Eastern District of Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that JOSEPH REED, age 35, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was indicted on November 12, 2021 for Bank Robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a).

According to the indictment, on or about October 9, 2021, REED attempted to rob the Chase Bank located on North Broad Street in New Orleans, Louisiana.

If convicted, REED faces up to a maximum of twenty (20) years in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

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.  

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

 

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WASHINGTON – The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans (“Archdiocese of New Orleans”) has agreed to pay more than $1 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims for payment to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the repair or replacement of certain facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The settlement, which is based on the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ financial condition, required final approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which approved the settlement on Oct. 26. 

“FEMA offers critical financial support when natural disasters strike,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that these taxpayer funds are properly spent to help disaster victims rebuild their communities.”  

The settlement resolves allegations that, from 2007 through 2013, the Archdiocese of New Orleans knowingly signed certifications for FEMA funding that contained false or fraudulent damage descriptions and repair estimates that were prepared by AECOM, an architecture and engineering firm based in Los Angeles. Among other things, the alleged false descriptions included purported damage to a nonexistent central air conditioning unit and misstated a facility’s square footage. 

“Federal disaster funds are an instrumental component in the effort to assist disaster victims with their recovery,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “The favorable resolution of this False Claims Act matter illustrates the collaborative efforts and firm commitment by our federal partners to use all available remedies to address signs of fraud, waste and abuse.”

“Funds fraudulently obtained from FEMA deprive deserving recipients and communities truly in need,” said Inspector General Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari for Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG). “We appreciate the support of our law enforcement partners, and this outcome is another example of the continuing successful partnership between the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, the Department of Justice’s Civil Litigation Branch in Washington, DC and the Eastern District of Louisiana’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

The settlement resolved allegations originally filed in a lawsuit brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Robert Romero, an AECOM Project Specialist. The False Claims Act permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and to share in any recovery. The False Claims Act also permits the United States to intervene in such an action, as it did in this case, in part, against AECOM, the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and other disaster relief applicants in June 2020. One of those applicants, Xavier University of Louisiana, previously agreed to pay the United States $12 million to resolve its alleged role in the submission of false and misleading repair estimates prepared on its behalf by AECOM. The lawsuit against AECOM and another disaster relief applicant remains ongoing. As part of its settlement, the Archdiocese of New Orleans agreed to cooperate in the litigation.       

The whistleblower lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Robert Romero v. AECOM, Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-15092 (E.D. La.). As part of the settlement with the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Mr. Romero received approximately $199,500. 

The False Claims Act lawsuit is being handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, with assistance from FEMA’s Office of Chief Counsel. Investigative support is being provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, through its Major Fraud and Corruption Unit and New Orleans Resident Office. 

The claims alleged in the lawsuit, including those resolved by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

 

 

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The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans (Archdiocese of New Orleans) has agreed to pay more than $1 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims for payment to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the repair or replacement of certain facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The settlement, which is based on the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ financial condition, required final approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which approved the settlement on Oct. 26. 

“FEMA offers critical financial support when natural disasters strike,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that these taxpayer funds are properly spent to help disaster victims rebuild their communities.”  

The settlement resolves allegations that, from 2007 through 2013, the Archdiocese of New Orleans knowingly signed certifications for FEMA funding that contained false or fraudulent damage descriptions and repair estimates that were prepared by AECOM, an architecture and engineering firm based in Los Angeles. Among other things, the alleged false descriptions included purported damage to a nonexistent central air conditioning unit and misstated a facility’s square footage. 

“Federal disaster funds are an instrumental component in the effort to assist disaster victims with their recovery,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “The favorable resolution of this False Claims Act matter illustrates the collaborative efforts and firm commitment by our federal partners to use all available remedies to address signs of fraud, waste and abuse.”

“Funds fraudulently obtained from FEMA deprive deserving recipients and communities truly in need,” said Inspector General Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari for Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG). “We appreciate the support of our law enforcement partners, and this outcome is another example of the continuing successful partnership between the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, the Department of Justice’s Civil Litigation Branch in Washington, DC and the Eastern District of Louisiana’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

The settlement resolved allegations originally filed in a lawsuit brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Robert Romero, an AECOM Project Specialist. The False Claims Act permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and to share in any recovery. The False Claims Act also permits the United States to intervene in such an action, as it did in this case, in part, against AECOM, the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and other disaster relief applicants in June 2020. One of those applicants, Xavier University of Louisiana, previously agreed to pay the United States $12 million to resolve its alleged role in the submission of false and misleading repair estimates prepared on its behalf by AECOM. The lawsuit against AECOM and another disaster relief applicant remains ongoing. As part of its settlement, the Archdiocese of New Orleans agreed to cooperate in the litigation.       

The whistleblower lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Robert Romero v. AECOM, Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-15092 (E.D. La.). As part of the settlement with the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Mr. Romero received approximately $199,500. 

The False Claims Act lawsuit is being handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, with assistance from FEMA’s Office of Chief Counsel. Investigative support is being provided by DHS OIG, through its Major Fraud and Corruption Unit and New Orleans Resident Office. 

The claims alleged in the lawsuit, including those resolved by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that COREY THOMAS, age 49, from New Orleans, was indicted on October 7, 2021 for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements to a federal agent, all stemming from alleged fraudulent charges made in someone else’s name at local stores.  To protect the integrity of the investigation, the indictment remained sealed until now.

The grand jury returned a five-count indictment. The indictment charged THOMAS with one count of wire fraud, involving conduct in January of 2019. According to the indictment, THOMAS used a victim’s personal identifying information in an effort to make fraudulent charges at Best Buy and several Lowe’s Home Improvement locations. It is alleged, that THOMAS attempted the purchases on behalf of other actual customers, offering to charge the goods on a store credit card in exchange for a cash payment that was less than the purchase price. THOMAS is also charged with three counts of aggravated identity theft, corresponding to three fraudulent charges at Lowe’s locations in New Orleans and Slidell. THOMAS is also charged with one count of lying to federal agents, by denying that he was present at Lowe’s during a successful fraudulent charge and falsely stating that he did not know the customer who received the fraudulently obtained goods in that transaction.

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.

If convicted of the wire fraud charge, THOMAS faces up to twenty years in prison. THOMAS faces a consecutive sentence of two years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft. For the false statement, THOMAS faces up to five years in prison. Following any term of imprisonment, THOMAS faces up to three years of supervised release for the wire fraud and false statement counts, and up to one year of supervised release for each aggravated identity theft count. For all five counts, THOMAS faces a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain to THOMAS or the gross loss to any victims, as well as a mandatory $100 special assessment fee per count.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses is in charge of the prosecution.

 

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on November 9, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Wendy B. Vitter sentenced former Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) captain KEVIN STIMAGE to twelve (12) months and one day imprisonment, one (1) year of supervised release, and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. STIMAGE had pled guilty to Theft from Programs Receiving Federal Funds.

According to court documents, in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, STIMAGE reported having worked, on average, 40 hours per week at the TPSO, approximately 40 hours per week at an off-duty work detail at a motor vehicle dealership, and, beginning in 2018, approximately 30 hours per week at an off-duty work detail at an apartment complex, for a total of approximately 110 hours per week.  However, STIMAGE only worked a portion of the claimed hours, thereby defrauding the TPSO, the vehicle dealership, and the apartment complex out of a total of $241,086, which Judge Vitter ordered STIMAGE to repay as the restitution portion of his sentence.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans stated, “We want to assure the public that with the continued assistance from our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, this Office will identify and prosecute any individual who commits an act of public corruption,”

"Public corruption occurs when a public official conducts an official act in exchange for money, goods or services. It also includes public officials who fraudulently or illegally take something of value for their own personal gain. Today’s sentencing demonstrates that law enforcement officers like Kevin Stimage will be held responsible and that no one is above the law,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. "We thank our partners at the United States Attorney's Office Eastern District of Louisiana for their strong partnership and pursuit of justice."

U. S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Myles Ranier and Chandra Menon prosecuted the case.

 

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Wendy B. Vitter sentenced JOSEPH BROWN, age 46, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, on November 9, 2021 to 33 months of imprisonment, three (3) years of supervised release, and $200 in mandatory special assessment fees for conspiring to distribute cocaine and crack in New Orleans East, in violation  of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), and 846, and using a communication facility to distribute illegal narcotics, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b).  BROWN plead guilty on August 10, 2021.

According to court records, BROWN and four others, Lionel Cooley, Kendrick Demourelle, Kevin Gray, and Blake Monroe, conspired to sell illegal narcotics in New Orleans, including using a broken-down yellow school bus in the ‘Goose’ neighborhood in New Orleans East as a stash house. All five were indicted in February 2020. A seized GMC Sierra pickup truck used by Lionel Cooley contained nearly two kilograms of cocaine and 430 grams of crack.

All five defendants in this case have plead guilty. 

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

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

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – The Honorable Sarah S. Vance sentenced ROY LEE SR., age 58, of New Orleans, Louisiana, to 96 months in the Bureau of Prisons for violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the court records, LEE SR. conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin. 

United States District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced LEE SR. to 96 months custody in the Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by five (5) years of supervised release.  LEE SR. was also ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane Evans announced today that JUAN CARLOS SANCHEZ-ZAPATERO (“SANCHEZ-ZAPATERO”), age 36, was sentenced on November 4, 2021 to seven months in prison on 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, SANCHEZ-ZAPATERO reentered the United States after he was previously deported on July 17, 2013.  SANCHEZ-ZAPATERO faced a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. 

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter.  Assistant U. S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that a federal grand jury returned a 14-count Superseding Indictment on October 28, 2021 against AL VERNON BROWN, (BROWN), age 48, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, age 37, KEVIN JOHNSON, age 30, DONALD MYLES (MYLES), age 43, ERNEST GREEN (GREEN), age 53, JOHN CRAWFORD (CRAWFORD), age 38, and SUSAN BREAUX (BREAUX), age 46. To protect the integrity of the investigation, the Superseding Indictment remained sealed until now.

The Superseding Indictment charged the defendants with the following Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts:

Count 1:    Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] (fentanyl), 1 kilogram or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), and 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).

Statutory Penalties: mandatory minimum of ten (10) years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, at least five (5) years supervised release (fentanyl and heroin), and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee; mandatory minimum of five (5) years up to a maximum of forty (40) years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, at least four (4) years supervised release (heroin), and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendants: BROWN, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, KEVIN JOHNSON, BREAUX, MYLES, GREEN, and CRAWFORD

Count 2:    Possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] (fentanyl) and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), 841(b)(1)(B), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.

Statutory Penalties: mandatory minimum of (ten) 10 years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, at least five (5) years supervised release (fentanyl and heroin); mandatory minimum of five (5) years up to a maximum of forty (40) years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, at least four (4) years supervised release (heroin), and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendants: BROWN, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

 

Count 3:    Convicted felon in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

Statutory Penalties: up to ten (10) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three (3) years supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendant: CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

  

Count 4:    Possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i)

Statutory Penalties: mandatory minimum of five (5) years up to a maximum of life to run consecutively, not more than $250,000 fine, up to three (5) years supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendant: CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

 

Count 5:    Use of a communication facility, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.

Statutory Penalties: up to four (4) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to one (1) year supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendants: CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, MYLES 

 

Count 6:    Use of a communication facility, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2

Statutory Penalties: up to four (4) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to one (1) year supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendants: KEVIN JOHNSON, MYLES

 

Count 7:    Use of a communication facility, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2           

Statutory Penalties: up to four (4) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to one (1) year supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendants: CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, BROWN

 

Count 8:    Possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2          

Statutory Penalties: mandatory minimum of five (5) years up to a maximum of forty (40) years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, at least four (4) years supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendants: BREAUX, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, KEVIN JOHNSON, and BROWN

 

Count 9:    Possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).

Statutory Penalties: up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, at least three (3) years supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendant: BREAUX

 

Count 10:  Possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.

Statutory Penalties: up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, at least three (3) years supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendants: CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, KEVIN JOHNSON

 

Count 11:  Possession with intent to distribute 50 kilograms of marijuana or less, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D).

Statutory Penalties: up to five (5) years, up to a $250,000 fine and at least two (2) years supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendant: KEVIN JOHNSON

 

Count 12:  Possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.

Statutory Penalties: up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, at least three (3) years supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendant: GREEN

 

Count 13:  Possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i)

Statutory Penalties: a mandatory minimum of five (5) years up to a maximum of life to run consecutively, not more than $250,000 fine, up to five (5) years supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.                      

Defendant: GREEN

 

Count 14:  Convicted felon in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2)

Statutory Penalties: up to ten (10) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three (3) years supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Defendant: GREEN

In September 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Gang Task Force (“the Task Force”) initiated an investigation after receiving information about an increase in violent crimes around the 2600 block of Felicity Street and the 1600 block of Magnolia Street in New Orleans, Louisiana where a local car wash and an adjoining barbershop are located. During the investigation, the Task Force learned MYLES and CRAWFORD sold heroin and fentanyl while GREEN sold cocaine at the aforementioned locations. They also learned BROWN, a California resident, supplied heroin and fentanyl to CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON and KEVIN JOHNSON. KEVIN and CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON supplied heroin and fentanyl to MYLES. BREAUX bought heroin from KEVIN and CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON. So far, the Task Force has confiscated over 1.6 kilograms of heroin, 935.9 grams of fentanyl, multiple firearms, and $112,000 cash.

United States Attorney Evans reiterated that a Superseding Indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of each defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Gang Task Force, with the assistance of the New Orleans Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, led the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bayonle Osundare is in charge of the prosecution. 

 

 

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on November 4, 2021, JERMAINE COOPER, age 29, of New Orleans, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon after previously pleading guilty to drug and firearms offenses. 

Specifically, COOPER previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

According to court records, COOPER and others conspired to distribute heroin in the New Orleans metropolitan area and elsewhere.  Additionally, COOPER possessed four firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes, including a Smith and Wesson nine-millimeter pistol, a Glock Model 27 nine-millimeter pistol, an HK nine-millimeter pistol, and a Glock Model 19X nine-millimeter firearm.    

Judge Lemmon sentenced COOPER to a term of imprisonment of 126 months, 5 years of supervised release 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 praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Police Department and Kenner Police Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.

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WASHINGTON - A Louisiana man who owns construction and building inspection businesses, along with his brother and sister who were employed by the construction businesses, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to defraud the IRS.

According to court documents, from 2011 through at least June 2019, Randy A. Farrell Sr., of Jefferson Parish, along with his brother, David Farrell, also of Jefferson Parish, and sister, Dawn Farrell Ruiz, of St. Tammany Parish, conspired to conceal income from the IRS and prevent employment taxes from being deducted from their own and others’ wages. Randy Farrell also conspired with Matthew Reck, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the IRS on July 7.

According to court documents, Randy Farrell and Reck co-owned and operated two commercial construction companies, SES Construction Consulting Group (SES) and Global Technical Solutions (GTS) through 2015, when Reck sold his interest in the companies to Randy Farrell. Court documents show that Randy Farrell and Reck took funds from SES and GTS without reporting the profits on their tax returns, and they worked with an accountant to conceal these efforts on the companies’ internal books and records. Randy Farrell and Reck also ensured certain SES and GTS employees, including David Farrell and Dawn Farrell Ruiz, were paid outside of the normal payroll process so employment taxes would not be withheld from their paychecks.

Since 2007, Randy Farrell has also co-owned a building inspection business, IECI & Associates LLC (IECI). To help conceal the income he received from IECI, Randy Farrell directed IECI to issue checks payable to nominees in amounts under $10,000 and then cashed the checks, keeping the  funds for himself. Randy Farrell also used IECI corporate funds for gambling, and then he concealed his actions by directing these expenditures to be falsely entered into IECI’s corporate records as “materials” expenses or “contract labor” payments. After the IRS executed a search warrant at his business offices and home in September 2017, Randy Farrell filed tax returns that falsely underreported the taxable income he earned from his businesses.

Randy Farrell, David Farrell and Ruiz are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. Each faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Reck is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 12, 2022, and also faces a maximum of five years in prison. All defendants face 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.

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 Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses of the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JUAN CAZES, age 46, and CRANDALL WASHINGTON, age 42, both residents of St. James Parish, Louisiana, were charged November 4, 2021, in a two-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to Count 1 and Count 2 of the indictment, on October 28, 2021, CAZES and WASHINGTON conspired and possessed with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

If convicted of Count 1, both CAZES and WASHINGTON face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. If convicted of Count 2, both CAZES and WASHINGTON face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  For both counts of the indictment, both CAZES and WASHINGTON face payment of 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 defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and St. James Parish Sherriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Usher.

A Louisiana man who owns construction and building inspection businesses, along with his brother and sister who were employed by the construction businesses, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to defraud the IRS.

According to court documents, from 2011 through at least June 2019, Randy A. Farrell Sr., of Jefferson Parish, along with his brother, David Farrell, also of Jefferson Parish, and sister, Dawn Farrell Ruiz, of St. Tammany Parish, conspired to conceal income from the IRS and prevent employment taxes from being deducted from their own and others’ wages. Randy Farrell also conspired with Matthew Reck, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the IRS on July 7.

According to court documents, Randy Farrell and Reck co-owned and operated two commercial construction companies, SES Construction Consulting Group (SES) and Global Technical Solutions (GTS) through 2015, when Reck sold his interest in the companies to Randy Farrell. Court documents show that Randy Farrell and Reck took funds from SES and GTS without reporting the profits on their tax returns, and they worked with an accountant to conceal these efforts on the companies’ internal books and records. Randy Farrell and Reck also ensured certain SES and GTS employees, including David Farrell and Dawn Farrell Ruiz, were paid outside of the normal payroll process so employment taxes would not be withheld from their paychecks.

Since 2007, Randy Farrell has also co-owned a building inspection business, IECI & Associates LLC (IECI). To help conceal the income he received from IECI, Randy Farrell directed IECI to issue checks payable to nominees in amounts under $10,000 and then cashed the checks, keeping the  funds for himself. Randy Farrell also used IECI corporate funds for gambling, and then he concealed his actions by directing these expenditures to be falsely entered into IECI’s corporate records as “materials” expenses or “contract labor” payments. After the IRS executed a search warrant at his business offices and home in September 2017, Randy Farrell filed tax returns that falsely underreported the taxable income he earned from his businesses.

Randy Farrell, David Farrell and Ruiz are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. Each faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Reck is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 12, 2022, and also faces a maximum of five years in prison. All defendants face 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.

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 Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses of the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that defendant DWIGHT ANDERSON, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on November 4, 2021 by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to 90 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and a $200 special assessment on Counts Two and Three of a three-count indictment. 

Both Counts Two and Three of the indictment charged ANDERSON with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and Title18, United States Code, Section 924(a)(2). As to Count Two, on June 2, 2020, investigators arrested ANDERSON and his co-defendant for being felons in possession of firearms.  Law enforcement attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by ANDERSON’s co-defendant.  ANDERSON was seated in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle refused to stop and fled into the parking lot of a Home Depot located near the intersection of S. Claiborne Ave. and Earhart Blvd in New Orleans, LA.  The vehicle proceeded into the gated parking lot, continuing to ignore the police vehicles, and attempted to evade law enforcement.  The parking lot has a gate surrounding it and other access points were blocked at the time the vehicle was attempting to evade authorities.  Following these discoveries, the occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot.  Two individuals, including ANDERSON, exited the passenger side of the vehicle, one from the front passenger side and one from the rear passenger side.  Once the scene was secure, investigators observed several firearms within the immediate area of the vehicle.  Investigators observed one rifle outside the driver side of the vehicle and two hands guns outside the passenger side of the vehicle.  Additionally, investigators observed ski masks and a pair of gloves on the front passenger floorboard of the vehicle.  ANDERSON was located by investigators hiding underneath a house in the 1300 block of Clara Street.  He was in possession of a bag which contained another ski mask.  As to Count Three, on June 12, 2020, ANDERSON was arrested pursuant to a federal arrest warrant.  When investigators apprehended ANDERSON, they observed a firearm protruding from his back pants pocket.

This case was 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 Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that defendant DWIGHT ANDERSON, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on November 4, 2021 by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to 90 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and a $200 special assessment on Counts Two and Three of a three-count indictment. 

Both Counts Two and Three of the indictment charged ANDERSON with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and Title18, United States Code, Section 924(a)(2). As to Count Two, on June 2, 2020, investigators arrested ANDERSON and his co-defendant for being felons in possession of firearms.  Law enforcement attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by ANDERSON’s co-defendant.  ANDERSON was seated in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle refused to stop and fled into the parking lot of a Home Depot located near the intersection of S. Claiborne Ave. and Earhart Blvd in New Orleans, LA.  The vehicle proceeded into the gated parking lot, continuing to ignore the police vehicles, and attempted to evade law enforcement.  The parking lot has a gate surrounding it and other access points were blocked at the time the vehicle was attempting to evade authorities.  Following these discoveries, the occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot.  Two individuals, including ANDERSON, exited the passenger side of the vehicle, one from the front passenger side and one from the rear passenger side.  Once the scene was secure, investigators observed several firearms within the immediate area of the vehicle.  Investigators observed one rifle outside the driver side of the vehicle and two hands guns outside the passenger side of the vehicle.  Additionally, investigators observed ski masks and a pair of gloves on the front passenger floorboard of the vehicle.  ANDERSON was located by investigators hiding underneath a house in the 1300 block of Clara Street.  He was in possession of a bag which contained another ski mask.  As to Count Three, on June 12, 2020, ANDERSON was arrested pursuant to a federal arrest warrant.  When investigators apprehended ANDERSON, they observed a firearm protruding from his back pants pocket.

This case was 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 Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

 

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that CURTIS EMILIEN, age 26, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on November 4, 2021 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). EMILIEN 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.

According to court records, EMILIEN and another individual were in a conflict which escalated to the use of firearms. Officers responded to a report of gunshots on August 25, 2019 in the Lafitte Housing Development and found multiple spent shell casings. EMILIEN is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his criminal history.

The Honorable U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan will sentence EMILIEN for his current offense on Tuesday, February 8. 2022

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

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Charles D. Strauss is in charge of the prosecution.

 

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ACDANE CAMPBELL, age 25, a resident of Jamaica, pleaded guilty today to a one-count Indictment for Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan.

According to the Indictment, from in or around August 2016, CAMPBELL and others conspired to operate a scheme to obtain money unlawfully by falsely informing elderly victims that they had won a lottery, sweepstakes, or car. The unidentified co-conspirators called the victims and promised that the victims would receive their winnings if they first paid taxes and fees.

After being instructed by the unidentified co-conspirators that they needed to send payments to CAMPBELL, the victims would send their payments electronically through a money services business or in the mail via FedEx or the United States Postal Service. Working as what is known as a “money mule,” CAMPBELL either kept the money that he received from the victims or sent it to unknown persons in Jamaica.

Sentencing is set for February 10 , 2022, before Judge Morgan. CAMPBELL faces up to a maximum of 5 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000 or twice the gross gain or twice to gross loss to any victim, up to a maximum of 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).  This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps.  Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis.  Reporting is the first step.  Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses.  The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. eastern time. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera.

 

 

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that RONNIE BARTHOLOMEW, age 64 and a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced to probation, 50 hours of community service and payment of a $10 mandatory special assessment fee by United States District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon for obstruction of mail, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1701.

According to court documents, BARTHOLOMEW, while employed by the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier at the Central Carrier Station in New Orleans, opened a birthday card he was carrying and removed five marked twenty-dollar bills. BARTHOLOMEW had pled guilty on June 10, 2021, to a one-count bill of information.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant United States Attorney David Howard Sinkman is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CHRISTOPHER HARRIS, age 27,  a resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, pled guilty on November 4, 2021 before U.S. Chief District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to two counts of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine; both in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, on July 26, 2019, Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms used a confidential source to make a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from HARRIS.  The confidential source, under the direction of agents, went to 1100 block of Columbia Street to meet HARRIS to purchase the drugs.   The source was greeted at the door by Derrick Mark who made a telephone call to HARRIS to inform him that the source was at the residence to purchase the drugs from him.  When HARRIS arrived at the residence, he entered the source’s vehicle and sold the source approximately one hundred six (106) grams of drugs that tested positive for methamphetamine. 

HARRIS faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years up to a maximum term of imprisonment of forty (40) years, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, at least four (4) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee per count. 

This prosecution was part of an extensive investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Bogalusa Police Department of individuals suspected of trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and/or firearms in the Bogalusa area.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that KENDRICK DEMOURELLE, age 40, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, pled guilty on November 2, 2021 to conspiring to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine. DEMOURELLE is facing a mandatory minimum of ten years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five (5) years of supervised release upon his release from prison, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each drug offense, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846. 

According to court records, DEMOURELLE and four others, Joseph Brown, Lionel Cooley, Blake Monroe, and Kevin Gray, conspired to sell illegal narcotics in New Orleans. A portable safe being moved from DEMOURELLE’s stash house during a court-approved search contained nearly one kilogram of heroin. A repossessed GMC Sierra pickup truck used by Cooley contained nearly two kilograms of cocaine and 430 grams of crack. More than 400 grams of heroin, 125 grams of cocaine, a kilo press, and other drug paraphernalia were seized in Gray’s home in Chalmette, Louisiana, during a court-authorized search. 

The evidence against DEMOURELLE includes the seizure of more than $50,000 and firearms found in his Denali truck after he sold two kilograms of cocaine to Cooley. 

U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter will sentence DEMOURELLE on February 15, 2022. DEMOURELLE, Brown, Cooley, Gray, and Monroe were charged in February 2020 with conspiring to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin in the New Orleans area. All five had pled guilty to drug offenses.

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

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

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that on November 3, 2021 QUINCY E. IRVIN, age 43 of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to a one count Bill of Information for making false statements on an income tax return in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206.

In papers signed by the defendant and filed in open court, IRVIN admitted to owing two tax  preparation companies, Discount Tax Services and Quincy Irvin Tax Services. IRVIN admitted to failing to declare a total of $696,060 in income for the tax years 2012, 2013, and 2014. The total  tax loss to the government was $249,074 as a result of IRVIN’S false statements.

IRVIN was ordered to pay $249,074  in restitution and to serve one year supervised release after his prison term.  IRVIN must also pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division for their thorough investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice Jr.

 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DERRICK GROVES, age 24, of New Orleans, was sentenced on November 2, 2021 for federal firearms and narcotics violations.

According to court documents, on October 12, 2018, DERRICK GROVES possessed with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl; on January 25, 2019, GROVES possessed with intent to distribute heroin, all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).  DERRICK GROVES was also in possession of a firearm on those dates, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

U.S. District Judge Greg G. Guidry sentenced GROVES to serve 11 years and 9 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Judge Guidry also imposed $400 in mandatory special assessment fees.

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 investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni is in charge of the prosecution.

 

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MARTIN ALAMEDA-PINEDA, age 37, of Mexico, was sentenced on November 3, 2021 to 180 months in prison for transporting a large amount of methamphetamine into the Eastern District of Louisiana from Texas, while armed with a firearm. ALAMEDA-PINEDA was also sentenced to five (5) years of supervised release following imprisonment and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  Earlier this year ALAMEDA-PINEDA pled guilty as charged to a three-count indictment that was pending against him.  He was charged in Count 1 with possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)A);  Count 2 with possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c); and charged in Count 3 with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5)(A).   

According to the documents that were placed into the court record during his guilty plea, the defendant was arrested by St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Detectives after they conducted a lawful traffic stop of his vehicle and found 10 lbs. of methamphetamine in the back seat of his vehicle and a firearm in the center console. The detectives conducted the stop based on information obtained from Special Agents with the Department of Homeland Security, who had knowledge that the defendant would be transporting a significant amount of drugs to the Eastern District of Louisiana. 

U. S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in working together to investigate this matter. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr.

 

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JONATHAN JOHNSON, age 31, a resident of Thibodaux, Louisiana, pled guilty on November 3, 2021 before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to a one-count indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, on March 31, 2021, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputies executed a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by JOHNSON on Highway 1 in Thibodaux, Louisiana.  Deputies conducted a license check and learned that JOHNSON was driving with a suspended license.  After noticing JOHNSON’S nervous demeanor, the deputies requested the assistance of additional units.  When the other officers arrived and approached JOHNSON,  they observed JOHNSON open the driver’s side door of the vehicle and discard approximately three hundred (300) grams of methamphetamine onto the ground.  As a  result of his plea, JOHNSON faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, at least five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on October 28, 2021, DASHAWN LEWIS, age 43, of Gretna, was sentenced by United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon after previously pleading guilty to drug offenses. 

Specifically, LEWIS previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846. 

According to court records, LEWIS and others conspired to distribute heroin in the New Orleans metropolitan area and elsewhere. 

Judge Fallon sentenced LEWIS to a term of imprisonment of 60 months, 4 years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. 

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

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

 

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JASON BOYET, age 42, a resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, and a former trooper with the Louisiana State Police, was sentenced on November 3, 2021 to 210 months imprisonment by United States District Judge Sarah Vance.  BOYET previously pleaded guilty to a one-count Bill of Information charging him with distribution of images depicting the sexual exploitation of children, including children as young as three (3) years old, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 2252(a)(2).  As part of his sentence, BOYET will also be obligated to serve a period of five (5) years of supervised release after his term of imprisonment, register as a sex offender, and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  Judge Vance scheduled a restitution hearing for February 2, 2022.

According to court documents, in about February 2020, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation operating in an undercover capacity (Agent 1) in the State of Texas accessed a chat room within an instant messaging mobile application known to be a haven for purveyors of digital files depicting the sexual victimization of children.  Agent 1 was introduced to an individual, subsequently determined to be BOYET, who distributed to him sexually suggestive and sexually explicit photographs of minors, including a prepubescent female (Victim 1), over whom BOYET claimed to have custody and control. 

On February 12, 2020, special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a federal search warrant at BOYET’s residence.  Based on a voluntarily interview with BOYET and a review of digital evidence seized during the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement authorities confirmed that BOYET took sexually explicit images of Victim 1 at his residence using his Apple iPhone XR on at least three dates between December 19, 2019, and February 11, 2020, some of which he distributed to third parties as described above.  Agents also confirmed that BOYET accessed a link to an online file storage account containing numerous videos depicting the sexual victimization of children and, further, received at least 151 images and 195 videos depicting children as young as approximately one (1) year old engaging in sexually explicit conduct. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys= Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.

 

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced EDER QUINONES, age 36, a Colombian citizen who was living in Houston, Texas, on November 3, 2021 to 75 months in the Bureau of Prisons for violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the court records, QUINONES conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute a kilogram or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin.  QUINONES admitted to being the source of supply for a high-level drug trafficker who was moving kilogram quantities of heroin from Houston to New Orleans and serving as a high-level supplier for New Orleans.  QUINONES acknowledged being captured on recorded calls as part of a lengthy Title III wire intercept and being arrested by the FBI in possession of a kilogram he was attempting to deliver to a New Orleans dealer.  QUINONES admitted that he trafficked between 10 and 30 kilograms of heroin as part of the conspiracy.

United States District Judge Vance sentenced QUINONES to 75 months in the Bureau of Prisons to be followed by three years of supervised release.  QUINONES was also ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that BLAKE MONROE, age 31, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty on November 2, 2021  to being a felon in possession of a loaded AK-47 seized during a New Orleans Police Department traffic stop and to possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine that was hidden on his body during this stop and found by an Orleans Parish Sheriff deputy during MONROE’s booking at jail.

MONROE is facing a sentence of up to twenty years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least three years of supervised release upon leaving prison, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for the crack cocaine offense, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). MONROE is facing up to ten years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release upon leaving prison, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). MONROE has felony convictions for domestic abuse by strangulation and battery, among other criminal offenses.

According to court records, during a December 11, 2019 traffic stop, NOPD officers observed in plain sight a loaded AK-47, with the selector switch in the fire position, on the back floor of a white Mercedes driven by MONROE. NOPD officers had pulled MONROE over after two NOPD officers who had been conducting undercover surveillance on Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans East observed MONROE conduct a suspected hand-to-hand crack sale.

During his booking at jail that same afternoon, an Orleans Parish Sheriff Office deputy found approximately 24 grams of crack cocaine that MONROE had hidden on his body.  U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter will sentence MONROE on February 15, 2022.

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

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

 

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that IRVIN MAYFIELD, age 44, a resident of New Orleans, and RONALD MARKHAM, age 43, also a resident of New Orleans, were sentenced today for defrauding the New Orleans Public Library Foundation out of approximately $1,316,232. The Honorable Jay Zainey sentenced the defendants to eighteen (18) months imprisonment followed by three (3) years of supervised release.  MAYFIELD and MARKHAM were also sentenced to payment of restitution in the amount of $1,123,032 to the N.O, Public Library Foundation, payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee and 500 hours of community service.

According to court documents, MAYFIELD founded the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) in 2002. MAYFIELD also acted as Artistic Director and featured performer. MARKHAM was a long-time friend of MAYFIELD and served as NOJO’s President and Chief Executive Officer. MAYFIELD and MARKHAM both received salaries of $100,000 from NOJO as well as compensation for compositions and performances through Mayfield Publishing Company. Throughout its existence, NOJO relied on donations to fund its operations and pay its expenses. Between December 16, 2008, until May 31, 2010, NOJO relied on grants from the Edward Wisner Donation, a charitable trust administered by the City of New Orleans. In February 2011, support for NOJO through the Edward Wisner Donation was terminated by the City of New Orleans, causing great financial distress to NOJO and its ability to pay expenses.

In October 1990, the New Orleans Public Library Foundation (NOPLF) was established to receive donations generated through private fund-raising efforts; to oversee the prudent investment of said donations at an acceptable level of risk; and to authorize expenditures judiciously for the purpose of purchasing books, other information materials, and sponsoring New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) related programs. For these purposes, NOPLF maintained an investment account. Until approximately August 2011, the NOPLF used interest earned from its investment account to fund its mission at the direction of the board of directors. All board members were uncompensated volunteers.

In August 2006, MAYFIELD became a board member of NOPLF. He later became Chairman of the board in November 2010. During his time on the NOPLF board, MAYFIELD also maintained his position with NOJO. In December 2009, MARKHAM became a board member of NOPLF. He later became Chairman of the board in September 2013 upon MAYFIELD’s resignation as Chairman of NOPLF. During his time on the NOPLF board, MARKHAM also maintained his position with NOJO. Between August 23, 2011, and November 30, 2013, MAYFIELD and MARKHAM caused approximately $1,316,232 to be unlawfully transferred and paid directly from the NOPLF to NOJO and elsewhere.

Beginning in February 2011, and continuing until November 2017, the defendants committed mail and wire fraud by transferring $1,316,232 from the NOPLF investment account to NOJO and elsewhere without approval and while misleading the NOPLF and others with regard to the purpose of the transfers. The defendants sent materially false and misleading correspondence to NOPLF board members, investment account managers, and auditors regarding the purpose of the money transfers. They also prepared materially false and misleading records to make money transfers from NOPLF to NOJO appear legitimate when they were not. Examples of the unlawful money transfers include:

• The defendants used NOPLF money to support NOJO operating expenses and pay their NOJO salaries.
• The defendants caused tens of thousands of dollars to be transferred directly into the personal accounts of MAYFIELD and Mayfield Productions.
• The defendants used NOPLF money to pay for NOJO’s performance at Carnegie Hall and performance fees to MAYFIELD.
• The defendants used NOPLF money to pay for MAYFIELD’s stays at the Ritz Carlton and Park Central Hotel as well as the travel expenses of NOJO musicians for NOJO performances.
• MAYFIELD used NOPLF money to purchase a 24k gold-plated trumpet and spend money at Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrah’s Casino.

After receiving federal grand jury subpoenas in November 2013, MAYFIELD and MARKHAM gathered and fraudulently edited NOPLF board minutes by changing line items and dollar amounts with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence the investigation by the FBI. They also used the fraudulently altered board minutes to convince the NOPLF board that the transfers were authorized.

Finally, MARKHAM falsely informed NOPLF board members, employees of NOPLF and NOPLF legal counsel that NOJO did not use NOPLF money to pay the NOJO salaries of MAYFIELD and MARKHAM and that NOJO was not dependent on NOPLF funding.

"Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that individuals like Grammy Award winning musician Irvin Mayfield and his business partner Ronald Markham who steal from non-profit organizations will be held accountable. Mr. Mayfield and Mr. Markham were driven by their own personal greed, committing financial crimes to enrich themselves at the expense of the citizens of New Orleans who utilize resources offered by New Orleans Public Library,” said FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. "We thank our partners at United States Attorney's Office Eastern District of Louisiana, Metropolitan Crime Commission and the City of New Orleans Office of Inspector General for their strong partnership and unrelenting pursuit of justice." 

“The Office of Inspector General will continue to combine our resources with our federal partners to prevent fraud, waste and abuse. It is vital that we ensure the integrity of New Orleans City Government while we hold public officials accountable for their actions”.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys G. Dall Kammer, Theodore Carter, and Brandon Long are in charge of the prosecution.

 

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DERECK CELESTIN, JR., age 36, a resident of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, was charged September 30, 2021, in a sealed two-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with distribution of methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.  The indictment was unsealed on October 28, 2021.

According to Count 1 of the indictment, on July 13, 2021, CELESTIN distributed fifty grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.  Count 2 alleges that CELESTIN distributed fifty grams or more of methamphetamine on August 9, 2021.

CELESTIN had his initial court appearance on October 27, 2021, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna Phillips Currault of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The defendant was arraigned on October 29, 2021.

If convicted of Count 1, CELESTIN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to forty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. If convicted of Count 2, CELESTIN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  For each count of the indictment, CELESTIN faces payment of 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 and Terrebonne Parish Sherriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ben Myers.

 

 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JAMAR ARMSTRONG, age 37, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on October 28, 2021 before the Honorable Eldon E. Fallon to charges of violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the court records, ARMSTRONG conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin and more than 40 grams of fentanyl.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 4, 2021. ARMSTRONG faces a penalty of at least 5 years up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.

 

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – WAYNE BROWN, age 35, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on October 28, 2021 before the Honorable Eldon E. Fallon to charges of violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the court records, BROWN conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin and more than 40 grams of fentanyl.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 4, 2021. BROWN faces a penalty of at least 5 years up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ROT VAN NGUYEN (“NGUYEN”), age 59, of San Jose, California was sentenced on October 28, 2021 to thirty-three months in prison by Judge Barry Ashe for failing to register as a sex offender under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

According to court documents, NGUYEN was convicted in California in 2009 of a sex offense that required him to register as a sex offender for life. In addition to being sentenced to thirty-three (33) months in prison, NGUYEN was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Marshals Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – KENDALL GILMER, JR., age 41, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged October 28, 2021, in a three-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B), possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A), and being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the indictment, on October 18, 2021, GILMER possessed with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.  GILMER, having previously been convicted of a felony, also illegally possessed two firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes: a Rock Island Armory Model M1911 A1, .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, and a Smith & Wesson Model M&P M2.0, .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun.

If convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, GILMER faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to forty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000 and at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  For possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, GILMER faces a statutory minimum sentence of five years of imprisonment, to run consecutive with any other sentence, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to five years of supervised release.  If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, GILMER faces up to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years supervised release. For each of the three counts of the indictment, GILMER also faces payment of 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.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ben Myers.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – The Honorable Sarah S. Vance sentenced JEFFERY HOLMES, age 46, of New Orleans, Louisiana, to 30 months in the Bureau of Prisons for violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the court records, HOLMES conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin.  HOLMES admitted to being captured on recorded calls as part of a lengthy Title III wire intercept. 

United States District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced HOLMES to 30 months custody in the Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  HOLMES was also ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that defendant KIRK THOMPSON, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Lance M. Africk to possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

THOMPSON pled guilty to Count One, which charges him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).  THOMPSON also pled guilty to Count Two, which charges him with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, that is, possession with intent to distribute both fentanyl and cocaine, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section, 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

As to Count One, THOMPSON faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. As to Count Two, THOMPSON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  THOMPSON’S sentencing is scheduled for February 16, 2022.

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

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

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that REYNAUD KENDRELL VARISTE (“VARISTE”), age 32, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A) and possession with intent to distribute heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).

The Court set sentencing in this matter for February 3, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.  VARISTE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a maximum fine of up to $1,000,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release for drug trafficking and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  VARISTE further faces a minimum of five (5) years to be served consecutively and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, a supervised release term of up to five (5) years and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn M. McHugh is prosecuting the case. 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JOSHUA BOGEN, age 30, a resident of Houma, Louisiana, was charged October 28, 2021, in a four-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the commission of a drug trafficking offense in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A), felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), and assaulting a federal officer in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(b), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the indictment, on October 18, 2021, BOGEN possessed with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.  BOGEN, having previously been convicted of a felony, illegally possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.  He also used this firearm, a Glock Model 26 Gen 4, nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun, to forcibly assault a Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Officer.

If convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, BOGEN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  For brandishing a firearm during and in relation to the commission of a drug trafficking offense, BOGEN faces a statutory minimum sentence of seven years of imprisonment, to run consecutive with any other sentence, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release.  If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, BOGEN faces up to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years supervised release.  If convicted of assaulting a federal officer, BOGEN faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years supervised release. For each of the four counts of the indictment, BOGEN faces payment of 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.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ben Myers.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that HECTOR RODRIGUEZ-RODRIGUEZ, age 55, was charged in a one-count bill of information for 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.   

If convicted, HECTOR RODRIGUEZ-RODRIGUEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

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

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

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LEROI G. JACKSON, age 49, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan to a bill of information charging him with one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns, a violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(2).  

According to court records, JACKSON is the owner and operator of The Taxman Financial Services LLC (“Taxman”), a business that prepares federal and state tax returns for customers. Taxman has an office in New Orleans and in LaPlace. Through the course of this investigation, federal agents determined that JACKSON filed false income tax returns for numerous Taxman customers. For example, JACKSON would create false business losses or false education credits, all without his clients’ knowledge. JACKSON had several employees obtain an IRS Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN), which allowed the employees to file customer taxes. However, many of these employees never used their EFINs. JACKSON would then use his employees’ EFINs to file false tax returns for customers. JACKSON profited by charging at least $500 per return, which would be deducted from a customer’s refund. From tax years 2014 through 2016, JACKSON admitted that he caused a tax loss to the United States of $241,214.00. JACKSON charged each taxpayer

JACKSON faces a maximum sentence of three years of imprisonment, a $100,000.00 fine, up to one (1) year of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Further, as part of his plea agreement, JACKSON agreed to a permanent injunction against preparing tax returns for other taxpayers. Judge Morgan scheduled the sentencing hearing for Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 2 pm.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, which handled this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew R. Payne is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that KEVIN COFFIL, age 25, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on October 26, 2021 to 42 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan for conspiring to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846.  The Court imposed a term of supervised release of 36 months. COFFIL must also pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to court records, COFFIL conspired with codefendant Arthur Johnson, his uncle, and six others to distribute heroin throughout the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas.

A search warrant executed on Arthur Johnson’s residence in New Orleans East on December 28, 2017, resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.3 kilograms of heroin, a kilo press which is used to package heroin, digital scales, and other tools of the drug trade.

That evening, agents established surveillance in the vicinity of the 7500 block of Vanderkloot Avenue in New Orleans. Agents observed a blue Jeep Wrangler park in the driveway of an address in the area. COFFIL exited the car and began walking around the back carrying a Lululemon bag. Agents approached the car and detained COFFIL. Agents advised COFFIL of his rights. Agents searched the bag and saw that it contained over $113,000 in US currency. COFFILL, Arthur Johnson, and the other codefendants were charged in 2018 with conspiring to distribute heroin in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas.

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.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that LIONEL COOLEY, age 45, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, pled guilty to conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack and to providing an AK-47 firearm to codefendant Blake Monroe that was used to facilitate crack sales.

COOLEY is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of five (5) years up to forty (40) years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, at least four (4) years of supervised release upon his release from prison, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for the drug distribution offense, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846. COOLEY also faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release from prison, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for the firearm offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o).

According to court records, COOLEY and four others, Joseph Brown, Kendrick Demourelle, Kevin Gray, and Blake Monroe, conspired to sell illegal narcotics in New Orleans, including using a broken-down yellow school bus in the ‘Goose’ neighborhood in New Orleans East as a stash house. All five were indicted in February 2020, and, according to court records, a seized GMC Sierra pickup truck used by a member of this conspiracy contained nearly two kilograms of cocaine and 430 grams of crack.

During a December 11, 2019 traffic stop, New Orleans Police Department Officers also observed in plain sight a loaded AK-47, with the selector switch in the fire position, on the back floor of a white Mercedes driven by Blake Monroe. COOLEY had given Monroe this AK-47 so Monroe could sell crack cocaine.

U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter will sentence COOLEY on February 1, 2022 at 2pm. COOLEY, Brown, Demourelle, Gray, and Monroe were charged in February 2020 with conspiring to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin in the New Orleans area.

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

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

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that STEVE C. MERGEY (“MERGEY”), age 52, of Houma, Louisiana, pled guilty today to Production of Child Pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a) and (e). 

According to documents filed in federal court, the case against MERGEY developed as a result of a complaint to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“HSI”) Tip Line. On June 4, 2020, HSI Agents executed a federal search warrant at MERGEY’S residence located on W. Main Street, Houma, LA. HSI’s investigation revealed that MERGEY groomed and coerced young male victims, as young as ten years old, in Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan to create and send sexually explicit images of themselves to MERGEY.

MERGEY faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen (15) years and a maximum sentence of thirty (30) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of $250,000.00, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person of the offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.  Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for January 25, 2021, before United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, Houma RAC and Pittsburg Office; Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office; Houma Police Department; Louisiana State Police, Criminal Investigative Division; and Oswego County Sheriff’s Office, NY 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, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SHANNEL SMITH, age 41, of Orleans Parish, Louisiana, pled guilty to issuing money orders without receiving full payment in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 500.

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

SMITH faces up to five (5) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, up to a $250,000.00 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee based on the charge outlined in the bill of information. United States District Judge Africk set sentencing for February 16, 2022 at 2pm.

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

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that KEVIN GRAY, age 49, a resident of Chalmette, Louisiana, pled guilty to conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846. GRAY is facing a sentence of up to forty (40) years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, at least four years of supervised release upon his release from prison, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. 

According to court records, GRAY and four others, Joseph Brown, Lionel Cooley, Kendrick Demourelle, and Blake Monroe, conspired to sell illegal narcotics in New Orleans. Law enforcement officers seized more than 400 grams of heroin, more than 120 grams of cocaine, and a pill press inside GRAY’s home during a court authorized search.

U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter will sentence GRAY on February 1, 2022 at 1:30pm. GRAY, Brown, Cooley, Demourelle, and Monroe were charged in February 2020 with conspiring to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin in the New Orleans area.

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

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

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TREVION HARRIS, a/k/a “Trigga,” age 24, a resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to 120 months imprisonment, 60 months of supervised release and payment of a $600 mandatory special assessment fee after pleading guilty to six counts of an twelve-count indictment charging him and two of his brothers with several narcotics offenses, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.  HARRIS also pled to three (3) counts of distribution of a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, one (1) count of distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and one (1) count of distribution of a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”).

According to court documents, Special Agents with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms identified TREVION HARRIS as a methamphetamine trafficker in Bogalusa, Louisiana.  Using a confidential source, beginning in November of 2018 through May 1, 2019, agents made controlled purchases of methamphetamine from TREVION, Jonzarrion and Demarquiez HARRIS in amounts ranging from two (2) grams to as many as eight (8) ounces.

For the conspiracy charge, TREVION HARRIS faced a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years up to a maximum term 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.  The four counts of distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine and crack carry the same penalty of a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three (3) years supervised release.  The distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carries the following penalty of a mandatory minimum term of five (5) years imprisonment up to a maximum term of forty (40) years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years supervised release.  HARRIS must pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each count of conviction.

This prosecution was part of an extensive investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Bogalusa Police Department of individuals suspected of trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and/or firearms in the Bogalusa area.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JONZARRION HARRIS, a/k/a “GEE,” age 21, a resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to 120 months’ imprisonment, 5 years of supervised release and a mandatory $500 special assessment fee after pleading guilty to five counts of an twelve-count indictment charging him and two of his brothers with several narcotics offenses, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, Special Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms identified Trevion HARRIS as a methamphetamine trafficker in Bogalusa, Louisiana.  Using a confidential source, beginning in November of 2018 and continuing through May 1, 2019, agents made controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Trevion, JONZARRION and Demarquiez HARRIS in amounts ranging from two (2) grams to as many as eight (8) ounces.

JONZARRION HARRIS faced a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years up to a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, at least five (5) years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee per count following any term of imprisonment. 

This prosecution was part of an extensive investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Bogalusa Police Department of individuals suspected of trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and/or firearms in the Bogalusa area.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that EVERETT J. DILLON (“DILLON”), age 34, of Golden Meadow, Louisiana, pled guilty today to Possession of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Children in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2). 

According to documents filed in federal court, the case against DILLON developed as a result of a lead to the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (“LBI”) that a KIK user had sent explicit videos of children, aged approximately ten (10) years of age. On December 1, 2020, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) special agents along with the LBI executed a search warrant at DILLON’s home in Golden Meadow.  Agents advised DILLON of his Miranda rights and, after waiving his rights, DILLON admitted that the KIK account and email address were his and that he stored child pornography on his electronic equipment. HSI computer forensic examiners located over 4,000 images and videos depicting the sexual victimization of children on the defendant’s AT&T cellular phone.  The images and videos depict pre-pubescent girls, including toddlers, engaged in sexual acts with adults.

DILLON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten (10) years and a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of $250,000.00, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person of the offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.  Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for January 25, 2022 at 2:00 pm, before United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations 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, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that VINCENT FELIX RIVERE, age 48, and MEGAN LYNN SHOEMAKER, age 36, residents of Maurepas, Louisiana, were sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to selling Louisiana box turtles on July 13, 2017. United States District Court Judge Wendy B. Vitter sentenced RIVERE and SHOEMAKER to serve one (1) year of probation.  

On July 13, 2017, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent arrived at the Office Depot parking lot in Covington, LA to arrange a previously negotiated undercover purchase of 29 Louisiana common box turtles from RIVERE. RIVERE and SHOEMAKER were waiting at the location.  The undercover agent greeted them, and RIVERE and SHOEMAKER began removing sacks containing Louisiana common box turtles from the trunk of his car. The undercover agent then paid RIVERE $680.00 in cash for the 29 Louisiana common box turtles.  

After the transaction, a traffic stop was performed. RIVERE was operating the vehicle and was in possession of the $680 he had received from the undercover agent. The agent checked the serial numbers on the money that RIVERE possessed and it matched the serial numbers on the money that had been provided from the undercover agent.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Homeland Security Investigations and the United Postal Service in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that, on October 19, 2021, DUVELL LONDON, JR., 41, of St. Rose, La., and JEREMY LEVANDA, age 40, of Destrehan, La., pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846. LONDON further pled guilty to 4 counts of distribution of controlled substances, 3 counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and 4 counts of use of a telephone in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. LEVANDA further pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of use of a telephone in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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

LONDON faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years up to a maximum of 40 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, at least 4 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and $1,200 in mandatory special assessment fees. LEVANDA faces up to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and at least 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $300 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter set sentencing for January 11, 2022.

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

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

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