Eastern District of Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that JAMES MOHAMAD, 52, of Kenner, was charged on December 10, 2021 in a 5-count superseding indictment by a federal Grand Jury with conspiracy to use an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1952(a)(3)) and filing false tax returns (Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1)).

According to the superseding indictment, MOHAMAD, the Director of the Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement for the City of Kenner, paid bribe money to Brian Medus, the Assistant Chief Mechanical Inspector for the City of New Orleans, Safety and Permits Department, in return for the issuance of fraudulent permits for MOHAMAD’s HVAC jobs. Throughout the course of the conspiracy, MOHAMAD paid Medus and others approximately $93,000 to further the bribery scheme.  Additionally, MOHAMAD is charged with four counts of filing false tax returns for 2016-2019.

If convicted of Count 1, MOHAMAD faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of not more than $250,000, up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.   As to each of Counts 2-5, MOHAMAD faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three (3) years, a fine of not more than $250,000, up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

A co-defendant, Brian Medus, has pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and is scheduled for sentencing on February 16, 2022.

The United States Attorney’s Office reiterated that the Superseding Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, and the City of New Orleans/Office of Inspector General.  Assistance was also provided by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Assistant United States Attorney Tracey N. Knight is prosecuting the matter.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that ELIJAH CHARLES SORINA (“SORINA”), age 33, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on December 10, 2021 for Theft of Government Funds.

According to documents filed in federal court, SORINA continued to receive Social Security Administration (“SSA”) disability benefits after he claimed he was disabled and unable to work.  Federal special agents determined SORINA began working for a local transportation company as a school bus driver in 2014 after he obtained a commercial driver’s license.  SSA determined that from May 2014 until August 2016, SORINA received benefits of $19,897.00 to which he was not entitled because he concealed his employment from the SSA. 

U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown sentenced SORINA to a sentence of time served, restitution in the amount of $19,897.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General and the Louisiana State Police.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that CHRISTY BARTHOLOMEW, age 39, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was sentenced on December 8, 2021 to 72 months of incarceration by U.S. District Court Judge Lance M. Africk today after she pleaded guilty to a two-count Bill of Information for wire fraud.

According to court records, BARTHOLOMEW was employed as a financial controller for a business located in Slidell, Louisiana, and later worked as an office manager for a company located in Kenner, Louisiana. From 2016 to October of 2019, she embezzled approximately $357,000 from her Slidell employer by several schemes, including unauthorized use of a company credit card. She later did the same thing with her Kenner employer, embezzling approximately $300,000 from November 2019 to February 2020.  

BARTHOLOMEW is scheduled to self-surrender in February 2022. After incarceration with the Bureau of Prisons, BARTHOLOMEW will be placed on three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $200 mandatory special assessment fee and full restitution to the victims.  

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, along with assistance from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera was in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JAMIE MARIE KILLIAN (“KILLIAN”), age 41, of Chalmette, Louisiana, was sentenced on December 8, 2021 for theft of government funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

According to documents filed in federal court, beginning in or about August 2013, and continuing until in or about June 2020, in the Eastern District of Louisiana and elsewhere, the defendant, JAMIE MARIE KILLIAN, did knowingly embezzle, steal, purloin, and convert to her use, money belonging to the United States and a department and agency thereof, namely, money of the Social Security Administration, to which she knew she was not entitled, when she utilized approximately $99,940.00 in Social Security Administration funds.

U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced KILLIAN to a three-year term of probation, restitution in the amount of $99,940, and a $100 special assessment fee.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General 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.

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DAVONTE DEJEAN, age 27, of New Orleans, was sentenced on November 30, 2021 by United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry after previously pleading guilty to drug and firearms offenses. 

Specifically, DEJEAN previously pled guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), one count of possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). 

According to court documents, DEJEAN possessed a Glock .40 caliber firearm and 13 bullets on May 22, 2017, and possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base on May 22, 2017. 

In total, Judge Guidry sentenced DEJEAN to 190 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment fee. 

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that JAMAR RUCKER, age 45, a resident of Houston, Texas, was sentenced on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 to 78 months in prison, four years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo for possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide, that is, fentanyl, a Schedule II drug controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).

According to court records, Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation developed evidence that RUCKER intended to travel to the New Orleans area on January 10, 2018, to supply a quantity of narcotics to his New Orleans-based customer, Arthur Johnson. RUCKER had previously delivered kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin to Johnson in New Orleans.     

RUCKER had planned to meet Johnson on the evening of January 10, 2018, in the parking lot of Clearview Shopping Center in Metairie, Louisiana. That night, agents established surveillance at the entrance of Clearview Shopping Center. Agents positively identified RUCKER as he drove into the parking lot in a silver Mazda MZ6.  Once RUCKER pulled into a parking spot on the third level of the garage, he exited his car, walked to the passenger side, and began to remove a black laptop bag from the car.  Agents approached RUCKER. Upon seeing the agents, RUCKER dropped the bag back into the car.  Agents detained RUCKER. Inside of the laptop bag, agents recovered four individually wrapped packages, weighing a total gross weight of 4515.5 grams, and a total net weight of just less than 4 kilograms. The packages contained a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide, that is, “fentanyl.” RUCKER knowingly and voluntarily possessed the fentanyl with intent to distribute to Johnson. 

Johnson and seven other codefendants were charged in 2018 in a separate case with conspiring to distribute heroin in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas. Seven of these defendants, including Johnson, pleaded guilty to drug offenses in that case. RUCKER pleaded guilty in this case on December 4, 2018.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the FBI’s New Orleans Gang Task Force in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney David Howard Sinkman is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that STERLING ROBINSON, also known as “Scooter,” age 31, a resident in the New Orleans area, was convicted on December 7, 2021 by a jury in the Eastern District of Louisiana of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) and obstruction of justice in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1512(c)(2).

Testimony and evidence introduced at trial proved that ROBINSON possessed a firearm and ammunition when he fired five (5) shots into a car being driven by his girlfriend with her nine-year-old son as a passenger. The shooting occurred on March 13, 2020 in the 7700 block of Downman Road in New Orleans. ROBINSON then obstructed justice by attempting to dishonestly influence his girlfriend into testifying that someone else shot at her and her son. According to court records, ROBINSON was previously convicted of a federal felony charge for being in possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. When the current offense happened, ROBINSON was still on supervised release with U.S. Probation after having served a five-year sentence for that previous conviction.

ROBINSON is facing up to ten years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 for being a felon in possession of a firearm. For obstruction of justice, he faces up to twenty years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

The Honorable U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon presided over the case and no sentencing date has been set at this time.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr. and Charles D. Strauss prosecuted to the case.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane Evans announced today that JOSEPH HERBERT BARLOW Jr. (BARLOW), age 52, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison. He pleaded guilty to a one-count Indictment for bank robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a) before U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter on July 27, 2021.

In papers filed in open court, BARLOW admitted to robbing the Home Bank located on Magazine Street New Orleans, Louisiana on December 19, 2019, stealing approximately $6,676.00.

BARLOW entered the bank and told the teller “I am here to rob this bank. Do not press any button or notify the police. I have a gun so give me all the money.”

Judge Vitter ordered BARLOW to pay $6,676.00 in restitution, serve three (3) years supervised release after his prison term and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Carter K. D. Guice Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that PATRICK DADE, age 27, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced on December 2, 2021 by United States Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon after previously pleading guilty to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act. 

Specifically, DADE previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846.  According to court documents, DADE conspired to distribute over 100 grams of heroin, and was arrested in Kenner, Louisiana on May 6, 2019 in possession of over 600 grams of heroin. 

In total, Judge Lemmon sentenced Dade to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by 8 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Kenner Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that ERIC METZ, age 38, JOSHUA MACKEY, age 35, FREDERICK TURNER, age 49, DARON WILLIAMS, age 46, LONNIE WILLIAMS, age 38, CALLEIGH AMOS, age 29, THEODORE HOLMES, JR., age 33, LESLIE PARKER, age 40, and KORAL WELLS, age 64, all from Plaquemines Parish, were charged in a sealed indictment on November 19, 2021 for conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine, crack, and methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and 846. The indictment was unsealed on December 1, 2021.

Additionally, DARON WILLIAMS is charged in Count Two of the Indictment with possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine, WELLS is charged in Counts Three and Four with possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of crack and a quantity of methamphetamine, respectively, and LONNNIE WILLIAMS in charged in Count Five with possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of crack, all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841 (b)(1)(C). If convicted, each of the nine defendants face up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000,000, a period of at least 3 years supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 for each charged drug count.

METZ, HOLMES, PARKER, AMOS, TURNER, and MACKEY are also charged in Counts Six through Nine with the illegal use of a communications facility in facilitating the distribution of controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 843(b), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. If convicted, the charged defendants face up to 4 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000, a period of one year of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 for each of these counts.

METZ, a convicted felon, is also charged in Count Ten with possessing a firearm as a felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(e). Given his criminal history, METZ faces up to fifteen years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. 

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

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 Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys David Howard Sinkman and J. Benjamin Myers are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that WILLIE WALKER, age 56, was charged on Friday, December 3, 2021, by grand jury indictment with two counts of failure to report international travel as a sex offender under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

If convicted, WALKER faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000.00 fine, a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

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.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Spiro G. Latsis and Rachal Cassagne are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JAVORIOUS SCOTT, aka JAYDAYOUNGAN, age 23, a Bogalusa resident and rapper was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm while under indictment for a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(n)(1) and 924(a)(1)(D), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, on October 29, 2021, officers with the Bogalusa Police Department executed a traffic stop on a silver-colored Audi bearing a Virginia license plate traveling south on South Columbia Street in Bogalusa, Louisiana because the vehicle possessed a switched license plate.  SCOTT, the driver of the vehicle, failed to provide his license or vehicle registration.  While speaking to SCOTT and the passenger, officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana in the vehicle.  The officers also observed a black handgun on the driver’s side floorboard directly beneath SCOTT’S legs.  Officers removed SCOTT from the vehicle and observed a small amount of suspected marijuana in the driver’s seat.  Officers then recovered a loaded Ruger Model Security-9, 9mm, pistol from the driver’s side floorboard. 

At the time that the officers located and seized the firearm from the floorboard, SCOTT was under indictment for felony crimes, possession of a controlled substance and assault, in Harris County, Texas.

SCOTT faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee. 

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 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.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Bogalusa Police Department.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CARLOS WALKER, age 31, a resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, on September 24, 2021, WALKER, knowing he had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess a Taurus Model G2C 9mm pistol.

WALKER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee. 

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 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.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Bogalusa Police Department.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that THIERNO O. BAH, age 30, a resident of New York, New York, was sentenced on December 1, 2021 by U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance to 54 months in prison for his role in a criminal conspiracy that involved using false passports to defraud banks.

According to court documents, BAH and codefendant Manuela Gonzalez-Bookman flew from Newark Liberty International Airport to Louis Armstrong International on February 18, 2020. The following day they drove a rental car to a Capital One branch in Metairie. Gonzalez-Bookman entered the bank while BAH waited in the car outside. Gonzalez-Bookman then attempted to cash a stolen check while using a false passport card in the name of another person. When bank employees became suspicious, they called Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies who arrested the pair. Federal agents subsequently determined that BAH and Gonzalez-Bookman had executed the scheme at several other bank branches while using stolen identities. The two individuals had also taken a prior trip to New Orleans on January 31, 2020, where they executed or attempted to execute at least seven fraudulent transactions, including a failed attempt to withdraw $18,600.00 in cash from one victim’s account.

Court documents further detailed how agents developed additional evidence connecting BAH to further fraud. Agents searched BAH’s phone after obtaining a search warrant and found additional stolen credit card numbers along with identities. In one example, BAH’s phone contained a photo of a handwritten note that included a victim’s name, address, social security number, date of birth, current account balance, and last transaction from the victim’s bank account. Agents used this information to corroborate further fraud committed by BAH.

Agents also learned that BAH had pending charges in the Supreme Court for New York, Bronx County. As set forth in BAH’s factual basis, he was pulled over by NYPD officers on July 31, 2019. During the traffic stop, BAH provided a fake ID to officers. The officers also observed credit card skimming paraphernalia in his vehicle. Officers subsequently seized a total of 29 credit cards, three drivers’ licenses, and a card skimming device. The Bronx District Attorney’s Office obtained an indictment charging BAH with 30 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument second degree, 30 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument second degree, one count of criminal possession of forgery devices, and one count of unlawful possession of a skimmer device in the second degree.

As to Count 1, passport fraud conspiracy, Judge Vance sentenced BAH to thirty (30) months in prison and three (3) years of supervised release. As to Count 3, aggravated identity theft, Judge Vance sentenced BAH to a mandatory consecutive twenty-four (24) months in prison, one (1) year of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each Count. The periods of supervised release for both counts will run concurrently. Judge Vance also ordered BAH to pay restitution totaling $32,614.13. Considering the restitution obligation, Judge Vance waived any fine.

The investigation was handled by the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service and Homeland Security Investigations. U.S. Attorney Evans extended his thanks to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office for their assistance. U.S. Attorney Evans also thanked the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and the New York Police Department for their contribution to this successful prosecution. Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew R. Payne, K. Paige O’Hale, and J. Ryan McLaren are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that HECTOR RODRIGUEZ-RODRIGUEZ, age 55, pleaded guilty on November 30, 2021 to 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 reentered the United States after he was previously deported on October 27, 1992. Furthermore, on or about May 29, 2019, the defendant was convicted of illegal possession of less than two grams of cocaine and aggravated battery in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.   

HECTOR RODRIGUEZ-RODRIGUEZ faces a maximum term of up to imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, a maximum term of up to supervised release of three (3) years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey has set sentencing for February 2, 2021.

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 – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that, earlier today, U.S. District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced defendant JILL LEWIS (“LEWIS”), age 41, resident of Madisonville, Louisiana, to six (6) months’ home confinement and two (2) years’ probation. LEWIS previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of her involvement in a postal fraud scheme. LEWIS is also required to pay restitution in the amount of $42,749.74.

According to her guilty plea, between January 2014 and January 2016, LEWIS and her co-conspirator conspired to submit false insurance claims to the United States Postal Service (“USPS”), causing the USPS to mail reimbursement checks to LEWIS and her co-conspirator for over $42,000. In this scheme, LEWIS and her co-conspirator falsely claimed that they had purchased expensive jewelry and other items and attempted to return the items to the retailers through the mail, but the USPS had lost the items. LEWIS and her co-conspirator then submitted forged invoices to the USPS to support the reimbursement amounts. The false claims and forged documents caused the USPS to send the reimbursement checks to LEWIS and a co-conspirator through the mail.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, for its work in investigating this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon Long and Shirin Hakimzadeh.

A Louisiana man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to defraud the IRS.

According to court documents, from 2011 to April 2018, Randall Lackey of Jefferson Parish conspired to defraud the IRS by concealing his own income and the income of others. Lackey worked as an employee for two commercial construction companies, SES Construction Consulting Group (SES) and Global Technical Solutions (GTS). To hide his income from the IRS, Lackey had his SES and GTS wages paid to R&O Renovations and Reconstructions (R&O), a company he owned. For the 2012 through 2017 tax years, Lackey did not file corporate income tax returns for R&O or personal income tax returns with the IRS. Lackey’s co-conspirators furthered the scheme by falsely classifying Lackey as a contractor of SES and GTS rather than an employee. As a result, Lackey had no taxes withheld from his paycheck and SES and GTS avoided paying employment taxes on his wages. Lackey and other members of the conspiracy also hired workers who lacked proper documentation and were not authorized to work in the United States, and then paid them in cash “off the books.”

Lackey is scheduled to be sentenced on March 16, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Other members of the conspiracy, Randy Farrell, the current owner of SES and GTS; Mathew Reck, the former co-owner of SES and GTS; and two other employees of SES and GTS, Dawn Farrell Ruiz and David Farrell (Randy Farrell’s sister and brother), all previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS. Reck is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 12, 2022. Randy Farrell, David Farrell, and Farrell Ruiz are all scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 9, 2022.

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

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys William Montague and Parker Tobin of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses of the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.

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, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo 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. 

According to court documents, STRAIN, who was the Sheriff of St. Tammany Parish from about 1996 to 2016, had the unilateral authority to decide whether Parish-run work release programs (i.e., halfway houses) would be operated by the Sheriff’s Office or private entities and to choose which private entities would be granted the right to operate 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 (STPSO), David Hanson and Clifford “Skip” Keen, the prospect of Hanson and Keen becoming joint owners of the Slidell work release program.  However, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office employees advised STRAIN that state law prohibited Hanson and Keen from owning and operating the Slidell work release program while employed at STPSO.  As a result, since state 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. Thus, they would be obliged to forfeit their salaries and pension increases from continued employment with STPSO to become joint owners.

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 for 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 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. 

Hanson and Keen were charged for their roles in the scheme in November 2018.  They pleaded guilty on February 27, 2019 and were each sentenced to fifty (50) months in prison by United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle on October 6, 2021.

“Mr. Strain broke the law and must now face the consequences, “stated U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.  “More disturbing was that 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 identity and prosecute anyone who engages in public corruption.”

“Rooting out public corruption remains one of the IRS-CI’s highest priorities,” said Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Today’s guilty plea underscores our commitment to work in a collaborative effort to promote honest and ethical government at all levels and to prosecute those who violated the public’s trust.”

“When a law enforcement officer chooses to violate their oath of office and commit crimes, their actions erode public trust and confidence and tarnish the entire community of dedicated public servants. Today’s guilty plea is a result of the FBI’s commitment to bringing corrupt officials to justice like former sheriff Jack Strain, who engaged in deceitful, corrupt practices involving kickbacks and bribery schemes for personal gain, will be held accountable,” said FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. "We thank our partners at the United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, and Metropolitan Crime Commission for their strong partnership and unrelenting pursuit of justice."

STRAIN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to ten (10) years.  He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  STRAIN has also acknowledged that he may be liable for restitution ordered by Judge Milazzo.  As part of the plea, the Government has made no representation, and cannot determine, the order in which he will serve any sentence of imprisonment imposed in this matter and in any currently pending state criminal matter in which he is a defendant.  Sentencing before Judge Milazzo has been scheduled for March.

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, and J. Ryan McLaren are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Duane A. Evans announced that KENDALL BARNES, age 25, of New Orleans, was sentenced for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2); possession with the intent to distribute heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and obstruction of justice, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1503(1) and 2.

According to court documents, on or about February 19, 2018, BARNES placed a recorded jail call directing another individual to move a firearm and ten bags of heroin from a hidden location. 

U.S. District Judge Greg. G. Guidry sentenced BARNES to serve eleven (11) years and nine (9) months in prison, to be followed by three (3) years of supervised release.  Judge Guidry also imposed a $400 mandatory special assessment fee.

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 New Orleans Violent Crimes Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Orleans Police Department in this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – DUANE A. DUFRENE, age 54, of Destrehan, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on November 24, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of money laundering before U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Jane Triche Milazzo, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

As charged in the now unsealed indictment, DUFRENE and a co-conspirator, Ryan Mullen, utilized fictitious entities, falsified tax returns, fraudulent financial statements, and fraudulent appraisals to orchestrate their scheme to defraud the lenders for the purchases of a residence in Jayess, MS (State Bank and Trust), The Briars bed and breakfast in Natchez, MS (Keesler Federal Credit Union) and two other Natchez hotels (Red Oak Capital Group, LLC).  The sale of the Jayess residence was premised on false financial information provided by DUFRENE to Mullen, who then gave it to State Bank and Trust. The sales of The Briars and the two hotels were not only premised upon false information prepared by DUFRENE and given to the financial institutions by Mullen but also upon inflated appraisals based on side sales agreements between Mullen and DUFRENE. After the sales of the bed and breakfast and hotel properties, Mullen paid DUFRENE the sum of $90,000. Mullen pocketed over $3 million from the overvalued loans and  used the proceeds to buy at least 20 high-end luxury cars, a number of which have been seized by the United States.

Sentencing for DUFRENE is set for February 23, 2022. At that time, he faces a maximum sentence of up to thirty (30) years as to the bank fraud conspiracy, and a maximum sentence of up to ten years on the money laundering conspiracy. After imprisonment, the defendant faces up to five (5) years of supervised release, and up to a $1,000,000 fine on the bank fraud count, and up to three (3) years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine on the money laundering count. Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

U.S. Attorney Evans commended the special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS-Criminal Investigation for their handling of the matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Edward J. Rivera and Andre Lagarde.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – BEAU HEBERT, age 40, of Terrebonne Parish, La., was charged November 19, 2021, in a 4-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with several narcotics offenses, including distribute and possession with intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(A). HEBERT was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

If convicted of the narcotics trafficking charges, HEBERT faces a mandatory minimum term of ten (10) years imprisonment and up to 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.   HEBERT also faces ten (10) years of imprisonment if convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in addition to a consecutive sixty (60)-month term of imprisonment if convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. HEBERT also faces a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count.

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 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, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Houma Police Department, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Bücher.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that EVERTO JAVIER URBINA-BALLADARES a/k/a “JOHAN MANUEL ALBIZU-ORTIZ, age 46, a native of Nicaragua, was charged on November 19, 2021 in a one-count indictment with illegally using a social security number in order to obtain employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).

URBINA-BALLADARES faces up to a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) year term 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 that JUAN RAMON MARTINEZ, age 42, a native of Mexico, was charged on November 19, 2021 in a one-count indictment with illegally using a social security number in order to obtain employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).

MARTINEZ 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 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 –  ZACHARY VERDIN, age 29, a resident of Marrero, Louisiana pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery before the Honorable Susie Morgan, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. VERDIN faces up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, as to each count. Sentencing is currently scheduled for February 22, 2022. 

According to Count One of the bill of information, on or about July 19, 2021, VERDIN robbed the Capital One Bank located in Marrero, Louisiana. He obtained approximately $521 in the robbery. According to Count Two of the bill of information, on or about July 26, 2021, VERDIN robbed the Chase Bank located in New Orleans, Louisiana. He obtained approximately $1,000 in that robbery. According to Count Three of the bill of information, on or about August 2, 2021, VERDIN robbed the Regions Bank located in Gretna, Louisiana. He obtained approximately $12,540 in that robbery.

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

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that PERNELL ANTHONY JONES, JR., age 31, of Kenner, Louisiana, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 and Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341.

According to court documents, beginning in or around 2015, JONES took flights with commercial airlines under false or fictitious identities using fraudulent identification cards.  When he arrived at the destination airport, JONES falsely claimed that his baggage was lost and requested reimbursement to compensate him for his lost luggage.  Through this scheme, JONES and his co-conspirators submitted over 180 false claims to commercial airlines, including American, Alaska, Southwest, United, and JetBlue, requesting over $550,000 in reimbursement.  In total, the airlines paid over $300,000 in fraudulent claims.

JONES’s plea documents state that, on April 7, 2018, JONES was arrested at Dallas Love Airport while attempting to go through screening by the Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) with 36 fraudulent driver’s licenses and 47 credit cards under fictitious names.  On March 5, 2020, JONES was arrested again while attempting to pick up a reimbursement check for a fraudulent baggage claim at Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana.  Law enforcement searched JONES’s residence on March 5, 2020 and found 34 fraudulent driver’s licenses; 21 fake work identification cards; and a number of fraudulent airline employee badges containing JONES’s photograph.

For each count, JONES faces a maximum term of twenty (20) years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for February 24, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Evans would like to acknowledge the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Dallas Police Department. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni.

NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MIKAL BLACK, age 23, of Ironton, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on November 23, 2021 to a single count of being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to court documents, BLACK was previously convicted of manufacturing a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance. Being a felon, BLACK is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. He has now been convicted of possessing a firearm on August 11, 2020.

BLACK faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to ten (10) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter has set the sentencing hearing in the case for February 22, 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 works 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 Plaquemines Parish Sherriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.in investigating this matter.  Assistant U. S. Attorney Charles D. Strauss is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on Friday, November 19, 2021, KEON ESTEEN, age 18, a resident of Orleans Parish, was charged in a two-count indictment for carjacking and a gun violation.  Count 1 of the indictment charges ESTEEN with a carjacking that occurred on April 3, 2021, in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Count 2 charges ESTEEN with using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

In Count 1 of the indictment, ESTEEN is charged with carjacking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119(1).  If convicted, ESTEEN faces a maximum sentence of up to fifteen (15) years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, a period of up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  In Count 2, ESTEEN is charged with using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii).  If convicted, ESTEEN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven (7) years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, to be run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of up to $250,000, a period of up to five (5) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

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.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime/Strike Force Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that EVERTO JAVIER URBINA-BALLADARES a/k/a “JOHAN MANUEL ALBIZU-ORTIZ, age 46, a native of Nicaragua, was charged on November 19, 2021 in a one-count indictment with illegally using a social security number in order to obtain employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).

URBINA-BALLADARES faces up to a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) year term 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 – TRAVIS CARTER, age 42, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, was charged on November 19, 2021, in a one-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with possession with intent to distribute cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

If convicted, CARTER faces up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

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 Drug Enforcement Administration, Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s Office, and St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ben Myers.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on November 18, 2021 MARIO RENE REYES-CARDONA, age 51, was charged in a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).

According to the indictment, MARIO RENE REYES-CARDONA (“REYES-CARDONA”), reentered the United States after he was previously deported in December 2013.  If convicted, REYES-CARDONA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to two years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of up to one (1) year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. 

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 United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – A federal grand jury in New Orleans, Louisiana returned a four-count indictment on November 19, 2021 charging a woman for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act.

According to court documents, MAGALI CASTILLO-PADRON, age 30, is charged in Count 1 with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A).  In Count 2, CASTILLO-PADRON is charged with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(5)(A) and 924(a)(2).  In Count 3, CASTILLO-PADRON is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).  In Count 4, CASTILLO-PADRON is charged with reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).   

If convicted of Count 1, CASTILLO-PADRON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  If convicted of Count 2, CASTILLO-PADRON faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  If convicted of Count 3, CASTILLO-PADRON faces a mandatory minimum consecutive 5 years imprisonment, up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  If convicted of Count 4, CASTILLO-PADRON faces up to 2 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 1 year supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. 

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 reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Kenner Police Department and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Usher.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that STEPHONE BRIDGES, age 32, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged on November 19, 2021 in a one-count indictment for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. BRIDGES was charged with having a Glock semi-automatic pistol on or about August 15, 2021.

If convicted, BRIDGES faces up to ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, up to a $250,000.00 fine, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

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.

The case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane Evans announced today that THERESA WOOD (“WOOD”) was sentenced to one (1) year probation today after pleading guilty as charged to count one of an indictment for false statements in a passport application in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1542 before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon.   Judge Eldon Fallon also ordered WOOD to perform twenty-five (25) hours of community service.

According to papers signed by WOOD, she made an application for a U.S. passport for her minor child using information belonging to another individual.  It is a crime to lie on a passport application. She convinced a co-worker, who resembled the father of her minor child, to fraudulently claim to be the father at the signing of the application before a notary to be submitted to the State Department.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Diplomatic Security Service of the State Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. was in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that ELI JUAN MOORE, age 26, a resident of LaPlace, Louisiana, was sentenced on November 18, 2021 to 46 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing heroin (Count One), distributing a quantity of a mixture or substance containing heroin (Count Five), and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm (Count Seven). Additionally, MOORE was ordered to serve three (3) years of supervised release and pay $300 in mandatory special assessment fees. The sentences in each count are to run concurrently. No fines were imposed in this case.

According to court documents, in January 2019, MOORE sold heroin to a confidential informant. In May 2019, MOORE, who had previously been convicted of a felony, possessed an FM Hi-Power Model Detective, nine-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol during a search of his residence.  

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Saint John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Bayonle Osundare prosecuted the matter.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on November 18, 2021, MICHAEL LEWIS, age 33, a resident of Edgard, Louisiana, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  He faces a sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, not more than three years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.  LEWIS was charged in a one-count indictment with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.  LEWIS will be sentenced on January 27, 2022. 

As part of his guilty plea, LEWIS, admitted to the following facts:

On Friday May 11, 2018 at approximately 11:45pm officers conducted a traffic stop on MICHAEL LEWIS for traffic violations (crossing the center lane and turning without a signal) in Thibodaux, Louisiana.  The officers approached LEWIS and asked for his license.  LEWIS did not have a driver’s license.  Officers also observed an open beer and marijuana on the center console of the vehicle.  As deputies conducted a pat down for their safety, LEWIS pushed one of the deputies and tried to run.  LEWIS was then subdued by the officers after resisting arrest.  A search of LEWIS revealed a loaded gun in his waistband.  A criminal history check revealed that LEWIS had several prior felony convictions.

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 Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (A.T.F.).  Assistant United States Attorney Maurice Landrieu is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the indictment on November 18, 2021 of the following eight current and former merchant mariners related to a test score-fixing scheme at a United States Coast Guard exam center:  RANSFORD ACKAH, NATHANIEL DOMINICK, ODELL GRIGGS, DEVIN HEBERT, RAYNEL LEWIS, ADRIAN MACK, MAURICE PALMER, and DERRICK WARD.

The defendants are each charged with obtaining, and intending to use, officer-level licenses that were procured through falsified exam scores.  The fraudulent scores were for examinations designed to test the mariners’ knowledge and training to safely operate under the authority of those licenses.

The allegations stem from an investigation that resulted in a previous indictment charging former Coast Guard credentialing specialist Dorothy Smith with accepting bribes in exchange for entering false passing examination scores. Twenty-eight current and former mariners were charged in that earlier indictment and have all pled guilty. Smith and two other former-Coast Guard employees are awaiting trial in that case.

If convicted, each defendant in this indictment faces a sentence of up to five (5) years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee.

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

This case is being investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that KENNIE SANTOS-PAYANO, age 26, a resident of Kissimmee, Florida, was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon for possession with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride. Additionally, SANTOS-PAYANO was ordered to serve five (5) years of supervised release and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. No fines were imposed in this case.

According to court records, on September 25, 2019, a Louisiana State Police Trooper conducted a traffic stop in Madisonville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, on Interstate 12 eastbound on a vehicle bearing a Florida license plate.  The stop was based on a traffic violation.  The trooper identified the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle as SANTOS-PAYANO.

Shortly after the traffic stop, troopers deployed a trained and qualified K-9 drug detection dog, and the dog performed a free air sniff test on the exterior of SANTOS-PAYANO’s vehicle.  The K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.  A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 8.5 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride.

The Office of Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Bayonle Osundare is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that CHASITY DOTEY a/k/a “CHASITY PINES”, age 27, of Slidell, Louisiana, was sentenced to two (2) years of probation after she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to alter U.S. Postal Money Orders before United States District Court Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon today.

According to court records, DOTEY cashed two altered U.S. Postal Money Orders in the amounts of $530.00 each at a U.S. Post Office located in Slidell, Louisiana. The two Postal Money Orders had been purchased in California for minimal value and then altered to reflect a higher amount by unknown co-conspirators.

In addition to probation, DOTEY was given three (3) years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution to the government in the amount of $7,540. There is also a $100 mandatory special assessment fee due after conviction.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera was in charge of the prosecution.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP).  The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Eastern District of Louisiana (4) municipalities were awarded funding totaling more than $8 million.

“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”

“From our District’s eclectic and vibrant urban cityscapes to our quaint and rustic rural localities, we all in some capacity have been affected by violent crime and its secondary effects on our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.  “These award announcements highlight the commitment from the Department of Justice to afford state and local partners funding to hire the personnel needed to enhance public safety, combat violent crime, and most importantly nurture community relationships through community policing efforts within our District.”

The following cities, towns or municipalities in the Eastern District of Louisiana received awards:

• City of Bogalusa:                                                       $219,088
• City of New Orleans:                                                 $7,266,305
• Village of Tangipahoa            :                                  $125,000
• Terrebonne Parish Consolidate Government:     $500,000
   
  CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.  
   
  Since its creation in 1994, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 135,000 officers. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
   
  To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/.  
   
  The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served.
   
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today the unsealing of the indictment of EMMANUEL UGBAJA (“UGBAJA”), age 53, of Duluth, Georgia. UGBAJA was charged in a three-count federal indictment with one (1) count of Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956 and two (2) counts of Money Laundering in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1957.

The indictment alleges that in 2018, two persons were victimized by two separate internet scams – one from Kansas sent money to an unknown co-conspirator posing as a love interest in what is known as a “romance scam” and the other from California sent money to a person posing to be an attorney in what is known as an “inheritance scam.” At the direction of the co-conspirators, the victims were told to send the funds to a bank account controlled by UGBAJA. UGBAJA retained a portion of the funds for himself and then sent the victim funds in the amount of $60,000 total to a local maritime broker, Bourg Marine, as part of a down payment for the unrelated purchase of a vessel.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00 per count or twice the gross gain to the defendant of twice the gross loss to the victim, and a $100 mandatory special fee for 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 indictment is part of an ongoing national effort by the Department of Justice to address online fraud schemes often based overseas that target U.S. citizens. The public is encouraged to report potential online fraud activity or scams to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at https://www.ic3.gov/.

The United States Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that CHANDRIKA BROWN (“BROWN”), age 30, of New Orleans, Louisiana, entered a plea of guilty today to 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 today’s guilty plea, 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. Today’s guilty plea brings the total number of defendants convicted in “Operation Sideswipe” to twenty-nine (29).

According to court documents, 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 a passenger and he then intentionally 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.

BROWN faces a maximum sentence of up to five (5) years of incarceration. Upon release from prison, BROWN also faces a term of supervised release of up to (3) three years, and/or a fine of up to $250,000 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, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for February 16, 2022, before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance.

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. 

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DARIUS PATIN, age 33, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged on November 12, 2021 in a one-count indictment for delay or destruction of mail.

According to court documents, PATIN was employed by the United States Postal Service as a City Carrier and was assigned to work at Carrollton Station, New Orleans, LA. The indictment alleges that on or about April 28, 2021, PATIN secreted, destroyed, detained, and delayed approximately 1,377 pieces of mail that were recovered from a dumpster in an apartment complex. PATIN also unlawfully secreted, detained, and delayed approximately nine First Class letters, eight standard letters, four standard flats, and two periodicals in his personal vehicle.

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. 

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of up to five (5) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachal Cassagne is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey sentenced BRADLEY BRIGHT, 32, of New Orleans, Louisiana, today to ten (10) years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.   

In February 2020, BRIGHT was indicted for various counts of distribution of heroin and cocaine base, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

Court documents show that as part of his plea, BRIGHT admitted that he was distributing crack cocaine near a store on Basin Street outside the French Quarter.  New Orleans Police Department Officers observed the sale and stopped the buyer, who had a crack pipe in her pocket and crack in her purse.  After confirming the transaction had in fact been a hand-to-hand drug sale, the officers then moved in to arrest BRIGHT, who attempted to flee.  After a brief chase, the officers subdued BRIGHT and found a .40 caliber handgun that had been reported stolen and that was fully loaded with 15 rounds near where BRIGHT was arrested.  

District Judge Zainey sentenced BRIGHT to the statutory maximum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by three (3) years of supervised release.  BRIGHT was also ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. 

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 New Orleans Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller. 

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NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that, earlier today, U.S. District Court Judge Greg G. Guidry sentenced New Orleans East resident DWIGHT ALEXANDER, age 50, to 136 months in prison, five (5) years of supervised release, and payment of $500 mandatory special assessment fees.  The judge had previously ordered the defendant to forfeit approximately $425,000 in proceeds from his illegal drug operation. 

According to the evidence introduced at his August 2019 trial, between 2012 and 2016, ALEXANDER sold a premium “cutting agent” used by drug dealers to expand and strengthen their heroin and cocaine.  ALEXANDER’s product was called “Bonita,” and evidence showed that ALEXANDER acquired hundreds of kilograms of various powders like mannitol, lidocaine, quinine, and acetaminophen, that he then mixed and sold as Bonita to the highest-level drug dealers in New Orleans.  During the timeframe of the conspiracy, ALEXANDER made frequent cash deposits from the proceeds of his sale of Bonita into various bank accounts.  In total, the government seized approximately $425,000, which will be forfeited as the proceeds of his unlawful drug operation.  ALEXANDER, who was a convicted felon, was arrested shortly after leaving his New Orleans East residence in October 2016.  Agents conducted a search warrant at his residence and recovered a loaded Taurus revolver, as well as over 100 kilograms of various cutting agents that ALEXANDER intended to mix, market, and distribute to drug dealers. 

At the conclusion of a five-day trial, the jury found ALEXANDER guilty of five counts: the lead charge of conspiring to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, two counts of distributing heroin, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of structuring cash deposits to avoid financial reporting requirements.

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 Drug Enforcement Administration, which led this investigation and was assisted by the Kenner Police Department, Customs and Border Protection Agency, New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police, and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon Long, Theodore Carter, and Alexandra Giavotella are in charge of the prosecution.   

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NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS (“GIBBINS”), age 44, of Montz, Louisiana, was sentenced today for Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

According to documents filed in federal court, the case against IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS (“GIBBINS”) began after the State of Louisiana complied with a request from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) to provide the SSA with death data of approximately 1.6 million Social Security number holders who had died in Louisiana from January 1, 1979, through December 31, 2019. As part of that data, the State of Louisiana disclosed that D.C., a participant in the SSA’s Retirement Survivor Insurance program (“RSI Program”), died on or about August 16, 2012.

Unaware of D.C.’s death, the SSA erroneously released approximately $202,417.00 in RSI Program funds from August 2012 through December 2020, via automatic wire transfers (i.e., direct deposit) to D.C.’s jointly held Capital One Bank (“Capital One”) account. GIBBINS, D.C.’s daughter, was a joint account holder of the Capital One account. D.C.’s RSI Program benefits were not transferrable to GIBBINS. Following the automatic deposit of RSI Program benefits, GIBBINS accessed the funds and wrongfully converted the funds to her own personal use, depleting nearly all account funds. The funds were used on purchase transactions or transfers out of the account to pay bills, for example, such as for mortgage payments and vehicle loan payments. GIBBINS never advised the SSA of D.C.’s death.

The SSA determined that GIBBINS fraudulently obtained $200,396.00 in SSA disability benefits from her father’s Capital One Bank account.

United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey sentenced GIBBINS to five (5) years probation, 100 hours of community service, full restitution to the Social Security Administration, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General 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 and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige O’Hale.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MARTIN CORTEZ-BALDERAS (“CORTEZ”), age 39, a citizen of Mexico, was charged on November 12, 2021 in a two-count indictment for Identity Theft and Violations of the Federal Gun Control Act.

According to the indictment, in Count 1, on or about April 3, 2018, CORTEZ, knowingly possessed and used in or affecting interstate commerce, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person, that is, the name and date of birth of another, with the intent to commit an unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of state law, Forgery, to renew a Louisiana state identification card, in violation of Louisiana Revised Statute 14:72. In Count 2, CORTEZ was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, to wit: a felony marijuana conviction.

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

If convicted of these charges, CORTEZ faces up to a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition count. He also faces up to three years on the identity theft count.  Also, CORTEZ faces a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, as to both counts. 

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

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SIERRA HUDSON, age 34, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged on November 12, 2021 in a one count indictment for delay or destruction of mail.

According to court documents, HUDSON was employed by the United States Postal Service as a Letter Carrier and was assigned to work at the Central Carrier Station, New Orleans, LA. The indictment alleges that from on or about May 2020 through July 2020, HUDSON secreted, destroyed, detained, and delayed approximately 640 First Class postcards and 573 pieces of political mail that were recovered from a residential trash can. According to court documents, HUDSON also unlawfully secreted, detained, and delayed approximately two First Class letters, 535 advertising flyers, and 20 nonprofit small parcels in the trunk of her personal vehicle.

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. 

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of up to five (5) years imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachal Cassagne is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that CATHERINE CAMPBELL WILLIAMS, age 68, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was indicted on November 12, 2021 for Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

According to the Indictment, beginning in December 2010 and continuing through 2020, WILLIAMS collected Social Security Administration benefits paid to a deceased relative.  It is alleged that in total, WILLIAMS fraudulently received approximately $61,324 in Social Security Administration benefits to which she was not entitled.

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.

If convicted, WILLIAMS faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NELSON RAYMOND, age 28, a resident of New Orleans, was charged on November 12, 2021 in a one count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon, announced U. S. Attorney Duane Evans.

If convicted, RAYMOND faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to ten (10) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to  three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.     

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

The case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Mike Trummel.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JONATHAN orPilla SINLAO, age 36, a resident of San Jose, California, was charged on November 12, 2021 in an eight-count indictment arising out of a scheme to make numerous unauthorized credit card purchases at Home Depot stores. 

The indictment charges SINLAO with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1029(a)(5) and 1029(b)(2).  If convicted of this count, SINLAO faces a maximum term of seven-and-a-half (7.5) years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000.00 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss caused by the offense.  SINLAO was also charged with seven counts of Access Device Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(5).  If convicted, SINLAO faces, as to each of these seven counts, a maximum term of fifteen (15) years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000.00 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss caused by the offense.  In addition, SINLAO faces a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years per count after his release from prison.  A mandatory special assessment fee of $100 per count is also applicable. 

According to Court documents, SINLAO conspired with others to conduct over $300,000 in unauthorized purchases of gift cards and products at Home Depot stores using customers’ Citibank credit card numbers.  These transactions occurred between at least February of 2019 and July of 2019 at Home Depot stores in Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, New York, and Oklahoma.

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, the Oklahoma City Police Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni.