his plea, GOLL agreed to make full restitution to Company A and to the IRS.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the U.S. Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, which investigated this case jointly. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Payne is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that FIDADELFO ANTONIO CAMEY-ESPANA, age 35, a native of Guatemala, was charged today in a one-count indictment with illegally using a social security number in order to enroll in a safety class to qualify for employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).

FIDADELFO ANTONIO CAMEY-ESPANA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.   

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that CHANDRIKA BROWN (“BROWN”), age 31, and AISHA THOMPSON (“THOMPSON"), age 44, both of New Orleans, Louisiana, were sentenced today for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans.

According to documents filed in federal court, BROWN, along with her co-defendants, Doniesha Gibson (Gibson), of New Orleans, Louisiana; and Ishais Price (Price), of New Orleans, and a co-defendant driver conspired to commit mail fraud in connection with a staged accident with a co-defendant driver on October 15, 2015. THOMPSON, along with her co-defendants, Dewayne Coleman, Erica Lee Thompson (“Erica Lee”), Donisha Lee, Passenger A, and another individual, conspired to commit mail fraud in connection with a staged accident with the same co-defendant driver, occurring on September 6, 2017. Thus far, the total number of defendants convicted in “Operation Sideswipe” is thirty-six (36).

BROWN claimed that on October 15, 2015, she was a passenger in a 2014 Dodge Avenger owned and driven by Gibson that was hit by a Hotard bus while traveling on the I-10 near the flyover of the I-510. Also in the vehicle was defendant Price. In truth, a co-defendant asked Gibson to recruit Brown and Price to ride along as passengers and he then sought out a commercial vehicle to intentionally hit. After the staged accident, the co-defendant driver switched seats with Gibson, and they called the N.O.P.D. Gibson, along with the passengers, falsely stated that the Hotard bus illegally changed lanes and caused the accident. Thereafter, BROWN, Gibson, Price, and the co-defendant driver each retained counsel and made demands against Hotard’s owner and insurer for personal injury damages. As a result of the claims, the insurer utilized the U.S. mails to send the settlement drafts to BROWN, Gibson, Price, and the co-defendant driver’s counsel. The total settlement for the Hotard bus accident was approximately $677,500.

Similarly, THOMPSON falsely claimed that on September 6, 2017, on the I-10 near the Almonaster exit, she was a passenger in co-defendant Erica Lee’s 2015 RAV4 being driven by their former co-defendant, when he intentionally crashed into a tractor-trailer owned by Averitt Express. After the staged accident, the driver exited the RAV4 and told Erica Lee to get behind the wheel of the RAV4 to make it appear that Erica Lee was driving the vehicle at the time of the staged accident.  The defendants contacted the NOPD and falsely claimed that Erica Lee was the driver at the time of the collision. Passenger A falsely claimed to the NOPD that she was THOMPSON.  Approximately one or two days after the staged accident, Coleman, Donisha Lee, Erica Lee, THOMPSON, and another individual went to an attorney’s office for the purpose of collecting money from the insurance and trucking company. THOMPSON and her co-defendants sought medical treatment from doctors and healthcare providers. THOMPSON was treated despite not being in the RAV4 at the time of the staged accident. THOMPSON retained counsel and made a claim for damages. The total settlement for the Averitt accident was $30,000. On March 26, 2019, Coleman, Donisha Lee, and another individual each provided false testimony in depositions taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit. On April 9, 2019, THOMPSON provided false testimony in a deposition taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit. In these depositions, THOMPSON and her co-defendants lied about the September 6, 2017 accident including, but not limited to, who was driving the RAV4 and the extent of their injuries.

United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced BROWN to 3 years’ probation, 100 hours community service, restitution in the amount of $121,076.75, and a $100.00 special assessment fee. and THOMPSON to 18 months incarceration, followed by 3 years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, restitution in the amount of $677,500.00, and a $100.00 special assessment fee.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera; Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long. 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LEON HENRY, age 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, and JABAR GIBSON, age 36, of New Orleans, Louisiana, were sentenced on April 19, 2022 before the Honorable Jay C. Zainey on charges of violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the court records, HENRY and GIBSON conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.  HENRY admitted to dispatching two couriers on trips between Baton Rouge and Houston with kilograms of heroin and cocaine.

Judge Zainey sentenced HENRY to 225 months and GIBSON to 188 months, respectively, in the federal Bureau of Prisons.  Each also received three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced on April 19, 2022, defendant EDWARD DAVIS, age 45, resident of New Orleans, LA, pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Jay C. Zainey to a federal weapons violation of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In Count 1 of the indictment, DAVIS is charged with possessing two firearms on January 11, 2022, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).  DAVIS faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, a period of up to 3 years supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.  DAVIS’s sentencing is scheduled for July 28, 2022.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice's violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and  partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on April 19, 2022, defendant RICHARD JONES, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty on April 10, 2022 before U.S. District Court Judge Greg G. Guidry to carjacking, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence,  burglary of a federal firearms licensee, and felon in possession of a firearm.

Specifically, RICHARD JONES pled guilty to Counts One, Two, Three, and Six of the indictment. JONES pled guilty to Count One, which charges him with a carjacking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119(1). JONES also pled guilty to Count Two, which charges him with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, that is, a carjacking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section, 924(c)(1)(A). JONES also pled guilty to Count Three, which charges him with burglary of a federal firearms licensee, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(u).  Finally, JONES pled guilty to Count Six, which charges him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g) and 924(a)(2).

As to Count One, JONES faces a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. As to Count Two, JONES faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of up to $250,000, up to five years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Finally, as to Counts Three and Six, JONES faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  For each count of conviction, JONES, must pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee at sentencing.  JONES's sentencing is scheduled for August 9, 2022.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice's violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New Orleans Police Department, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department. The case  is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit  of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that KATIE LAROCHE, age 53, from New Orleans, was charged on April 19, 2022 with wire fraud, based on her embezzlement of $233,363.53 from a client.

The government filed a one-count bill of information that charged LAROCHE with wire fraud involving conduct from 2015 through 2021. According to the bill of information, LAROCHE was a financial manager who handled bookkeeping, accounting, and other financial services for her clients. From 2015 through 2021, LAROCHE embezzled funds from one of her clients. LAROCHE hid the embezzlements by falsely indicating that withdrawals and transfers out of the victim’s account were for tax payments, when in fact the money was deposited into LAROCHE’s personal account or used for LAROCHE’s own purposes.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, LAROCHE faces up to twenty years in prison. LAROCHE also faces up to three years of supervised release after release from prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain to LAROCHE or the gross loss to any victims, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas D. Moses and Jordan Ginsberg are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that KEISHIRA ROBINSON (“K. ROBINSON”), age 27, of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced today for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of her involvement in a staged automobile accident that occurred on October 13, 2015. Thus far, the total number of defendants convicted in “Operation Sideswipe” is thirty-six (36).

According to documents filed in federal court, A. Robinson, Harris, Schaffer, and K. ROBINSON intentionally collided with a tractor-trailer in the area of Alvar Street and France Road in New Orleans. Roderick Hickman (“Hickman”), who pled guilty to a previous indictment charging him and 10 others with staging automobile accidents, was driving A. Robinson’s vehicle at the time of this accident. Hickman intentionally struck a tractor-trailer owned and operated by C.R. England, and then was picked up from the collision site by Damian Labeaud (“Labeaud”), who has also pled guilty to a previous indictment as part of this investigation. After the accident, A. Robinson, who had been in Labeaud’s vehicle at the time of the accident, then got behind the wheel of his own vehicle to make it appear that he had been driving at the time of the staged accident. A. Robinson falsely reported to the NOPD that he had been driving and that the tractor-trailer had struck his vehicle.

All four defendants were referred to an attorney who paid Labeaud for staging this accident, among others. All of the defendants were treated by doctors and healthcare providers at the direction of their attorneys, and A. Robinson, Harris, and Schaffer underwent surgeries. In total, in July 2019, the victim trucking and insurance company paid out approximately $4.7 million for the fraudulent claims associated with this staged accident.           

United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced K. ROBINSON to 5 years’ probation, restitution ordered in the amount of $4,725,000, $100 mandatory special assessment, and the court granted the preliminary order of forfeiture in the amount of $5,000.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long, Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JOSHUA HOCKLESS, age 29, a resident of Belle Chasse, was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release by the Honorable Sarah S. Vance, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.  Also, the Court ordered HOCKLESS to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee and $138,859.21 in restitution to the United Services Automobile Association Federal Savings Bank (USAA).

According to court records, HOCKLESS was an Army Sergeant in the Headquarters Company, 377th Theater Sustainment Command, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse. HOCKLESS had a bank account at USAA and learned that USAA allowed service members to withdraw deposits before the funds formally cleared the issuing bank. Knowing this, HOCKLESS opened bank accounts at third-party banks with minimal funding, made online wire transfers from those banks to USAA, and withdrew the deposits from USAA before it detected that there were insufficient funds in the issuing bank account. HOCKLESS obtained approximately $36,119.47 as a result of these fraudulent transfers between his accounts. HOCKLESS then asked other enlisted personnel to open USAA and third-party bank accounts.  The other enlisted personnel then shared with HOCKLESS, their online banking passwords. HOCKLESS used these passwords to make similar fraudulent transfers to their USAA accounts and instructed them when to withdraw the cash to split with HOCKLESS. These transfers resulted in approximately $102,739.74 being fraudulently withdrawn from USAA – approximately half of which ($51,369.57) was received by HOCKLESS.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Army Criminal Investigations Command. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Chief of the General Crimes Unit.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the April 19, 2022 sentencing of MILES J. DUPERON, age 29, of Slidell, to one count of delay of U.S. Mail matter by postal employee, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1703(a).

According to the bill of information, on or about July 2019 through January 21, 2020, MILES J. DUPERON unlawfully delayed U.S. mail, which was intended to be conveyed by mail.

U.S. District Judge Greg G. Guidry sentenced MILES J. DUPERON to one year probation and a mandatory $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney M. Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the April 19, 2022 sentencing of HECTOR RODRIGUEZ-RODRIGUEZ, age 55, for the charge of reentry of a deported alien previously convicted of a felony, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and (b)(2).

According to the bill of information, HECTOR RODRIGUEZ-RODRIGUEZ, unlawfully reentered the United States after having been deported on October 27, 1992.

U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey sentenced HECTOR RODRIGUEZ-RODRIGUEZ to a term of imprisonment of eighty-seven months, a term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JA’VONTAY OWENS, age 28, a resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.  The Court imposed concurrent seventy-two (72) month sentences as to Counts 1-2 and a consecutive sixty (60) month sentence as to Count 3 followed by four (4) years of supervised release.  The Court ordered OWENS to pay a total of $300 in mandatory special assessment fees.  OWENS plead guilty to a three-count indictment charging him with Possession with Intent to Distribute Five (5) Grams or More of Methamphetamine, a Quantity of Cocaine Base (“Crack”), and a Quantity of Heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), and (b)(1)(C) (Count 1), Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) (Count 2), and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A) (Count 3).

According to court documents, on September 26, 2020, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputies executed a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by OWENS on Highway 21 in Bogalusa, Louisiana.  Deputies immediately smelled marijuana on OWENS and placed him under arrest.  While searching OWENS pursuant to his arrest, deputies retrieved approximately twenty-seven (27) grams of methamphetamine from OWENS’s underwear.  As the deputies searched OWENS’s vehicle, they located approximately five (5) grams of cocaine base and less than one (1) gram of heroin under the driver’s seat of the vehicle.  In the rear driver side door of the vehicle, deputies located a loaded black Glock, Model 19, nine millimeter, semi-automatic pistol. 

OWENS is a previously convicted felon and was aware of his felon status prior to possession of the firearm.

This case was investigated by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ANITA WILLENE HOBDY, age 67, from LaPlace, was charged on April 15, 2022 with wire fraud, stemming from fraudulent charges made from First Baptist Church of LaPlace.

The government filed a one-count bill of information that charged HOBDY with wire fraud involving conduct from 2015 through 2021. According to the bill of information, HOBDY worked as a bookkeeper for the church’s daycare and embezzled over $175,000 from church accounts during that period.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, HOBDY faces up to twenty years in prison. HOBDY also faces up to three years of supervised release after release from prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain to HOBDY or the gross loss to any victims, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Duane A. Evans announced that JOSEPH CAMPO (“CAMPO”) was sentenced on April 14, 2022 to 28 months of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 after pleading guilty in federal court relating to his role in a health care fraud conspiracy.

CAMPO, age 79, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty on February 25, 2021 before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan to Count One of a bill of information charging him with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.

According to the bill of information, in or around March 2014, continuing through in or around October 2016, CAMPO and his co-defendants conspired to knowingly and willfully execute a scheme and artifice to defraud TRICARE, a federal health care benefit program affecting commerce, and other health care benefit programs.

Prime Pharmacy contracted with various entities, including Pharmacy Benefit Managers (“PBMs”), obligating Prime Pharmacy to collect copayments from beneficiaries in order to be reimbursed by various health care benefit programs, including TRICARE. CAMPO worked with co-defendants to market the compounded medications produced by Prime Pharmacy. CAMPO and his co-conspirators worked with marketers outside of the state to find beneficiaries that were willing to receive medically unnecessary compounds and doctors willing to prescribe compounds without medical necessity.

Beginning in or around March 2014, and continuing through in or around April 2016, Prime Pharmacy dispensed prescriptions for High-Yield Compounded Medications to beneficiaries of TRICARE and other health care benefit programs that were not medically necessary, induced by kickback payments, or where copayments were either waived or credited by Prime Pharmacy, and accordingly, submitted or caused to be submitted false and fraudulent claims for reimbursement to TRICARE, other health care benefit programs, and PBMs.

CAMPO was also ordered to repay TRICARE $3 million in restitution.

“Individuals involved in this scheme illegally billed TRICARE out of close to $15 million and I am pleased that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is requiring justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Cynthia Bruce, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Southeast Field Office.  “There are no victimless crimes and DCIS agents will continue to pursue unscrupulous greedy individuals who steal from our military health care system and all taxpayers.”

“Those entrusted with providing health care services to veterans and their family members will be held accountable should they violate that trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Breen of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s South Central Field Office. “The VA OIG is grateful to the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts to achieve justice in this case.”

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General. 

The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn McHugh.

WASHINGTON – A Louisiana woman was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States and helping clients file false tax returns.

On Nov. 14, 2019, Brittany Patterson, of St. John the Baptist Parish, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns. According to court documents, Michegel Butler owned Crown Tax Service LLC, where Patterson worked as a tax return preparer. From approximately January 2013 through April 2013, Patterson, Butler and others conspired to inflate their clients’ refunds by preparing tax returns claiming false Schedule C businesses, dependents and dependent care expenses. To substantiate the false income and expenses reported on their tax returns, Patterson and the other co-conspirators directed clients to fill out fraudulent receipts. They also encouraged some clients to buy or sell the personal identification information of dependents that could be falsely reported on tax returns.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier ordered Patterson to serve three years of supervised release and pay approximately $90,856 in restitution to the United States.

On Feb. 4, 2021, Butler was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in the conspiracy.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Jessica Kraft of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dall Kammer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana prosecuted the case.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that JAVONTE RICHARD, age 29, of New Orleans, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to Theft of Mail by a Postal Service employee in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1709.

According to court documents, the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”) received complaints from the public concerning missing parcels received by the Johnson Post Office in Metairie, that were later determined to be entrusted to RICHARD. On November 14, 2019, USPS-OIG Special Agents placed a package in the mail to be processed and delivered by RICHARD while on her route. The item was a mail package addressed to a fictitious person and address from another fictitious person and address. While on her route, RICHARD opened the package. Shortly after, USPS-OIG Special Agents stopped RICHARD and observed her retaping the package. RICHARD later admitted to opening the package and removing it from the mail.  

RICHARD faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. United States Chief District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown has set sentencing for July 21, 2022.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Office of the Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon M. Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that GILDA HENDERSON (“HENDERSON”), age 69, of Morgan City, pled guilty on April 13, 2022 to Count one (1) of her indictment, charging Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.    In pleading guilty to Count 1, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years’ imprisonment; a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years; and a fine of up to $250,000.00, as well as a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Today’s guilty plea bring the total number of defendants convicted in Operation Sideswipe to thirty-six (36).

According to court documents, HENDERSON falsely claimed that she was a passenger in a car that was struck by a tractor-trailer on May 11, 2017. In fact, the defendant conspired with Damian Labeaud (“Labeaud”), Mario Solomon (“Solomon”), and others to intentionally collide with a tractor-trailer in the area of Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road in New Orleans.  After the intentional collision, HENDERSON filed a fraudulent lawsuit claiming that the tractor-trailer was at fault and lied in a deposition.  This scheme caused the insurance company for the tractor-trailer to pay over $140,000.00 in settlement funds for the May 11, 2017 collision.  The Honorable Jane Triche Milazzo set sentencing in this matter for July 27, 2022.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria M. Carboni; Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Long.

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that JOSEPH REED, age 35, of New Orleans, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to Bank Robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a).

According to court documents, on October 9, 2021, REED attempted to rob the Chase Bank in New Orleans, Louisiana. REED entered the bank on foot and slipped a note underneath the protective glass. The victim teller was unable to dispense the cash requested by the suspect. The suspect then removed his phone from his pocket and appeared to try and take a photograph of the victim teller.

REED faces a maximum of twenty (20) years in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release following his release from prison, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. United States Chief District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown has set sentencing for July 21, 2022.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crime Task Force as well as officers with the New Orleans Police Department and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon M. Maestri is handling the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that PALMA JEFFERSON, JR., from the greater New Orleans area, was found guilty as charged of five (5) counts of drug trafficking and gun charges. United States District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance presided over the trial.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on April 30, 2019, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (“JPSO”) detectives executed a search warrant at JEFFERSON, JR.’s residence in Metairie, Louisiana. The previous day, detectives received an anonymous tip that an individual would be transporting multiple kilograms of cocaine from Baton Rouge to JEFFERSON, JR.’s residence.  The detectives corroborated the tipster’s information and approached JEFFERSON, JR. outside his home, where he admitted to possessing a large amount of cocaine and a firearm inside his residence. 

Detectives then executed a search warrant for the residence.  Inside the residence, JPSO detectives seized more than 100 grams of heroin, 900 grams of cocaine, 1,900 grams of methamphetamine, and 600 grams of marijuana.  Detectives also located a Lorcin, model L380, .380 caliber firearm.  The firearm contained seven live cartridges, including one in the chamber. 

In a post-arrest interview, JEFFERSON, JR. claimed ownership of all the seized contraband, including the firearm, from his apartment.

At the conclusion of a three (3) day trial, the jury found PALMA JEFFERSON, JR. guilty as charged of possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, a quantity of marijuana, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B)(i), 841(b)(1)(B)(ii)(II), 841(b)(1)(A)(viii), 841(b)(1)(D), and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), respectively.

At sentencing, PALMA JEFFERSON, JR. faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to  a maximum term of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least 5 years supervised release.  Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for July 13, 2022. 

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was investigated by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Gang Task Force.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Andre Jones and Melissa Bücher of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

WASHINGTON – A Louisiana man was sentenced today to three years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $1000 fine for possession of an animal in an animal fighting venture.

Clay Turner, 61, of Loranger, pleaded guilty to possession of an animal for use in an animal fighting venture on June 30, 2021. According to court documents, Turner possessed and trained dogs for the purpose of having them participate in animal fighting ventures. On telephone calls obtained via court-authorized wiretaps, Turner and others discussed gambling on dog fights, arranging and participating in dog fights, sponsoring and exhibiting dogs in dog fights, training and housing dogs for the purposes of dog fighting, commerce in and transport of fighting dogs, and the promotion of dog fights.

In October 2017, a federal law enforcement team consisting of agents from the Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and other agencies executed a search warrant on Turner’s residence in Loranger. During the search, 33 dogs were found on the property, many of which had injuries, scarring and fresh wounds. Law enforcement also discovered a large collection of dog fighting paraphernalia, including:

• a water tank equipped to force dogs to swim to condition them for fighting;
• an electrified prod used in conjunction with the water tank;
• two treadmills equipped to force dogs to run to condition them for fighting;
• ledgers containing the weights and prices of dogs;
• “break sticks” and “flirt poles,” training equipment intended to enhance dogs’ jaw strength;
• pedigrees for the fighting dogs Turner bred; and
• photographs of dogs in inhumane conditions.
   

“Dog fighting is a particularly cruel form of animal abuse,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Turner bred dogs solely to abuse them, through inhumane training methods and violent fights that left them scarred, severely injured, or dead. These dogs deserved better. As this prosecution demonstrates, those who engage in this abhorrent conduct will be brought to justice.”

“This case lifts the veil on the brutal realities associated with this heinous activity,” said U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans of the Eastern District of Louisiana. “This federal crime exploits animals for the sake of human entertainment and ill-gotten financial gains. Collectively, local, state and federal law enforcement partners are actively engaged in ending this criminal industry by holding accountable perpetrators who engage in dog fighting and rescuing victimized dogs from this appalling pastime.”

“The provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity involving drugs, firearms, and gambling,” said Special Agent-in-Charge, Dax Roberson of USDA-OIG. Together with the Department of Justice, animal fighting is an investigative priority for USDA-OIG, and we will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who participate in animal fighting ventures.”

“Animal cruelty is a heinous crime that deserves our ultimate condemnation and serious legal consequences for those who engage in it for ‘sport’ and/or profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Division. “Today’s sentencing should serve​as a reminder to those like Mr. Clay Turner who commit such criminal activity, that they will be held accountable. For their outstanding cooperation and great work, we thank our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Louisiana, the Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General, and the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section in the criminal prosecution of those who participated in animal fighting ventures.” 

Trial Attorneys Matthew D. Evans, Christopher Hale and former Senior Trial Attorney Jennifer L. Blackwell of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Shih for the Eastern District of Louisiana prosecuted the case.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – KENDALL GILMER, JR., age 41, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty on April 6, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B), and being a felon in possession of firearms in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, on October 18, 2021, after conducting surveillance on GILMER, Drug Enforcement Administration agents and New Orleans Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on GILMER, who was driving on North Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans. A search of GILMER’s vehicle revealed 80.3 grams of methamphetamine, 10.69 grams of a mixture and substance containing heroin and fentanyl, and two semi-automatic handguns.

For possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, GILMER faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of five years, up to forty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  For being a felon in possession of firearms, GILMER faces up to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years supervised release. For both counts, GILMER faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and New Orleans Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOHNNY TRIPLETT (“TRIPLETT”), age 33 of New Orleans, was sentenced on April 7, 2022 by United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon after previously pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride and 100 grams of heroin. 

According to court records, TRIPLETT and others conspired to transport multiple kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride and heroin between Texas and New Orleans.

The court sentenced TRIPLETT to 151 months of imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release.  TRIPLETT must also pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets. 

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera and Jonathan L. Shih are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Duane A. Evans, announced that MARIO DELUCA (“DELUCA”) has been sentenced on April 6, 2022 to 36 months of probation after pleading guilty in federal court relating to his role in a health care fraud conspiracy.

DELUCA, age 39, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, pled guilty on February 24, 2021 before U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to Count One of a bill of information charging him with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349.

According to the bill of information, in or around March 2014, continuing through in or around October 2016, co-defendants conspired to knowingly and willfully execute a scheme and artifice to defraud TRICARE, a federal health care benefit program affecting commerce, and other health care benefit programs.

Prime Pharmacy contracted with various entities, including Pharmacy Benefit Managers (“PBMs”), obligating Prime Pharmacy to collect copayments from beneficiaries in order to be reimbursed by various health care benefit programs, including TRICARE. Deluca worked with codefendants to market the compounded medications produced by Prime Pharmacy. Deluca and coconspirators worked with marketers outside of the state to find beneficiaries that were willing to receive medically unnecessary compounds and doctors willing to prescribe compounds without medical necessity.

Beginning in or around March 2014, and continuing through in or around April 2016, Prime Pharmacy dispensed prescriptions for High-Yield Compounded Medications to beneficiaries of TRICARE and other health care benefit programs that were not medically necessary, induced by kickback payments, or where copayments were either waived or credited by Prime Pharmacy, and accordingly, submitted or caused to be submitted false and fraudulent claims for reimbursement to TRICARE, other health care benefit programs, and PBMs.

DELUCA was also ordered to repay TRICARE $777,000 in restitution.

“Individuals involved in this scheme illegally billed TRICARE out of close to $15 million and I am pleased that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is requiring justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Cynthia Bruce, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Southeast Field Office.  “There are no victimless crimes and DCIS agents will continue to pursue unscrupulous greedy individuals who steal from our military health care system and all taxpayers.”

“Those entrusted with providing health care services to veterans and their family members will be held accountable should they violate that trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Breen of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s South Central Field Office. “The VA OIG is grateful to the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts to achieve justice in this case.”

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General. 

The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn McHugh.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RITCHEL MOREHEAD, age 41, a resident of Covington, Louisiana, was sentenced on April 7, 2022 to 21 months in prison for committing wire fraud in connection with a fake investment scheme.

The government charged MOREHEAD in a superseding bill of information with committing wire fraud from December 2018 through February 2019. According to court documents, MOREHEAD used a corporation, Chel Corporation, to defraud six victims by embezzling a total of $460,000 that was supposed to cover fees, costs, and down payments for multi-million-dollar loans, when in fact MOREHEAD spent the funds on personal expenses, such as jewelry and a vehicle, and transferred cash to accounts overseas. After MOREHEAD was charged, two additional individuals came forward as victims of the same scheme. Under the terms of the plea agreement, MOREHEAD pled guilty as charged to the superseding bill of information and agreed to pay at $460,000 in restitution to the victims of her scheme, plus amounts owed to any additional victims. The government has already seized $190,784.90 in cash and assets from MOREHEAD, and MOREHEAD pre-paid over $310,000 in restitution in advance of sentencing, for a total of approximately $501,000.

The Honorable Eldon E. Fallon sentenced MOREHEAD to 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Judge Fallon set a restitution hearing for June 16, 2022, to determine the final amount of restitution that MOREHEAD will owe and the schedule for those payments.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Secret Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses oversees the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced SHANNEL SMITH, age 41, of Orleans Parish, Louisiana, to three (3) years of probation for issuing money orders without receiving full payment, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. The sentencing occurred on April 6, 2022.

According to court documents, beginning in May 2019 and continuing until August 2019, SMITH, being an employee of the Postal Service, for the purpose of fraudulently enabling herself to obtain and receive, directly and indirectly, a sum of money from the United States, issued eight (8) postal money orders with face amounts of $150.00, $110.71, $100.00, $125.00, $80.00, $140.00, $100.00, and $150.00 without having previously received the full amount payable to the United States for these money orders, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 500.

Judge Africk sentenced SMITH to serve three (3) years of probation, to pay $955.74 in restitution, and ordered that she pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case was investigated by special agents from the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”).  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachal Cassagne.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that CHRISTOPHER KINZY, age 40, of Kenner, was sentenced on April 5, 2022 by United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry after previously pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). 

According to court documents, KINZY possessed a Glock Model 34, 9x19mm caliber firearm on or about January 25, 2021. 

Judge Guidry sentenced KINZY to a term of imprisonment of 87 months followed by three years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. 

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kenner Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that, on April 6, 2022, TIANNA HART, age 32, of LaPlace pled guilty to making a false statement to the United States Small Business Administration, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2).  In pleading guilty to Count 1 of the bill of information, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of five years, up to three years of supervised release, a restitution order, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

As part of the plea, HART admitted to submitting false information in order to obtain a $20,832.00 Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan from the United States Small Business Administration.  HART falsely attested that she was the owner/sole proprietor of a nail salon that was started on January 1, 2018.  In truth, the business was owned by a third party and was not formed until on or about March 26, 2021.

Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for July 13, 2022, before United States District Judge Lance M. Africk. 

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Secret Service and the St. John’s Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Andre J. Lagarde is in charge of the prosecution.

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.

For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that LERTRICE JOHNSON (“JOHNSON”), age 45, has pled guilty on April 6, 2022 to Count one (1) of her indictment, which charged her with  Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  In pleading guilty to Count 1, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years’ imprisonment; a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years; and a fine up to $250,000.00, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571, as well as a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.  Today’s guilty plea brings the total number of defendants convicted in Operation Sideswipe to thirty-four (34).

As part of her plea, JOHNSON admitted her involvement in a scheme to falsely claim she was a passenger in a car that was struck by a tractor-trailer on June 8, 2016. In fact, the government’s evidence showed that the defendant conspired with Damien Labeaud (“Labeaud”), Keishira Robinson (“K. Robinson”), and others to intentionally collide K. Robinson’s Mazda with a tractor-trailer in the area of Chickasaw Street and Louisa Street in New Orleans.  JOHNSON later lied in her civil deposition, falsely claiming that K. Robinson was driving the Mazda and that the tractor-trailer was at fault. In fact, Labeaud was driving the car and intentionally hit the tractor-trailer.  JOHNSON also claimed that Ashley McGowan (“McGOWAN”) was in the car at the time of the collision when in fact McGowan was not.  Moreover, JOHNSON falsely alleged that she had gone to the hospital after the collision. JOHNSON hoped that, through her false statements, she would secure lucrative monetary settlements from the owner, driver, and insurer of the tractor-trailer.

Sentencing in this matter is set for July 13, 2022, before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Long; Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria M. Carboni; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DAVIENQUE JOHNSON (“JOHNSON”), age 28;   pled guilty to Count one (1) of her indictment, charging Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  In pleading guilty to Count 1, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years’ imprisonment; a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years; and a fine up to $250,000.00, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571, as well as a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Today’s guilty plea brings the total number of defendants convicted in Operation Sideswipe to thirty-five (35).

As part of her plea, JOHNSON admitted her involvement in a scheme to falsely claim she was a passenger in a car that was struck by a tractor-trailer on June 8, 2016. In fact, the government’s evidence showed that the defendant conspired with Damien Labeaud (“Labeaud”), Keishira Robinson (“K. Robinson”), and others to intentionally collide K. Robinson’s Mazda with a tractor-trailer in the area of Chickasaw Street and Louisa Street in New Orleans.  JOHNSON later lied in her civil deposition, falsely claiming that K. Robinson was driving the car that collided with the tractor-trailer, when in fact Labeaud was driving the car and intentionally hit the tractor-trailer.  JOHNSON had relocated from the back row of the Mazda to the front passenger seat after the collision. JOHNSON hoped that, through her false statements, she would secure lucrative monetary settlements from the owner, driver, and insurer of the tractor-trailer. Her case was later settled, which resulted in the mailing of a settlement check.

Sentencing in this matter is set for July 13, 2022, before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Long; Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria M. Carboni; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on April 5, 2022, CLARENCE SANTIAGO, age 22 from New Orleans, pled guilty to various firearm and drug charges stemming from his participation in a December 28, 2020, shootout at the Jung Hotel on Canal Street. 

Earlier this year, a federal grand jury handed down two related indictments charging a total of seven individuals with various violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and Federal Controlled Substances Acts for participating in this shootout.  Today, SANTIAGO pled guilty to Counts 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the indictment, charging him with participating in a conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Count 1) pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o); using, carrying and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime (Count 2) pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 942(c); conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana (Count 3) pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(b)(1)(D); and, illegally maintaining a drug involved premises (Count 4) pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 856.

SANTIAGO will be sentenced on July 12, 2022. Based on his guilty plea, he faces the following sentences:

For Count 1, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, not more than 3 years of supervised release, and not more than a $250,000.00 fine;

For Count 2, he will face a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, not more than 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.  Any prison sentence imposed in connection with this count must be served consecutively to any other prison sentence imposed in connection with this case;

For Count 3, he will face up to a maximum of 5 years in prison, not less than two years of supervised release, and not more than a $250,000.00 fine; and  

For Count 4, he will face a sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised released, a fine of not more than $500,000.00.

SANTIAGO must pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each count of conviction.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorneys Maurice Landrieu and Elizabeth Privitera are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that former long-time St. Tammany Parish Sheriff RODNEY J. STRAIN (a/k/a Jack Strain), age 56, from Abita Springs, Louisiana, was sentenced today to 120 months imprisonment by United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo after previously pleading guilty to Count 15 of the indictment returned in August 2019, charging him with soliciting and receiving bribes, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(B) for his role in the privatization and operation of a work release program that operated in Slidell, Louisiana between 2013 and 2016.  As part of the sentence, Judge Milazzo ordered a $10,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee.  A forfeiture hearing is scheduled for July 13, 2022.  Judge Milazzo also ordered STRAIN to serve his federal sentence concurrently with the sentence he is currently serving based on his conviction in the 22nd Judicial District.

According to court documents, STRAIN, who was the Sheriff of St. Tammany Parish from about 1996 to 2016, had the authority both to decide unilaterally the Parish-run work release programs (i.e., halfway houses) that would be by the Sheriff’s Office or private entities and to decide the private entities to which he would grant the right to operate such privately-run halfway houses.  In about early 2013, STRAIN decided to privatize a work release program in Slidell, Louisiana.  He discussed with his two close associates and Captains with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, David Hanson and Clifford “Skip” Keen, the plan to have Hanson and Keen become joint owners of the Slidell work release program.  Individuals then employed with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, advised STRAIN that state law prohibited Hanson and Keen from owning and operating the Slidell work release program while remaining employed at STPSO.  Additionally, because law prohibited employees from “participating in a transaction in which he has a personal substantial economic interest of which he may be reasonably expected to know involving the governmental entity,” Hanson and Keen would have had to resign from STPSO if they wanted to assume ownership and control of the Slidell work release program. Resignation meant they would have lost their salaries and pension increases from continued employment. 

STRAIN, Hanson, and Keen discussed ways to allow Hanson and Keen to maintain their employment and still profit from the Slidell work release program.  To conceal their scheme, STRAIN, Hanson, and Keen agreed to make Keen’s adult son (J.K.) and Hanson’s adult daughter (B.H.) owners of the Slidell work release program, with the understanding that J.K. and B.H. would funnel much of the profits to Hanson and Keen.    Hanson and Keen agreed to give regular payoffs to STRAIN and his selected family members from the funds they received.  This understanding was partly based on STRAIN having previously required Keen to kickback to STRAIN half of the money Keen earned from an earlier place of employment.

STRAIN, Hanson, and Keen agreed that they needed to find another individual to actually operate the Slidell work release program because J.K. and B.H. lacked the education, training, experience, and funding to do so.  They decided on Person 2, to whom Hanson presented a series of non-negotiable pre-conditions, including the following: J.K. and B.H. would each own forty-five (45) percent of the Slidell work release program and would each receive forty-five (45) percent of the profits, while Person 2 would only own ten (10) percent, receive ten (10) percent of the profits, and receive a salary.  Person 2 would be responsible operating the Slidell work release program and for providing the capital necessary to initiate the program.  On or about May 1, 2013, J.K., B.H., and Person 2 entered into an operating agreement that created St. Tammany Workforce Solutions, LLC, in which J.K. and B.H. each had a forty-five percent ownership interest and Person 2 had only a ten percent ownership interest.

On June 4, 2013, STRAIN entered into a cooperative endeavor agreement (“privatization agreement”) on behalf of STPSO with St. Tammany Workforce Solutions, LLC, a corporation designed to operate the Slidell work release program.  Thereafter, Person 2 was directed to make additional unnecessary financial expenditures.  For example, although J.K. and B.H. were merely straw owners who neither operated, oversaw, or administered the Slidell work release program, Person 2 was required to pay J.K. and B.H. salaries in addition to their ownership disbursements.  Person 2 was also directed to pay Person 3, who was an employee at STPSO and STRAIN’S relative, approximately $30,000 per year for a no-show job at the Slidell work release program.

During the time St. Tammany Workforce Solutions, LLC operated the Slidell work release program, from July 1, 2013, through July 1, 2016, J.K. and B.H. received not less than $1,384,000 from St. Tammany Workforce Solutions, LLC in the form of ownership disbursements, salary payments, and occasional lump sum miscellaneous payments.  J.K. received at least 148 payments totaling at over $676,000, while B.H. received at least 133 payments totaling over $708,000.  J.K. and B.H. converted the majority of the money they received from St. Tammany Workforce Solutions, LLC to cash, much of which they transferred to their fathers, Keen and Hanson.

Additionally, STRAIN, Hanson, and Keen understood that STRAIN and his family members would receive payoffs from Hanson and Keen in exchange for STRAIN’s conferring the right to operate the Slidell work release program on St. Tammany Workforce Solutions, LLC.  The bribes took multiple forms.  The ways Hanson and Keen funneled bribe money to STRAIN included giving STRAIN regular cash payments in amounts greater than $1,000 from the money they received from St. Tammany Workforce Solutions LLC, through B.H. and J.K.  Second, as part of the scheme, Hanson arranged for STRAIN’s relative, Person 1, to receive a check in the amount of $4,000.  Third, STRAIN received campaign money from Hanson and Keen with money from St. Tammany Workforce Solutions, LLC, including a $2,500 payment in November 2015.  Further, STRAIN’s relative received a no-show job from the Slidell work release program that effectively doubled his annual salary.

STRAIN, Hanson, Keen, and others attempted to conceal the scheme by, among other things, (a) hiding Hanson’s and Keen’s involvement in and benefit from the Slidell work release program, (b) excluding from the cooperative endeavor agreement the fact that STRAIN would receive cash bribes and other financial compensation in exchange for signing the cooperative endeavor agreement, and (c) providing most of the money to STRAIN in the form of cash.

“Mr. Strain broke the law and must now face the consequences for his actions, “stated U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.  “His crime was a breach of the public trust owed to the citizens of St. Tammany Parish.  Similarly, because the trust between our law enforcement agencies and the citizens they protect is precious, it is imperative that collectively, we assure the public of our unwavering commitment to identify and prosecute anyone who engages in public corruption.”

“The FBI is committed to aggressively pursuing those who violate the trust placed in them by the public and holding them accountable for their actions, even if they come from within the ranks of law enforcement. Today's sentencing sends a clear message that individuals like Jack Strain will be held responsible and no one is above the law," said Douglas A. Williams, Jr. Special Agent in Charge FBI New Orleans "We thank our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Louisiana, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission, for their collaborative efforts in holding our public servants accountable.”

“The sentence handed down today highlights the seriousness of former sheriff Jack Strain’s conduct,” said Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office.  “IRS-CI will remain vigilant in identifying and investigating public officials who seek to defraud the American taxpayers by failing to faithfully discharge the duties of their offices.”

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and thanks the Metropolitan Crime Commission for its assistance.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Corruption Unit, Elizabeth Privitera, Chief of the Violent Crime Unit, J. Ryan McLaren, and Alexandra Giavotella, Asset Forfeiture Coordinator, were in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JORGE OMAR JIMINEZ, age 24,  a resident of San Antonio, Texas, was sentenced on March 31, 2022 to eighteen (18) months’ imprisonment, three (3) months of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee by U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter after pleading guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute one-hundred (100) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, in February 2020, a Mexican drug trafficker contacted a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) confidential source and offered to supply the source with a half-kilogram of heroin by way of a courier.  On February 9, 2020, the courier, JIMINEZ, arrived in New Orleans and checked into a hotel on Canal Street.  The following day, under the direction of HSI agents, the source arranged a meeting with JIMINEZ to conduct the transaction.  As JIMINEZ left the hotel to meet the source, agents approached JIMINEZ who was in possession of a black bag.  After obtaining consent from JIMINEZ, agents searched the bag and located a pair of black tennis shoes inside a separate back pack.  Concealed in the soles of each shoe was a black tar substance.  Laboratory analysis confirmed the substance as heroin and the total weight was approximately one half-kilogram.  In a post-arrest interview, JIMINEZ told agents an unknown man provided him with the shoes in McAllen, Texas and instructed him to travel to New Orleans and sell the drugs to the source for $11,000.00.

This case was investigated by the Office of Homeland Security Investigations.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.