Western District of Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Evaristo Contreras-Silva, 49, of Haughton, Louisiana, has been found guilty by a jury in United States District Court in Shreveport of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. The jury returned the guilty verdict yesterday afternoon. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the two-day trial.

Contreras-Silva was indicted on March 9, 2022 for illegally possessing a firearm while residing illegally in the United States. The facts at trial established that Contreras-Silva, a citizen of Mexico, entered the United States on a date unknown, but the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office encountered him in Haughton, Louisiana in February 2022 when it arrested Contreras-Silva for domestic abuse battery of a pregnant victim.  The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office notified the Department of Homeland Security and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives that it had arrested Contreras-Silva and that it believed he had a firearm in his truck.  After that, federal agents searched Contreras-Silva’s truck and residence, discovering a loaded 9mm pistol and multiple rounds of 5.56 ammunition. 

Contreras-Silva faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.  Sentencing has been set for December 13, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leon H. Whitten and William Gaskins.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Tyrus Brooks, 34, of Scott, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 115 months (9 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Brooks was charged in an indictment on November 18, 2021 and pleaded guilty on April 29, 2022 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

On March 9, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Brooks’ residence. During their search, officers recovered multiple controlled substances and a Glock .380 caliber firearm and ammunition belonging to Brooks. An analysis was conducted of the seized substances, and they were found to contain methamphetamine with a gross weight of 117 grams.

Brooks has prior felony convictions for attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine (2011), possession of methamphetamine (2017) and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2018).

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, and Lafayette Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – A Vivian man has been sentenced for assaulting a postal carrier, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.  Derrick J. Thomas, 28, of Vivian, Louisiana, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 137 months (11 years, 5 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment in September 2021 charging Thomas with assault with a deadly weapon and he pleaded guilty to the charge on March 22, 2022. According to information presented to the court, on August 12, 2021, a rural carrier associate working at the Vivian Post Office began servicing her mail route in Vivian which she had been doing for two years. Shortly after starting the route that morning, the rural postal carrier passed Thomas sitting outside his residence (which was an abandoned residence) and parked nearby to begin to deliver mail to the street.

Soon after, the postal carrier got back into her vehicle and began driving but stopped after being flagged down by Thomas. Thomas had a 10” butcher knife hidden on his person and stabbed the postal carrier, who was 5 months pregnant at the time, in the right front shoulder. The carrier hit the accelerator and fled the scene before Thomas could stab a second time. The incident was reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and after an investigation, Thomas was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

“Our federal employees and contractors must feel safe while in the course and scope of their employment,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This is especially true when our employees are working in rural areas where law enforcement resources are limited.  This defendant, without provocation, committed a violent, inexcusable crime and deserves every day in the jail that the court gave him.  We will continue to prosecute those who commit such heinous acts against federal workers.”

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Louisiana State Police, and the Vivian Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan.

# # #

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that James J. Julian, 37, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. for illegal possession of a firearm.  Julian was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Julian was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and pleaded guilty to the charge on May 3, 2022. The charge stems from an incident that occurred on March 3, 2020 when Julian got into an altercation with a female at her residence in Lake Charles. During their argument, Julian produced a silver revolver and pointed it at the female. There were children present who witnessed the incident and one child intervened until Julian left the residence on foot with the firearm. Law enforcement officers were called to the residence, and they searched for Julian. Behind the victim’s residence was an abandoned dwelling and officers located a silver High Standard .22 caliber revolver pistol and the victim was able to identify the firearm as being the one that Julian had pointed at her. Julian admitted to law enforcement officers that he had the firearm in his possession. He has a prior felony conviction for distribution of cocaine in 2014 and knew that he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the ATF and Lake Charles Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

# # #

ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Lisa G. Cooper, 55, of Cottonport, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to federal program theft. The hearing was held today before United States District Judge Dee D. Drell.

According to evidence presented to the court, Cooper was employed by, and an agent of, the Cottonport Housing Authority (“CHA”), which is a local government agency that provides subsidized housing to low income individuals. The CHA received more than $10,000 per year in 2017, 2018 and 2019 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) in the form of capital funds and operating subsidies.

In 2019, a routine financial audit was conducted, and it revealed some accounting discrepancies at the CHA, specifically, that from 2017 through 2019, tenant payments were being diverted from the CHA. Further investigation revealed that Cooper had been embezzling funds from the CHA.  While acting as an agent of the CHA, Cooper had been collecting rental payments on behalf of the agency from the CHA’s tenants in the form of money orders, with the payee and payor sections of the money orders left blank. Cooper would then enter her name as the payee and deposit the money orders into her personal bank accounts. The investigation revealed that approximately $30,079.05 in money orders was deposited into her personal bank accounts from 2017 through 2019.

Cooper admitted at today’s hearing that she acted as an agent of the CHA and embezzled and stole property from the CHA which she was not entitled to receive. She faces a sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. 

“This local government agency was there to assist low income individuals and this defendant’s choice to steal these funds for her own personal benefit is appalling,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “These types of crimes are ones that we will continue to pursue and prosecute.”

“This investigation represents our continuing resolve to address instances of fraud involving HUD programs,” said Bertrand Nelson, Special Agent in Charge, HUD, Office of Inspector General.  “We will continue to work diligently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to protect the integrity of our programs and take swift action against those who embezzle funds intended for those most vulnerable in our communities.”

The case was investigated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Daniel Siefker.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Michael Jarred Gentry, 33, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. on a charge of second degree murder. Gentry was sentenced to 480 months (40 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

On June 22, 2019, Antonio Williams, a U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier, was delivering mail in Shreveport. Shortly after 11:00 a.m., Williams was carrying mail to an apartment on Dudley Drive. Inside that apartment was Gentry, armed with a semi-automatic rifle. As Williams approached the apartment, Gentry fired four shots through the front door, striking Williams twice. Mr. Williams was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital shortly thereafter.

Gentry entered his guilty plea to the charge of second degree murder on March 21, 2022 and the United States and Gentry agreed to the stipulated sentence of 40 years in prison.

“This is a difficult day for the family and friends of Antonio Williams,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This family has suffered the tragic loss of a father and husband who cannot be replaced.  Although we know that this sentence will not fill the void that these family members and friends have suffered, we hope that it brings them some comfort knowing that this defendant will serve such a lengthy sentence in federal prison where there is no parole. I would like to thank the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their efforts in assisting with this investigation, as well as the Shreveport Police Department and federal agents with the ATF. It was because of their quick response and thorough investigation that we were able to bring this defendant to justice.”

“The sentencing of Michael Gentry for the murder of postal employee Antonio Williams brings to an end the investigation of a heinous crime,” said Scott Fix, Inspector in Charge of the Houston Division of the USPIS.  “The safety and well-being of Postal Service employees is a top priority for the Postal Inspection Service, and every act of violence elicits an immediate and firm response.  Postal Inspectors worked tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to seek justice for the victim and his family.” 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Shreveport Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. –  Ronald Carnell Holland, Jr., 24, of Many, Louisiana, was sentenced today on drug trafficking and firearms charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.  Holland was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 111 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Merritt pleaded guilty on March 7, 2022 to one count of possession of flualprazolam with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. These charges are the result of a search warrant that was executed on April 14, 2021 at Holland’s residence in Many, Louisiana. Law enforcement officers found three loaded pistols, as well as a high-capacity drum magazine loaded with 48 rounds of ammunition. In addition, officers recovered 2,000 flualprazolam pills, cash, boxes of various ammunition, clear plastic baggies, and a scale.

The case was investigated by the ATF and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown and Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – Two young men from Shreveport were sentenced late yesterday to federal prison for firearms violations, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced. Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced the two men as follows:

Shelby Alvin Chapple, 30, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On October 18, 2020, a Shreveport Police officer patrolling Hollywood Avenue shortly after midnight attempted to stop a car after observing it swerve across the center dividing line multiple times.  When the officer activated his cruiser’s overhead lights and siren, the car refused to pull over and, instead, drove through several red lights at high speed.  The car eventually turned down a residential street and shutoff its running lights to avoid detection.

During the ensuing police pursuit, the car slowed to a near stop when the driver, later identified as Chapple, jumped from the driver’s seat with the car still in drive and sprinted in between several homes while carrying a handgun loaded with a high-capacity magazine.  A police K-9 team eventually located Chapple who was hiding in a wooded area behind the homes.  Police found the loaded handgun on the ground where Chapple had discarded it.  After being advised of his Miranda rights, Chapple admitted to police that he possessed that gun and threw it before his arrest.  At the time of this incident, Chapple was on parole for a prior felony weapons offense.

This case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.

The second defendant sentenced was Decoby J. Office, 20, of Shreveport, who received a 24 month prison sentence, followed by 2 years of supervised release.

In this case, a Shreveport Police Department officer tried to stop a car being driven by Office on June 3, 2021.  The car fled and during the ensuing pursuit, Office threw a Glock 9mm handgun from the vehicle. Officers were able to recover the weapon and eventually the pursuit ended, and Office was arrested. A Shreveport Police Department officer searched the car and discovered a loaded magazine below the driver’s seat, where Office had been seated.  Office possessed the firearm and ammunition knowing that he was prohibited from doing so. His prior felony conviction is for illegal use of a weapon in 2021 in Caddo Parish, Louisiana.  

This case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.

# # #

ALEXANDRIA, La. - DaMarcus Lionell Williams, 29, of Colfax, Louisiana, was sentenced today in federal court on drug trafficking and firearms charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Williams was sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 192 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release.

Williams pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person on May 2, 2022. These charges are the result of an arrest of Williams on June 9, 2021 by law enforcement officers with the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Task Force. Officers made contact with Williams in Grant Parish, Louisiana, when he arrived on the scene of a traffic stop that was in progress. They recognized Williams and knew that he had an active arrest warrant, and he was arrested pursuant to the warrant.

During the encounter, officers lawfully searched Williams' vehicle and recovered suspected cocaine in the center console, as well as methamphetamine, marijuana, hydrocodone and buprenorphine hydrochloride pills, a loaded .880 Diamondback pistol, and digital scales, which were all found in different shoe boxes in the vehicle. Williams also had three cell phones in the vehicle. When asked about the drugs and gun that were found, Williams admitted they were his. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement officers conducted a lawful search of Williams’ bedroom at his mother’s residence. During their search, officers found approximately 2.3 grams of suspected marijuana, ammunition, and cash. The methamphetamine was tested by a lab and confirmed to be 416.56 grams of methamphetamine. The suspected cocaine was also tested by a lab and confirmed to be 42.309 grams of cocaine (powder).

Williams has prior felony convictions for possession of a legend drug in 2012, possession with intent to distribute cocaine in 2016, and distribution of methamphetamine in 2017. Williams knew that as a convicted felon he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the FBI, ATF and Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian C. Flanagan and Earl M. Campbell.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. – Justin M. Marks, 35, of Sulphur, Louisiana, has been sentenced for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Marks to 43 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to information presented to the court, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call involving the shooting of a canine on October 13, 2020. Deputies arrived at the residence and observed a dog with a gunshot wound to the upper chest. Witnesses were interviewed at the scene by deputies, and they approached the residence and made contact with Marks. After being advised of his Miranda warning, Marks agreed to speak with the deputies and admitted to shooting his neighbor’s dog. He produced the firearm that was used, and it was seized by law enforcement officers.

Marks admitted that he knew as a convicted felon he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. He has prior felony convictions for simple arson, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, and simple damage to property in 2008; and possession of methamphetamine in 2021.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie and Craig R. Bordelon.

# # #

Jared Preston Desadier, 44, of Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to a charge of deprivation of rights under color of law, announced Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown of the Western District of Louisiana; and Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams of the FBI New Orleans Field Office.

According to evidence presented to the court, on or about the evening of April 21, 2020, Desadier, who was at the time a uniformed officer with the Monroe Police Department (MPD), used unreasonable force by kicking an arrestee in the face. The incident occurred shortly after midnight, when MPD officers overheard an alarm system activate, and Desadier and other officers detained a man for questioning. When officers discovered drug paraphernalia on the man, the man ran from the scene and officers gave chase. Approximately a block away, a patrolling MPD officer caught up to the man and ordered him to the ground. The man complied, by lying flat on his stomach and putting his hands behind his back. As that officer approached and prepared to handcuff the man, Desadier ran up to the scene and kicked the man in the face as he lay face-down on the ground with both hands behind his back.

Desadier admitted in court that his assault on the victim was without justification, as the man did not present a threat to any officer or other person on the scene. Desadier also admitted that he knew, at the time, that his actions were unjustified and unreasonable under the circumstances.

“Instead of lawfully carrying out his sworn duties as a law enforcement officer, Desadier abused his authority by assaulting and injuring an arrestee who was not a threat,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute any officer who abuses the public trust by using excessive force without basis.”

“I applaud our local, law-abiding police officers for their service to our respective communities,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “Unfortunately, there are a few police officers who cannot be described as law-abiding. When police officers commit crimes in violation of federal criminal civil rights statutes that can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt in a federal court of law, we will prosecute those officers zealously and without hesitation. The actions of this officer are inexcusable, violate public trust in law enforcement and he must be held accountable. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to enforcing the rule of law and protecting the civil rights of all persons present within the Western District of Louisiana, with a goal of restoring and building the public’s trust in local, state and federal law enforcement.”

“The preservation of civil rights and the investigation of color of law violations are of utmost priority for the FBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Williams Jr. “Today's guilty plea sends a clear message that individuals like Jared Preston Desadier will be held responsible and no one is above the law. We thank our partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Louisiana and Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for their strong partnership and dedication to protecting the civil rights of every citizen.” 

Desadier faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing has been set for Nov. 21.

The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian C. Flanagan and Mary J. Mudrick, and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

MONROE, La. - Jared Preston Desadier, 44, of Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to a charge of deprivation of rights under color of law, announced Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown of the Western District of Louisiana; and Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams of the FBI New Orleans Field Office.

According to evidence presented to the court, on or about the evening of April 21, 2020, Desadier, who was at the time a uniformed officer with the Monroe Police Department (MPD), used unreasonable force by kicking an arrestee in the face. The incident occurred shortly after midnight, when MPD officers overheard an alarm system activate, and Desadier and other officers detained a man for questioning. When officers discovered drug paraphernalia on the man, the man ran from the scene and officers gave chase. Approximately a block away, a patrolling MPD officer caught up to the man and ordered him to the ground. The man complied, by lying flat on his stomach and putting his hands behind his back. As that officer approached and prepared to handcuff the man, Desadier ran up to the scene and kicked the man in the face as he lay face-down on the ground with both hands behind his back.

Desadier admitted in court that his assault on the victim was without justification, as the man did not present a threat to any officer or other person on the scene. Desadier also admitted that he knew, at the time, that his actions were unjustified and unreasonable under the circumstances.

“Instead of lawfully carrying out his sworn duties as a law enforcement officer, Desadier abused his authority by assaulting and injuring an arrestee who was not a threat,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute any officer who abuses the public trust by using excessive force without basis.”

“I applaud our local, law-abiding police officers for their service to our respective communities,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “Unfortunately, there are a few police officers who cannot be described as law-abiding. When police officers commit crimes in violation of federal criminal civil rights statutes that can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt in a federal court of law, we will prosecute those officers zealously and without hesitation. The actions of this officer are inexcusable, violate public trust in law enforcement, and he must be held accountable. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to enforcing the rule of law and protecting the civil rights of all persons present within the Western District of Louisiana, with a goal of restoring and building the public’s trust in local, state and federal law enforcement.”

“The preservation of civil rights and the investigation of color of law violations are of utmost priority for the FBI. Today's guilty plea sends a clear message that individuals like Jared Preston Desadier will be held responsible and no one is above the law,” said Special Agent in Charge Williams Jr. “We thank our partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Louisiana and Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for their strong partnership and dedication to protecting the civil rights of every citizen.” 

Desadier faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.  His sentencing has been set for November 21, 2022.

The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian C. Flanagan and Mary J. Mudrick, and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Xzavier Dyson, 23, of Abbeville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge R. Summerhays to 42 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on firearms charges.

Dyson was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2021 and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty to the charge on March 23, 2022. The charge stems from an incident that occurred on May 26, 2020 when Dyson was the rear passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for a traffic violation in Abbeville. The driver consented to a search of the vehicle and a pat down search was conducted by law enforcement officers of each occupant of the vehicle. The deputy found a Cobra .380 pistol on Dyson’s person and seized the weapon.  Dyson had a previous felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and illegal carrying of a weapon in 2018 and was on probation when this offense occurred. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from having a firearm or ammunition in his possession.

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

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

# # #

ALEXANDRIA, La. – A federal prisoner housed at the Federal Correctional Institution in Pollock, Louisiana (FCI-Pollock) has been sentenced for voluntary manslaughter, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Jose G. Mercado-Gonzalez, 27, has been sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to spend an additional 135 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for this offense.

On October 16, 2021, Mercado-Gonzalez was an inmate at the Bureau of Prisons, FCI-Pollock. On that date, Mercado-Gonzalez was moved to a cell in the Special Housing Unit at FCI-Pollock where he had an altercation which ended in him killing his cellmate. When the victim was found by officers at the prison, he had sustained injuries which caused him to lose his life.

A federal grand jury charged Mercado-Gonzalez on March 24, 2021 and he pleaded guilty to the charge of voluntary manslaughter on March 17, 2022.  At the time of this offense, Mercado-Gonzalez was serving a federal sentence for re-entry of a removed alien.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of two cases involving sex crimes. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the three defendants as follows:

Kevondric Fezia, 26, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 327 months (27 years, 3 months) in prison, and Calista Jenee Winfrey, 23, of Orange, Texas was sentenced to 36 months (3 years) in prison. Both defendants will serve 5 years of supervised release after their release from prison. In addition, Fezia and Winfrey were each ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,500. Fezia and Winfrey were charged with sex trafficking and attempting to entice a minor to engage in prostitution. Fezia was convicted by a jury in Lafayette following a two-day trial and Winfrey pleaded guilty to sex trafficking in February 2022.

Evidence presented in this case revealed that beginning in November 2020, Fezia was recruiting minor females to engage in prostitution and began communicating with a 14-year-old female in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Fezia was well aware when he began communicating with her that she was a minor, but still pursued her and tried to convince her that she would profit by engaging in prostitution through him. The minor victim made a decision to run away with Fezia to Texas. On February 13, 2021, he picked up the minor victim and took her to Texas. Winfrey and Fezia both were well aware that the victim was only 14 years old, but they continued to try and convince her to engage in prostitution.

Both defendants traveled with the minor victim to a hotel in Beaumont, Texas and introduced her to a 16-year-old prostitute that was also working for Fezia. Winfrey engaged in multiple acts of prostitution in the presence of the minor victim at the hotel, continually trying to convince the minor victim that she should also engage in prostitution. Fezia took photographs of both minor girls and the other prostitutes he was employing. He then posted them on his Instagram account as an advertisement, along with a visible geo tag showing those who saw the advertisement where to go to engage in sexual acts with the girls.

When the minor victim’s grandmother realized that she had run away from home, she began looking at the child’s social media accounts and found the communications between her granddaughter and Fezia. She then contacted law enforcement. Law enforcement officers were able to identify Fezia and found him at his apartment in Houston, Texas, along with other prostitutes and the minor victim. He attempted to hide her in the closet, but she and the other 16-year-old prostitute were found.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Lake Charles Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Luke Walker and John W. Nickel.

In the second case, Mickey Dewayne Williams, 43, of Lake Charles, was sentenced to 327 months (27 years, 3 months) in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for sexual exploitation of children.

In March 2021, law enforcement officers in Texas were contacted by an individual alleging that their minor child had been videotaped while naked in the bathtub by Williams. Law enforcement agents questioned Williams about the incident, and he admitted that he had in fact taken the photographs of the child while they were in the Western District of Louisiana. Williams has a prior felony conviction for possession of child pornography which also occurred in the Western District of Louisiana in 2014. He served time in federal prison for that offense and was on supervised release at the time that this incident occurred.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Luke Walker.

“These defendants sought out those to victimize who were vulnerable, whether it was girls under the age of 17, or minor children, without any regard for the well being of those victims but instead to gratify their own selfish desires,” said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Sex trafficking and sexual exploitation crimes are on the rise, and we are committed to continuing to work with our federal and local partners to stop those who choose to destroy teenage lives and scar those of child victims.”

“There is no place in our society for those who prey on the most vulnerable of our population. These sentence lengths reflect the heinous nature of the crimes committed, and for the HSI special agents and our law enforcement partners, it’s a gratifying outcome. We are thankful to our special agents and our law enforcement partners who do the difficult but important work of investigating these crimes,” said HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Dave Denton. “We also hope that the sentence serves as part of the victims’ healing process, and it reaffirms our commitment to safeguarding our nation’s children.”

These cases are part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. - Morgan Lyons, 43, of Jennings, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 137 months (11 years, 5 months) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of drugs and firearms, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.

Lyons was convicted by a jury in Lafayette on February 10, 2022 of one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. According to evidence presented at trial, law enforcement officers with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Combined Anti-Drug Task Force, the Louisiana State Police and the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, using a cooperating witness, did a controlled delivery of marijuana to a residence in which Morgan Lyons resided. Shortly after the controlled delivery, officers executed a search warrant of the residence and located approximately 43 ounces of cocaine, a ledger book, 4 digital scales, $36,020, an AR-15 assault rifle, a Ruger 9mm firearm, and a large box of assorted ammunition, as well as numerous documents in the name of Morgan Lyons.

Evidence introduced at trial revealed that Lyons has a prior felony conviction for possession of cocaine and a prior conviction for possession of over 400 grams of cocaine, as well as multiple violent felony arrests. As a result of his conviction, he will forfeit the $36,020 which was seized.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Luke Walker and Craig R. Bordelon.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two defendants for illegally possessing firearms in the Western District of Louisiana.  

Brian Damar Paul, 35, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 33 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On December 31, 2020, investigators with the Lake Charles Police Department were dispatched to a residence in Lake Charles. Prior to their arrival, investigators learned that the Paul was in the residence with a firearm and was refusing to leave. Upon their arrival, Paul was asked to step outside the residence and when he emerged, they observed him place a handgun in the trashcan near the front door. The firearm was seized and after being advised of his Miranda rights, Paul consented to an interview. Paul stated that he had stolen the firearm from a female friend while at her house and then brought it to his residence. When he saw investigators arrive, he threw the firearm in the trashcan. Paul has a previous felony conviction for armed robbery in 2008 and was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Lake Charles Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker prosecuted the case.

Miguel Morales-Duran, 33, a citizen of Mexico, has been sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 1 year and 1 day in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release. Morales-Duran was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. He pleaded guilty to the charge on March 30, 2022.  Officers with the Broussard Police Department responded to a call of shots fired in Broussard, Louisiana on December 25, 2021. The complainant stated that shots were heard coming from a residence nearby. When officers made contact with one of the males at that residence, they stated that Morales-Duran had fired the shots in the backyard. A Glock, Model 22, .40 caliber handgun was found in the residence and Morales-Duran was arrested. He admitted to police officers that he had fired the handgun and knew that he was an alien illegally and unlawfully present in the United States.

This case was investigated by the ATF and Broussard Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two defendants who were involved in the production and distribution of child pornography, have each been sentenced by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays.

Dustin Patrick Wyble, 37, of Sunset, Louisiana, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison. Katie-Sue Fory Walz, 33, also of Sunset, was sentenced to 96 months (8 years) in prison. Both Wyble and Walz were each ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,000. Following their release from prison, they will serve 15 years of supervised release. In addition, mandatory sex offender registration was ordered for both defendants.

According to evidence presented to the court, Wyble began communicating through the internet chat application, KIK, with an undercover agent in February 2020. During these chats, Wyble provided images of a prepubescent child exposing their private parts in the image. Through their investigative efforts, law enforcement agents were able to determine where Wyble lived and went to his residence to speak with him. Wyble eventually admitted to using KIK in order to send images of child pornography to other users. A search warrant was obtained for Wyble’s residence and agents seized several electronic devices that Wyble admitted were used to send images through the KIK application. A forensic examination of the devices revealed that Wyble used the devices to store numerous child pornographic images and used his KIK account to administer group chats to share child pornographic images among the group’s users. The investigation also revealed that Wyble and Walz produced some of the images recovered.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and Louisiana State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie and Robert C. Abendroth.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two men from Shreveport were sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. for illegally possessing firearms.

Damontra Vonravious Mandigo, 22, was sentenced to 87 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Shreveport Police Department officers were patrolling an area in Shreveport on March 15, 2021 and observed a vehicle parked in the driveway of a vacant residence. Officers made contact with the individual in the driver’s seat, later identified as Mandigo. A search was conducted of his vehicle and law enforcement officers found a Zastava 7.62x39mm pistol. Officers were aware that Mandigo was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition. He was arrested and later admitted to agents that the firearm was his. Mandigo’s prior felony convictions were for illegal use of a weapon in 2011, and attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2018.

Tramarciea Jovan Ruffins a/k/a “JJ,” 29, was sentenced to 50 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Ruffins was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 13, 2021 and he pleaded guilty to the charge on February 28, 2022. Officers with the Shreveport Police Department and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) attempted to make contact with Ruffins and another individual in a vehicle in the Cooper Road area of Shreveport on March 11, 2021. When the driver saw police, he drove off and fled the scene. Police chased the vehicle until it crashed. Both Ruffins and the driver jumped out after the crash and fled on foot. Police used K-9 dogs to locate them hidden in an exterior utility closet on Tulsa Street in Shreveport. Ruffins and the driver were arrested and advised of their Miranda rights. Officers searched the area and located firearms loaded with ammunition against the side wall of the residence where they were hiding. Ruffins admitted to law enforcement officers that he had been in possession of the Smith and Wesson .45 caliber pistol.  Ruffins was previously convicted of aggravated battery in 2014, and felon in possession of a firearm in 2018.

Both of these cases were investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

# # #

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Brandon Khesahn Cooper, 50, of Dubach, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty.  Cooper was sentenced to a total of 138 months (11 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession of firearms by a convicted felon and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to evidence presented in court, deputies with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Cooper’s residence on October 19, 2021. Inside his bedroom, deputies found 12 grams of methamphetamine and a Charter Arms .38 revolver located next to Cooper’s wallet. Deputies also found packaging material consistent with distribution of illegal substances and a .410 gauge CBC shotgun in the bedroom.

Law enforcement agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) interviewed Cooper after being read his Miranda rights. In the interview, Cooper claimed the methamphetamine and firearms, and admitted to agents that he was selling drugs and had purchased the revolver even though he was a convicted felon. Cooper had previously been convicted of a felony and knew that he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined that the revolver and shotgun were both manufactured outside of the state of Louisiana and had traveled in interstate commerce.

The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF and the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of three cases in Shreveport today involving the illegal possession of firearms. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced the following defendants:

Cedarrick Arenzo Brooks, 22, was sentenced to 120 months in prison, and Kymmton Solomon, 24, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for being convicted felons in possession of firearms. Both will serve 3 years of supervised release following their release from prison. Brooks and Solomon were both charged in October 2021 as the result of an investigation by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Shreveport/Caddo Violent Crime Abatement Team (VCAT). Agents began conducting surveillance of Solomon after he had been identified as a person of interest in multiple violent crimes by Shreveport Police Department detectives. During their investigation, agents observed Solomon as he drove to a house on Bibb Street in Shreveport and met with an unknown male, later identified as Brooks. Agents were able to see Brooks carrying what appeared to be an AR-style rifle with a high-capacity drum magazine as he got into the vehicle with Solomon.

Shortly thereafter, deputies with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle while driving on Mansfield Road but Solomon fled through traffic. After a pursuit, Solomon’s vehicle left the roadway and crashed on the side of the road. Solomon and the passenger, Brooks, exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Solomon fled into the woods and was taken into custody in the backyard of a residence on St. Helens Drive in Shreveport. Brooks was apprehended in the parking lot of a store on Walker Road.  He was bitten by a  K-9, escaped briefly, jumped on top of a car with a female and children inside, and then was tased and fell off the car.

Deputies cleared the vehicle Solomon was driving after both he and Brooks had fled and located a Zastava AK-47 rifle lying in the driver’s seat and a Carbon-15 .556 caliber pistol lying on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat. Solomon and Brooks were both arrested and interviewed. Solomon told officers that the Zastava AK-47 rifle belonged to his girlfriend but that he used it to protect himself. Brooks admitted that he knew there were two firearms in the vehicle. Solomon has a prior felony conviction for simple burglary in Caddo Parish in 2016. Brooks has a prior felony conviction for second degree battery in Ouachita Parish in 2019. 

Haston Smith, Jr., 30, of Bossier City, Louisiana, was sentenced to 32 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  On or about October 5, 2021, agents with the ATF and the Shreveport/Caddo VCAT were conducting surveillance on Smith’s residence after he had been identified as a person of interest in an ongoing investigation by Shreveport Police Department’s Violent Crime detectives. Agents were aware that Smith was a convicted felon and could not possess firearms. Smith was observed leaving his residence with what appeared to be a handgun in his hand and get into a vehicle along with an adult female and two children. Agents maintained surveillance on Smith as he drove the vehicle from Bossier City to the Cooper Road area in Shreveport. After violating a traffic law, Smith was stopped by law enforcement agents. As they went to escort the female and children out of the vehicle, agents observed a firearm laying on the front passenger seat floorboard in plain view. The firearm was seized and identified as a Glock 23 pistol. Smith was arrested and admitted the firearm was his even though he knew as a convicted felon he was prohibited from doing so. Smith’s prior felony conviction was for illegal use of weapons in Caddo Parish in 2014.

These cases were investigated by the ATF, Shreveport Police Department, and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - The Justice Department has announced that it has opened a pattern or practice investigation into the Louisiana State Police (LSP). This civil investigation will assess whether LSP uses excessive force and whether it engages in racially discriminatory policing. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of LSP policies, training, supervision, and force investigations, as well as LSP’s systems of accountability, including misconduct complaint intake, investigation, review, disposition, and discipline.

“In times of attempting to resolve controversy and conflict, the parties involved must get comfortable having uncomfortable conversations,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Today, the U.S. Department of Justice has pledged to be a conduit between the Louisiana State Police and community stakeholders, so that open lines of communication can start flowing and any concerns will not fall on deaf ears.”

“Protecting the civil rights of all Americans and building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve are among the Justice Department’s most important responsibilities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This investigation, like all of our pattern or practice investigations, will seek to promote the transparency, accountability, and public trust that is essential to public safety.”

“Every American, regardless of race, has the right to constitutional policing,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “Based on an extensive review of publicly available information and information provided to us, we find significant justification to investigate whether Louisiana State Police engages in excessive force and engages in racially discriminatory policing against Black residents and other people of color. The Justice Department stands ready to use every tool in our arsenal to confront allegations of misconduct and to ensure legitimacy during encounters with law enforcement.”

The investigation is being conducted pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives individuals of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. The statute allows the Department to remedy such misconduct through civil litigation. The Department will be assessing law enforcement practices under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as under the Safe Streets Act of 1968 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The investigation is separate from any federal criminal investigation of LSP troopers.

Prior to the announcement, Department officials informed Governor John Bel Edwards, Colonel Lamar Davis, and Deputy General Counsel Gail Holland of the investigation. They pledged to cooperate with the investigation. As part of this investigation, the Department officials will reach out to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with LSP.

The Special Litigation Section of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana will jointly conduct this investigation. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Department of Justice via email at Community.Louisiana@usdoj.gov or by phone at (202) 353-0684. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the Civil Rights Division’s reporting portal, available at civilrights.justice.gov.

Information specific to the Civil Rights Division’s Police Reform Work can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/crt/file/922421/download. 

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – Andre Deaveon Reese, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 33 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Reese was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims in this case in the amount of $9,797.95.

According to evidence presented to the court, while serving time in the Autry State Prison (Autry) in Georgia in 2015, and continuing through July 2020, Reese participated in a scheme to defraud victims by telling them they had failed to appear for jury duty and a warrant had been issued for their arrest. To carry out this scheme, inmates used contraband cellular telephones from inside Autry to access internet websites to identify the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of potential fraud victims. Using the cellular telephones, inmates called the victims who name, and number had been obtained and made certain false misrepresentations to the victims. The inmates told the victims that they were law enforcement officials and that the victim had unlawfully failed to appear for jury duty. In addition, the victims were told that because they had failed to appear for jury duty, warrants had been issued for their arrest and the victim had a choice of being arrested on the warrant or pay a fine to have the arrest warrant dismissed.

To make the calls seem real, Reese, along with other inmates, created fictitious voicemail greetings on their contraband cellular telephones used by the inmates, identifying themselves as members of legitimate law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshal Service. For those victims who wanted to pay a fine, the inmates instructed them to purchase pre-paid cash cards and provide the account number of the cash card or the victim could wire money directly into a pre-paid debit card account held by the inmates or one of the co-conspirators. Based on these false representations, the victims electronically transferred money to the inmates because they believe that the funds would be used to pay the fine.

After a victim provided an inmate with the account number of the pre-paid cash card, the inmates then used their contraband cellular telephones to contact co-conspirators, who were not incarcerated, to have those individuals transfer the money from the cash card purchased by the victims to a pre-paid debit card possessed by the co-conspirators. The co-conspirators would then withdraw the victim’s money via an automated teller machine or at a retail store.

In August of 2016, two individuals, ages 75 and 78, living in the Western District of Louisiana, became victims of Reese’s scheme. The victims believed the callers, who were inmates posing as legitimate law enforcement officers, and followed their instructions to pay them to have the alleged warrants for their arrest for failing to appear for jury duty dismissed. The two victims $9,797.95 to Reese and his co-conspirators.

The case was investigated by the FBI and U.S. Marshal Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – Three men from Shreveport, Louisiana have been sentenced for illegally possessing firearms, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced. Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. has sentenced two of the men, LilTerrence Pierce, 27, and Keyon Coleman, 19. Pierce was sentenced to 87 months (12 years, 3 months) in prison, and Coleman was sentenced to 30 months (2 years, 6 months) in prison. Both men will serve 3 years of supervised release following their release from prison.

On or about July 20, 2021, a Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle for traffic violations, including speeding and expired inspection registration. Pierce was the driver of the vehicle and Coleman was seated in the back passenger side. During the encounter, the deputy conducted a lawful search of the vehicle and recovered three firearms, including a FNH .45 caliber pistol loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition, a Palmetto State Armory 5.56 caliber pistol loaded with 41 rounds of ammunition, as well as a Glock 9mm pistol with an extended magazine loaded with 32 rounds of ammunition. One of the firearms had been reported stolen. Pierce admitted to possessing the firearms, knowing that he was prohibited from doing so due to being a convicted felon. Coleman admitted that he purchased the stolen firearm with a loaded, extended magazine off the streets for a fraction of the retail price, knowing that it was likely to have been stolen.

Pierce has prior felony convictions for illegal use of a weapon (January 2012 and April 2018) and simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling (May 2012 and October 2013) and knew that as a convicted felon he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.

In an unrelated case, Darrien Demarqez Johnson, 29, was sentenced by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. On May 12, 2021, troopers with the Louisiana State Police stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and Johnson was a passenger. After the stop, Johnson fled on foot carrying a Saiga rifle and a backpack containing a Beretta pistol. During the foot chase, Johnson tossed the backpack and rifle but they were recovered by troopers a short time later. Johnson was later arrested and charged with possession of firearms by a convicted felon.  He had previously been convicted of domestic abuse battery in 2010 and 2018 and was therefore, prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Johnson was charged and pleaded guilty on February 11, 2022.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Louisiana State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

# # #

MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty has sentenced two men to federal prison for illegal possession of narcotics.

Antoyn A. Wordlaw, 43, of Delhi, Louisiana, was sentenced to 234 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  On July 6, 2021, Louisiana State Police (LSP) received a call from a company in Delhi, stating there were narcotics found in an employee locker room. The company found a soft-side cooler bag with a large amount of narcotics inside a locker belonging to Wordlaw. Law enforcement agents with the LSP and Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the call and were able to review surveillance cameras for the day and identified Wordlaw walking into the plant and locker room with the same cooler bag. Wordlaw was arrested and a search of the cooler bag revealed that it contained a clear bag with methamphetamine, four bags with marijuana, numerous baggies for distribution and several other controlled substances. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted a chemical analysis and determined that the substance was in fact methamphetamine with a net weight of 88.9 grams and a 95% purity level.

The case was investigated by the DEA, LSP and Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan.

In an unrelated case, Preston Ryan Eckard, 23, of Fort Necessity, Louisiana, was sentenced to 48 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine. Deputies with the Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Eckard in December 2020. Law enforcement agents were able to obtain video evidence of Eckard selling methamphetamine for cash on two occasions in January and February of 2021. The narcotics were seized and sent to the lab for analysis. The North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory determined the narcotics seized on January 28, 2021 to be 28.01 grams of methamphetamine. The DEA Laboratory determined that narcotics seized on February 2, 2021 had a net weight of 44.92 grams of pure methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by the DEA and Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.

“Our office has a heightened interest in conducting parallel drug trafficking investigations with state law enforcement in the more rural areas of our district, where there is a violation of federal law,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “There are instances where local law enforcement, through no fault of their own, may have limited resources to conduct such investigations. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with these jurisdictions and communities so that these residents can live in a safe environment.”

# # #

MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Joshua Ray Webb McGee, 34, of Olla, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to a total of 60 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. McGee was sentenced to 46 months for possession of firearm by convicted felon and an additional 14 months for violating the terms of his supervised release. McGee was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery in the Eastern District of Arkansas and was sentenced to 46 months in prison on November 14, 2018.

On July 27, 2021, a concerned motorist called 911 to report a motor vehicle accident in LaSalle Parish. When law enforcement arrived, the motorist told officers what had transpired. He explained that as he was traveling near a sharp curve in the road a blue SUV came around the curve traveling at a high rate of speed. This caused him to make an abrupt turn into the opposite lane to avoid a head-on collision and the other vehicle traveled off the roadway and hit a tree and went into the drainage ditch. The motorist turned around and went back to the accident site to check on the erratic driver. As he drove back up to the accident site, he saw the man, later determined to be McGee, walking in front of the car on the highway. He asked if the man was okay, and he said yes but asked the motorist not to call it in because he had just gotten out of jail and did not want any trouble. The motorist offered to let the man sit in his vehicle as it began to rain, and McGee asked if he could get his gun and the motorist told him no. The motorist then watched McGee throw a long black gun into the woods nearby. He then told McGee that he had already called 911 and McGee then fled into the woods.  Officers found paperwork in the vehicle with McGee’s name on it and were able to recover the firearm from the wooded area where McGee had thrown it. A few days later, the motorist was able to positively identify McGee as the sole occupant and driver of the vehicle and who he had seen with the firearm. McGee was charged with one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The case was investigated by the ATF and LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that four men have been sentenced for their involvement in the theft of 32 firearms from a gun dealer in Maurice, Louisiana. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced the defendants as follows:

Damien Damon Briggs, 28, of Kaplan, Louisiana, was sentenced to 96 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Tawaski Tavon Lewis, 32, of Abbeville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.

Travon Travel Citizen, 18, of Abbeville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

The fourth defendant in this case, Dante Citizen, 23, of Abbeville, Louisiana, was sentenced on March 2, 2022 to 14 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release.

Each of the defendants pleaded guilty to theft of firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee. All four of the men admitted to their involvement in stealing 32 firearms from the premises of Swampland Trading Co., a licensed firearms dealer located in Maurice, Louisiana, on September 7, 2021. All 32 firearms were in the licensee’s business inventory.

“This is a great example of cooperation between federal and state law enforcement agencies,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Because of their synergy and cohesion, all 32 firearms were recovered the same night they were stolen, and Swampland Trading Co. was able to properly sell the firearms to customers who had a legal right to purchase them.”

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

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Lovoriss Montray Powell, 39, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 72 months (6 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

On May 9, 2020, a trooper with the Louisiana State Police stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and Powell was identified as the driver and sole occupant. The trooper asked for permission to search the vehicle and Powell gave consent. During the search, the trooper found a loaded 9mm firearm under the driver’s seat. Powell was arrested and later admitted that he had put the firearm under the seat and knew that because he had prior felony convictions, he was prohibited from having a firearm. An investigation by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined that the firearm was stolen. Powell’s prior felony convictions are for simple burglary (2000), accessory after the fact armed robbery (2001), illegal use of a weapon (2002), and domestic abuse battery (2010).

“This defendant has multiple felony convictions and chose to illegally possess a stolen firearm,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Given the epidemic concerning the illegal possession of firearms in the Shreveport area, I want it to be clear that the United States Attorney’s Office will aggressively prosecute those who violate federal firearm laws and will seek sentences of imprisonment.”

This case was investigated by the ATF and Louisiana State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

# # #

MONROE, La. – John Henry Butler, Jr., 44, of Providence Village, Texas, has been sentenced in the Western District of Louisiana on drug conspiracy charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.  United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Butler to 240 months (20 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Butler pleaded guilty December 16, 2021 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Butler, along with three others, were indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2021 and charged with a methamphetamine conspiracy in connection with their drug trafficking activities in the Monroe, Louisiana area. Evidence presented in court established that from February through November of 2019, agents conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine from one of Butler’s co-defendants. In November 2019, agents were able to obtain approval from the court to monitor calls on the phone of Darryl Andrea Williams, one of Butler’s co-defendants. Agents were able to intercept phone calls between Williams and Butler concerning the distribution of methamphetamine, along with calls between Williams and the other co-defendants. The other defendants charged in this case and their sentences are as follows:

Darryl Andrea Williams, 60, of Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 144 months (12 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Travis Dishun Little, 36, of Monroe, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 144 months (12 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Jeremy Michael Davis, 37, of Monroe, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 196 months (16 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the DEA and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian C. Flanagan and J. Aaron Crawford.

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

# # #

ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Dustin Thompson, 36, of Alexandria, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell for his involvement in the trafficking of fentanyl and illegal possession of firearms. Thompson was sentenced to 270 months (22 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Thompson was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury with drug trafficking and firearms offenses. On October 4, 2021, Thompson pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

On March 12, 2018, Thompson distributed a controlled substance to an individual in Alexandria and represented to him that the substance was heroin, when in truth and in fact, it was fentanyl. After consuming what he thought to be heroin, the individual became unconscious and crashed his vehicle into the Alexandria, Louisiana Police Department.

Law enforcement officers administered NARCAN, a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose, in order to revive the victim and he was taken to a local hospital where a NARCAN drip was given to him for an extended period of time. Law enforcement officers later searched Thompson’s residence and found three loaded firearms, 54 grams of fentanyl, and a large sum of cash.

“In this case, a large amount of fentanyl was recovered.  However, let it be known that the Western District of Louisiana’s United States Attorney’s Office will aggressively prosecute all illegal fentanyl trafficking cases regardless of the quantity involved and we will seek stiff sentences of imprisonment.  This has become an epidemic throughout the southern part of the country and this district is no exception. These law enforcement officers are to be commended for their swift, heady action resulting in this victim’s life being spared.”

This case was investigated by the FBI, ATF and Alexandria Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth D. Reeg and J. Aaron Crawford.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown joins the Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), in recognizing Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell and his fellow team members for receiving the Federal Service Award last week in Washington, D.C.  Mr. Campbell serves as the Criminal Chief for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Louisiana.

The Office for Victims of Crime presented the Federal Service Award to the Environmental Crime Victim Assistance Team, a collaboration of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training and the Justice Department’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division. This award recognizes the extraordinary efforts of federal agency personnel who lead initiatives and make contributions that impact victims of federal, tribal and military crimes, or promote victims’ rights and services nationally and internationally.

“Acts that degrade the environment exact a heavy toll on our planet, but we often forget that individual victims pay a high price as well, and are often left to suffer in silence,” said Amy L. Solomon, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of OJP. “Those who commit these crimes do enormous damage that often goes undetected until injury and illness reach the point of personal crisis. The vigilance and resourcefulness of this dedicated team of professionals are worthy of our highest esteem and our deepest gratitude.”

Created in 2017, the Environmental Crime Victim Assistance Team identifies and supports victims of environmental injustices. Injuries from environmental crimes, such as widespread pollution and exposure to carcinogens, may not manifest for years after the crime, and even then, it is difficult to distinguish between external causes and underlying medical conditions. Until the creation of the program, there were no national protocols or dedicated federal resources to ensure that victims of environmental crimes were identified, notified and treated consistently nationwide.

The program created a decision tree to identify victims, a victim impact statement template tailored to environmental crimes, an investigation and prosecution checklist to ensure victims are considered and model charging language and jury instructions for certain victim and witness retaliation offenses. The team is also improving outreach to victims in overburdened communities and ensuring that investigations are structured to pursue remedies that guarantee adequate protection for those communities. Program accomplishments include establishing a national victim-witness coordinator position at EPA, hiring a victim-witness coordinator for ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section, launching public webpages for outreach to victims of environmental crimes and developing national training.

"This outstanding team of advocates and attorneys exemplifies compassion in the pursuit of often elusive justice, giving hope to those whose communities have borne the burden of careless and criminal environmental practices,” said Kristina Rose, Director of the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). “We owe these professionals an enormous debt of gratitude.”

Every April, OVC leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. President Ronald W. Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, calling for greater sensitivity to the rights and needs of victims. This year’s observance took place last week, April 24-30, and featured the theme, “Rights, Access, Equity, for All Victims.”

# # #

SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week which has been observed during this week of April 24-30, 2022. This year’s theme is “Rights, Access, and Equity for all Victims.” This week is all about honoring victims, survivors, and the people and organizations throughout the United States who support and serve them.

“There are many people in our community who know first-hand what it feels like to have been a victim of crime,” stated U.S. Attorney Brown. “When it happens to you, it affects you for a lifetime and we never forget the events that caused us to be a victim. Our office is committed to protecting the rights of those who are crime victims. We will continue to work with both state and local agencies to bring those who commit those crimes to justice and by providing support to the crime victims throughout the judicial process.”

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an opportunity to remember not only victims who we are currently serving, but also those who have lost their lives as the result of senseless acts of terrorism such as the Oklahoma City Bombing on April 19, 1995, the attacks on September 11, 2001 in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and the bombing at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. Not only are there victims of crime in other cities, but also right here in the Western District of Louisiana where our office has prosecuted numerous cases and justice was served for many victims. Some significant cases involving victims which our office has prosecuted are as follows:

• In US v. Thomas Steven Sanders, the victims, a mother and daughter, were both kidnapped from Las Vegas and killed by Sanders. A jury in Alexandria, Louisiana, convicted Sanders and he was sentenced to death and is currently on death row.
• In US v. Dillon Merritt, a jury in Shreveport, Louisiana convicted Merritt of kidnapping the victim and brutally beating, raping and torturing her for nearly a week, but she survived and was able to tell her story about the awful things he did to her. Merritt was sentenced to life in prison.
• In US v. Kirbyjon Caldwell and Gregory Smith, both defendants pleaded guilty to defrauding investors out of over $3.5 million. Most of the victims were friends and clients of Smith, who was a financial advisor in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Caldwell, who was the pastor of a mega church in Houston, Texas. Caldwell and Smith were sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay $3,588,500 in restitution to the victims in this case.
• In US v. Mehmood Patel, a jury in Lafayette, Louisiana, convicted Patel, who was a cardiologist in Lafayette. Patel was found guilty of health care fraud as a result of his performing heart catheterizations, stents, and angiograms on patients and many of these procedures were found to be medically unnecessary. Patel was sentenced to ten years in prison and was ordered to pay $387,511.56 in restitution to his many victims.
• In US v. David D. DeBerardinis, he pleaded guilty to defrauding numerous victims who were his friends and business associates out of millions of dollars. DeBerardinis, who was a businessman in Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $51,462,909.66 in restitution to his victims.

“These are just a few examples of victims we have sought and obtained justice for,” stated U.S. Attorney Brown. “However, we know our job is never done. This office will continue to work hard to ensure that the rights of victims are protected, and the laws are upheld in the Western District of Louisiana.” 

During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, many organizations who work with victims everyday rally together to bring awareness of victims’ rights and services. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs and supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state in the United States. Funding for these programs comes from the Crime Victims Fund, which is obtained by the collection of federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures. Many of our state and local non-governmental agencies receive grants and funding from these sources in order to provide victim services here locally.

The OVC leads the nation in the observance of this week and groups across the nation join in to bring awareness to the need for rights and services to be provided to victims of crime.  The annual Awards Ceremony will be held today in Washington, D.C. If you would like to observe the event, click on this link to register: www.ovc.ojp.gov/live.        

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Chukwuma N. Okoye, Jr., 38, of Dallas, Texas, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegally obtaining money using pre-paid debit cards. Okoye was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,379,860. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to use unauthorized access devices on November 9, 2021.

According to evidence introduced in court at the guilty plea hearing, Okoye and his co-defendants used unauthorized access devices, specifically, pre-paid Green Dot debit cards which were registered to other individuals to purchase money orders and conduct cash withdrawals. Between July and September of 2020, Okoye and others traveled from Texas to Bossier City, Louisiana, where the Green Dot cards were used at a Walmart store on Airline Drive in Bossier City.

The funds on the Green Dot cards originated from fraudulently obtained Washington State unemployment insurance and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans which were obtained by unknown individuals. After those funds were deposited into PayPal accounts, unknown individuals transferred funds to the Green Dot cards and the cards were then used at online retailers and various physical retail stores. All of the PayPal accounts and Green Dot cards involved in the scheme had been opened by unknown individuals, using stolen personal identifying information.

The investigation uncovered 29 PayPal accounts which were utilized to fund the Green Dot cards used at the Bossier City Walmart during the conspiracy. These 29 accounts were found to contain a total of $729,300 in illicit funds which were seized.

Okoye’s co-defendants, Patrick N. Madubuko and Barnabas Akporehe, are fugitives.   If you have any information about their whereabouts, please contact your local U.S. Secret Service office or go to www.usmarshals.gov/tips. 

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.

# # #

SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE, La. – Two defendants involved in separate Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) cases were sentenced yesterday on drug charges in the Western District of Louisiana, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. 

Djavious T. Evans, 23, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 120 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  In July 2020, agents with the DEA began an investigation into the trafficking of methamphetamine in the Shreveport area. This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation was named “Operation Lost and Found” and resulted in federal indictments against nine defendants for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Through their investigation, agents learned that Demetrius Loston, Evans and other co-defendants were distributing large amounts of methamphetamine in the Shreveport area.

Law enforcement agents intercepted phone calls between Loston and an unnamed individual wherein they communicated about meeting to pick up methamphetamine at a local gas station. Agents observed Loston’s vehicle travel to the gas station, then to a residence in Shreveport. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was Evans. He had an outstanding warrant for child support and was arrested. During a search of the vehicle, officers found two loaded firearms, and a bag with several bags of methamphetamine inside. Another bag of methamphetamine was found under the radio console, along with 141 ecstasy pills. The narcotics were taken to the crime lab and were determined to have a net weight of 253.6 grams of methamphetamine and the ecstasy pills weighed 30.7 grams.

This case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

Jhailen Zeno, of 27, of Lafayette, Louisiana was sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 85 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin. This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation was named “Operation All Star Millennials” and resulted in a federal indictment against ten defendants for conspiring together to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine in the Morgan City area. Law enforcement agents began an investigation in September 2019 into the drug trafficking activities of Zeno and his co-defendants and learned that Zeno conspired with nine others to acquire and distribute heroin for profit.  During their investigation, Zeno was stopped on two occasions in June 2020 and found to have heroin in his possession, along with a 9mm handgun.  Zeno pleaded guilty on charge on July 7, 2021.

This case was investigated by the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Lafayette Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel and Robert C. Abendroth.

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

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Raymond Hawthorne, Jr., 48, of Abbeville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey to 57 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl. Hawthorne pleaded guilty to the charge on November 4, 2021.

On August 27, 2019, law enforcement officers operating in an undercover capacity made arrangements to purchase fentanyl from Hawthorne. He directed them where to meet to purchase the narcotics. Upon arrival as directed by Hawthorne, his co-defendant provided the purchaser with approximately 25 grams of a mixture containing a detectable amount of fentanyl in exchange for cash. Following the transaction, law enforcement officers observed Hawthorne’s co-defendant drive directly to meet Hawthorne and provide him with the money from the drug transaction.

Hawthorne was previously convicted in 2002 of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and was on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – A Shreveport man was sentenced today on drug trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Timmie Ford, 60, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 120 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Ford pleaded guilty on December 21, 2021 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

Law enforcement officers with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and Shreveport Police Department executed a search warrant on Ford’s home on July 13, 2020. During the search, agents recovered three loaded firearms, along with various rounds of ammunition and high-capacity magazines. Also inside Ford’s home was a bag containing approximately 287 suspected narcotics pills, packaging materials for sale and distribution, and two digital scales.  The pills were chemically analyzed and confirmed that they were comprised of a mixture or substance containing over 50 grams of methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by the FBI, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and Shreveport Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – Latasha Thomas, 44, of Crowley, Texas, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Thomas was sentenced by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 18 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, for making and subscribing a false tax return. Thomas was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $143,611.

Thomas was the owner and operator of Tax Related, LLC and ASAP Tax Service, LLE, both tax preparation businesses located in Shreveport. She was employed as a Revenue Officer with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for two years prior to opening her own tax preparation businesses. She was also the owner of Kidz World Learning Center and Best & Brightest Preschool Center in Shreveport.

Thomas’ primary business was the preparation and electronic filing of individual income tax returns. An investigation by the IRS revealed that Thomas aided and assisted in the preparation of false Forms 1040 for her clients by intentionally creating false Form W-2s to increase the reported income of her clients and she also falsified her personal tax returns. Thomas received the fees for the filing of client’s individual tax returns into business accounts in the name of Tax Related, ASAP Tax and another company owned by Thomas, Diamond Elite Corporation. These accounts were opened and primarily maintained by Thomas. She received but did not report $168,297 in fees in 2016 and $139,736 in fees in 2017. Thomas did not file a business return, nor did she include her business income on her personal tax returns for either tax year. Thomas personally prepared her 2016 and 2017 U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, Forms 1040, which were verified by a written declaration that they were made under penalty of perjury and were purported to be truthful. When in truth and in fact, Thomas made false statements in both returns and the total income was false. In 2016, Thomas only reported total income of $28,202 and failed to report income totaling $168,297 which she received as tax preparation fees, thus making her 2016 taxes due and owing. In 2017, Thomas only reported total income of $17,475 and failed to report income totaling $139,736 which she received as tax preparation fees, thus making her 2017 taxes due and owing.   

As part of her plea agreement, Thomas agreed to be permanently enjoined from preparing, assisting, advising, or counseling in the preparation of, or filing federal tax returns for anyone other than herself. She is also prohibited from maintaining any association with a tax preparation business, instructing, teaching or otherwise training any person in the preparation of federal tax returns.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick.

# # #

United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that four defendants were sentenced today in the Western District of Louisiana on various charges.  Their sentencing information is as follows:

SHREVEPORT, La. - Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Christopher Donta Willis, 46, of Mansfield, Texas, to 264 months (22 years) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking charges.  Willis was charged in February 2019 and pleaded guilty on September 13, 2021 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. During an investigation into drug trafficking activities in the Shreveport/Bossier City area, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information that Willis and another individual were attempting to distribute methamphetamine on January 25, 2019. Later that day, a trooper with the Louisiana State Police (LSP) conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Willis. Once stopped, Willis fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by law enforcement officers and was found to have methamphetamine on his person. Additional methamphetamine was recovered pursuant to a residential search warrant. The drugs that were seized were sent to the crime laboratory for analysis and were confirmed to be methamphetamine. 

The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF and Louisiana State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian C. Flanagan and Earl M. Campbell.

LAFAYETTE, La. - United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the following defendants in Lafayette, Louisiana:

Marquel Devon Robinson, 34, of Lake Arthur, Louisiana, was sentenced to 72 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute heroin.  On February 15, 2019, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the residence of Robinson in Lake Arthur. During the execution of the warrant, officers recovered methamphetamine, heroin, and a heroin-fentanyl mixture along with other drug paraphernalia. The seized narcotics were sent to a laboratory for testing and were determined to contain 168.6 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, 17.1 grams of a mixture and substance containing heroin, and 13.23 grams of a mixture and substance containing heroin and fentanyl. Robinson pleaded guilty to the charge on November 30, 2021.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigation, the Lake Arthur Police Department and Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office and the CAT Team, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.

Isaac J. Fontenot, 23, of Church Point, Louisiana, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for sexual abuse of a minor.  Fontenot was also ordered to register as a sex offender.  In October 2020, when Fontenot was 22 years old, he engaged in sexual relations with a female victim under the age of 15 years old. Fontenot knew that the victim was a minor but continued having sexual relations with her.  He pleaded guilty to the charge on November 30, 2021.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Coushatta Tribal Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.

Clifton Lamar Dodd, 50, a federal inmate, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for mailing a number of hoax letters to United States Senate post office boxes. Dodd was found guilty at his trial in July 2021 by a federal jury in Lafayette.

On May 2, 2016, personnel at the United States Senate mail facility received four suspicious mailed envelopes, each containing a white powdery substance. Each envelope bore a return address of FCI Oakdale, and each listed a different inmate as the purported sender. The United States Capitol Police’s Hazardous Response Unit responded and confirmed that the white powder was merely talcum powder. In addition to the talcum powder, each letter contained a note scrawled in all caps on a small scrap of paper that stated, “MY BOSS MADE ME DO THIS.” On the back of each note was the name of four different inmates, all of which were housed at FCI Oakdale.

U.S. Capitol Police and agents from the FBI and Bureau of Prisons began an investigation into the origin of the letters. Agents interviewed the inmates whose names were listed as senders of the letters and learned that Dodd had sent one of the inmates threatening notes and bragged about getting the inmate removed from the prison yard. FBI submitted the hoax letters to its crime lab for forensic evaluation and found one of Dodd’s fingerprints on the outside of one of the envelopes.

The FBI, Bureau of Prisons, and U.S. Capitol Police conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips prosecuted the case.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – Two men from the Shreveport/Bossier City area have been sentenced by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. in separate cases on child pornography charges, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced.

Daniel Robert Bissell, 55, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 172 months (14 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for receipt of child pornography. Bissell was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $33,000 to victims in the case.

Bissell pleaded guilty on December 6, 2021 to receipt of child pornography as the result of an investigation by the Special Victims Unit with the Louisiana State Police and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Investigators located a suspect IP address which was sharing numerous files of child pornography and obtained information from a cable provider identifying the customer to be Bissell. On July 30, 2020, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Bissell’s residence and found him at the home. He admitted to using software to download to his computer and share files containing child sex abuse material. A forensic examination of Bissell’s computer hard drives revealed that he had approximately 365,523 images and 8,520 videos of child pornography, which included images of prepubescent minors who had not reached the age of 12 and of minors being bound with rope/straps around their ankles, wrists, and necks. The images and videos specifically depicted children under 12 years of age being sexually exploited.

The case was investigated by the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and the Bossier City Marshal’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath.

In a separate case, Johnny Lee Henderson, Jr., 45, of Bossier City, Louisiana, was sentenced to 188 months (15 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Henderson pleaded guilty on December 13, 2021 to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.  

In March 2020, the mother of a 12-year-old female issued a complaint at the local police department in Kansas where the victim lived alleging that her minor daughter had been communicating with an adult male from Shreveport on social media and a cell phone.  The mother claimed that her minor daughter and the adult male had exchanged sexually explicit video clips of each other and engaged in sexually explicit video chats. Detectives with the police department interviewed the minor daughter and she confirmed her mother’s allegations. The minor admitted that from January to March of 2020, she had been communicating with the adult male named “Chuck” Henderson. The communications included social media chat messages, phone conversations, text messages and video chats. The minor told detectives that when she and “Chuck” began communicating, she told him that she was 12 years old.

Detectives obtained search warrants for the social media accounts for “Chuck” and the minor female and examined phone records and logs. They discovered evidence of numerous sexually explicit video clips that were sent to “Chuck” as well as messages from him encouraging and enticing the minor female to produce and send them to him.  Law enforcement agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were able to determine that the phone number and social media accounts belonged to Henderson. The minor victim positively identified Henderson’s picture from his Facebook profile and his voice as the person she knew as “Chuck.” At the time of the offense, Henderson was a registered sex offender in Louisiana as the result of a conviction in 2006 for Sexual Molestation of a Juvenile.

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

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – Dustin Lee Crow, 33, of Noble, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 286 months (23 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.

In July 2019, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported three cybertips to the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations. The cybertips concerned images and videos of child pornography contained on three Twitter accounts belonging to Crow.  The child pornography images which were uploaded contained videos and a still image of a victim under the age of 6. These videos and image were uploaded to Twitter and sent in a direct message to another Twitter account. Agents executed a search warrant at Crow’s house and admitted his involvement in the offenses to law enforcement agents.  Crow pleaded guilty on June 9, 2021 to one count of sexual exploitation of children.

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations Cyber Crime Unit and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and Earl M. Campbell.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that three defendants were sentenced in U.S. District Court yesterday for drug trafficking and firearms violations.

Christopher Antrell Bernard, 43, of Shreveport, was sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 262 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. In addition, Bernard was found guilty of violating his probation and was sentenced to an additional 37 months in prison.  Bernard’s total sentence today was 299 months (24 years, 11 months) in prison.

On May 6, 2020, officers with the Shreveport Police Department initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Bernard and he was the sole occupant of the vehicle. As he exited the vehicle, officers observed a handgun in plain view between the console and driver’s seat. Officers searched Bernard’s vehicle and found individual baggies containing approximately 76 grams of marijuana and a scale. The firearm which was in plain view was found to be a loaded 9mm pistol. At the time of Bernard’s arrest, he was on supervised release after receiving an Executive Grant of Clemency signed by President Barack Obama on January 19, 2017 commuting his sentence. Bernard was previously sentenced in federal court on March 31, 2009 to 240 months in prison for distribution of cocaine.

The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.

In a separate case, Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Bennie Sylvester Epps, 32, of Zwolle, Louisiana, to 66 months (5 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Epps pleaded guilty on December 14, 2021 to one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  

On July 21, 2020, agents with the Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team made a traffic stop on a vehicle for having a shattered windshield. Upon stopping, the driver exited the vehicle and fled the scene and agents were unable to locate him. Moments later, an individual later determined to be Epps, exited from the rear of the same vehicle carrying a black duffel bag and fled. During the pursuit, Epps tossed the bag as he ran but he was soon apprehended. The duffel bag was recovered and found to contain marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. Agents also recovered a loaded handgun near the bag.

The case was investigated by the ATF and Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team and prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown.

In another case, United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced Nicholas J. Bryant, 21, of Shreveport, to 46 months (3 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release. Bryant pleaded guilty on January 19, 2022 to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Following a July 4, 2021 shooting, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms (ATF) Task Force located Bryant and read him his Miranda warnings. In questioning him following the arrest, Bryant admitted to agents that he had a gun his car. Agents searched the vehicle and found a 9mm pistol with an extended magazine containing 25 rounds of ammunition. Bryant was previously convicted of domestic abuse battery in the First Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish, Louisiana in 2021. This conviction prohibited Bryant from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Marty T. Johnson and Keesha Dinkins were both sentenced today by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter in connection with a healthcare fraud and wire fraud scheme they were involved in.

Johnson, 59, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release. Dinkins, 45, of Bossier City, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release. In addition, Johnson and Dinkins were ordered to jointly pay restitution in the amount of $3,500,000.

On October 26, 2021, Johnson and Dinkins each entered guilty pleas in connection with the case. Johnson pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information charging him with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud. Dinkins pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information charging her with misprision of a felony charge of healthcare fraud. Johnson and Dinkins each admitted to defrauding the Medicaid Program out of $3.5 million.

According to information presented to the court, Johnson owned and operated Positive Change Counseling Agency (Positive Change) located in Shreveport, Louisiana, from January 2013 to January 2018. Keesha Dinkins was a manager and supervisor at Positive Change. Positive Change provided mental health rehabilitation and related services to Medicaid beneficiaries in the Caddo and Bossier Parish areas. From 2014 to January 2018, Johnson submitted and caused to be submitted fraudulent claims for mental health rehabilitation and non-emergency transportation services on behalf of Positive Change. Dinkins knew that Johnson submitted these fraudulent claims which she and Johnson both knew were not performed or rendered. These fraudulent claims resulted in Positive Change receiving payments from Medicaid to which it was not entitled. 

Johnson admitted to paying individuals money to enroll with Positive Change, increasing the capacity for Positive Change to bill Medicaid for services that were not rendered. Johnson instructed employees, and Dinkins supervised those employees, at Positive Change to create false client files to conceal from Medicaid and insurance company auditors and inspectors that it had not performed the services related to its previously submitted claims which had already been reimbursed by Medicaid. In order to create these false client files, sections from different client documents were physically cut to create inserts which were glued into blank client log templates. These templates with the glued inserts were then photocopied to create the appearance of legitimate documents. Johnson and Dinkins supervised and knowingly and willfully instructed the employees that were creating these false client files to place the false and fictitious photocopied, cut and pasted, documents into the client files.  Johnson and Dinkins knew that these false client files were used to conceal from Medicaid officials that Positive Change did not render the services in the claims submitted by it and paid by Medicaid.

In addition, Johnson knowingly caused Positive Change to use Medicaid recipients’ names and identification information without their knowledge or consent to submit fraudulent claims for mental health rehabilitation and non-emergency transportation.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services–Office of Inspector General, Louisiana State Attorney General’s Office-Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.

If you have any information pertaining to this or any other type of Medicaid fraud, please contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services–Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or the Louisiana Medicaid Fraud Hotline at 1-800-488-2917.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Cortez L. Brown, 33, of Haynesville, Louisiana, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on numerous charges, including threatening to unlawfully damage and destroy buildings in Sarepta and Springhill, Louisiana. Brown is charged in the indictment with four counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft of government money, and five counts of making explosive threats.

On March 27, 2020 the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act which was meant to mitigate the economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and created the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program.  The FPUC program was intended to increase benefits for individuals who were unemployed and gave them an extra $600 each week in addition to their regular unemployment benefits.  The FPUC program was administered by the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC).

The indictment alleges that on or about May 10, 2020 Brown applied for unemployment benefits to the LWC through its online portal and in his application falsely stated that he was “not working” when in truth and in fact, he was employed and receiving wages from two jobs.  The LWC approved Brown’s application and issued a debit card for the unemployment benefits to him.

The indictment further alleges that Brown used the debit card, which was funded with unemployment benefits, to purchase, among other things, a cellular telephone which he used to send bomb threats to his employers, a factory in Sarepta, and a restaurant in Springhill.

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

If convicted, Brown faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the wire fraud counts, not more than 10 years in prison on the theft of government money and explosive threat counts, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, Louisiana Workforce Commission, Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office and Springhill Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging three individuals with drug conspiracy and firearm charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.

Martin William Thompson, 51, of Stonewall, Louisiana, Rachel Ann Hassell, 44, and Courtney Renee Cox, 38, both of Shreveport, have each been indicted and charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury. Thompson and Hassell were also both charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and using or maintaining drug premises. In addition, Thompson was charged with two counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The indictment alleges that from January 2021 and continuing until October 2021, all three defendants conspired together to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, and death and serious bodily injury resulted from the use of fentanyl.  

The indictment also alleges that in October 2021, Thompson and Hassell knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute heroin.  It is further alleged that Thompson and Hassell unlawfully and knowingly used and maintained a place located at 2911 Williamson Way, Shreveport, Louisiana, for the purpose of distributing and using fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana. The firearm charges in the indictment allege that in October 2021, Thompson possessed numerous firearms and silencers in furtherance of the drug trafficking crimes.

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

If convicted, these defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison, on the conspiracy charge. Thompson and Hassell face up to 20 years in prison on the drug possession and using or maintaining drug premises charges, and fines of not more than $10,000,000. The firearms charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in prison.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. – Two men from the Lake Charles, Louisiana area were sentenced today in the U.S. District Court, on firearms charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.  United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the two individuals as follows:

Nathan Allen Boutte, 32, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On June 27, 2020, officers with the Lake Charles Police Department received a complaint that an individual had exited a vehicle with a firearm and approached the complainant’s apartment carrying the weapon. Upon arrival at the scene, officers located the subject and determined it to be Boutte. He was sitting in front of the apartment and officers noticed the odor of PCP emitting from his person and observed his speech was slurred and he appeared to be incoherent and seemed confused. Officers located an AR style rifle nearby and found that it had been modified by the barrel having been cut down and made shorter. Officers learned that Boutte had prior felony convictions and took him into custody. After a period of approximately eight hours had passed and he was sobered up and coherent, officers questioned Boutte about the incident. He admitted to possessing the firearm even though he knew he was prohibited from doing so.  Boutte has prior felony convictions for possession of controlled substances and simple criminal damage to property.

This case was investigated by the ATF and Lake Charles Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

Nicholas Ryan, 37, of Sulphur, Louisiana, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.  On July 7, 2020, a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for several traffic violations. The vehicle refused to stop and during the pursuit that followed, the deputy observed an object being thrown from the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was eventually stopped, and Ryan was identified as the driver.  Ryan and a passenger in the vehicle were detained while the deputy searched the area where the object was thrown from the vehicle. The deputy located a Glock 9mm pistol in that area and Ryan admitted that it was his and he had thrown it from the vehicle.  Ryan has a prior felony conviction for aggravated second degree battery (2011) prohibiting him from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

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

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that three defendants  have been sentenced in U.S. District Court in Lafayette, Louisiana, on drug and firearms charges.

Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced two of the defendants as follows:

Desmond Francois, 32, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On May 11, 2017, officers with the Lafayette Police Department initiated a bus interdiction at the Greyhound Bus Station located in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. Law enforcement officers boarded the bus and identified themselves and told the passengers the purpose of their stop. While searching the bus, officers observed that on row 6, there were two black backpacks on the floor, a silver purse, and a gray hoodie and phone on the seat. Directly above that seat was a red and black plaid bag. When all passengers re-boarded the bus and returned to their seats, row 6 remained empty. Officers asked all passengers if the items belong to anyone present and none claimed them. However, one of the passengers told the officer that he saw the male and female from row 6 run when they saw law enforcement boarding the bus. The male was later identified as Francois. Inside the backpack from row 6 was approximately ten kilograms of cocaine and a Greyhound bus ticket for passenger Desmond Francois. Further investigation confirmed that Francois was associated with a drug trafficking organization in the Houston area that has a history of drug trafficking in Louisiana.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Lafayette Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

Lionel Hill, Jr., 41, of Port Arthur, Texas, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking charges.  Officers with the New Iberia Police Department stopped a vehicle being driven by Hill on May 6, 2021 for a traffic violation. Hill consented to a search of his person and officers located 50.6 grams of a substance containing fentanyl and 28.7 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine. Hill admitted to officers that he possessed the narcotics with the intent to distribute them. Lab reports later confirmed that the substance contained a detectable amount of fentanyl. On October 21, 2021, Hill pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute over 40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide, a Schedule II narcotic controlled substance.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Iberia Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Jacob Wilson Zirlott, 39, of Franklin, Louisiana, to 70 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On June 19, 2017, officers with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Zirlott’s residence. During their search, deputies located an AR-15 firearm in the living room, along with several magazines located next to the firearm and drug paraphernalia. Zirlott admitted that the gun belonged to him even though he was a convicted felon and knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm. Zirlott has prior felony convictions for robbery in Florida (1999) and aggravated second degree battery in Louisiana (2010).

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.

# # #

SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two defendants have been sentenced on federal charges in the Western District of Louisiana.

Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced David Williams, 51, of Shreveport, to 110 months (9 years, 2 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Williams was charged with eight other defendants in a drug trafficking conspiracy. On September 19, 2019, law enforcement agents investigating the case were conducting a wiretap on the phone of one of Williams’ co-defendants. During the call, Williams agreed to meet the co-defendant at a gas station and park in the back. Agents observed Williams arrive and get into the co-defendant’s vehicle for a short time. A trooper with Louisiana State Police conducted a traffic stop of Williams’ vehicle. Inside the vehicle, agents located a hidden compartment under the center console and inside were two plastic baggies containing methamphetamine with a gross weight of 89.7 grams and a small bag of marijuana. Agents intercepted another call on September 24, 2019 wherein Williams informed his co-defendant that he had been caught with the narcotics. Williams pleaded guilty to the charge on March 30, 2021.

This case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Greenwood Police Department, and Louisiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tennille Gilreath and Allison Duncan.

In Lafayette, Louisiana, United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Keelan Elaire, 25, of Lafayette, to 75 months (6 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of controlled substances. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Lafayette Narcotics Unit began an investigation into drug trafficking activities in Lafayette. On September 30, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Elaire’s residence and inside the residence found a 9mm pistol and ammunition. In addition, agents found approximately 30 grams of fentanyl packaged in small baggies in a manner consistent with street-level narcotics sales, and a large amount of cash inside vehicles belonging to Elaire and his girlfriend. A second search warrant was executed at another residence where Elaire lived and agents found approximately 650 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl, three m-30 pills believed to contain fentanyl stamped into counterfeit pills, and a money counter. Elaire admitted to agents that the fentanyl and cash belonged to him.

The case was investigated by the DEA and Lafayette Police Department Narcotics Unit and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert C. Abendroth and John W. Nickel.

# # #

SHREVEPORT/MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that four defendants have been sentenced in U.S. District Court in connection with three separate cases.  The defendants and their sentences are as follows:

Schyler Algernon Smith and Ladarrell Cortrell Washington, both of Shreveport, Louisiana, have been sentenced by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. on drug trafficking charges.  Smith, 33, was sentenced to 262 months (21 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Washington, 41, was sentenced to 63 months (5 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine.

Smith pleaded guilty on October 21, 2021 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Washington pleaded guilty on August 17, 2021 to distribution of methamphetamine. The charges in this case stem from an investigation by agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). On February 7, 2019, agents conducted surveillance of Washington as he met his suspected source of supply of narcotics, who was later determined to be Smith. Through their investigation, agents were able to prove that the package delivered to Washington by Smith and later sold to another individual, contained 500 MDMA tablets. Those tablets were sent to the DEA Criminalistics Laboratory and determined to be 102.9 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.

Billy Ray Murphy, Jr., 37, of Shreveport, was sentenced by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 151 months (12 years, 7 month), followed by 5 years of supervised release. Murphy was indicted and pleaded guilty on December 2, 2021 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On April 18, 2021, a Louisiana State Police trooper conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Murphy. When Murphy opened the glove box to retrieve the vehicle paperwork, the trooper observed a handgun in the glove box. Murphy told the trooper that the firearm belonged to his girlfriend and gave consent to search the vehicle. Inside the trunk, troopers found 2.37 pounds of cocaine, 19.9 pounds of MDMA (more than 60,000 pills), and 21.5 pounds of synthetic marijuana. The MDMA was tested and found to contain methamphetamine. In addition, Murphy had four cell phones, a scale and a large amount of cash in the vehicle.

The case was investigated by the DEA and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

Jeremy Michael Davis, 37, of Monroe, Louisiana was sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 196 months (16 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 5 years supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Davis and his co-defendants. Through their investigation, they learned that beginning in October 2018 and continuing through March 2020, Davis conspired with three other individuals to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. On November 7, 2019, agents were able to intercept a phone call with Davis wherein he discussed the purchase price and sale of methamphetamine.  Agents then conducted surveillance and confirmed Davis’ participation in the sale of methamphetamine.  Agents ultimately seized the narcotics, and it was tested and confirmed to contain 88.6 grams of actual methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.

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

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Helen Godfrey-Smith, 72, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for making and using a false document. Judge Foote sentenced Godfrey-Smith to one year of probation and she was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000.

According to information presented at Godfrey-Smith’s guilty plea hearing, she was employed by the Shreveport Federal Credit Union (SFCU) from 1983 to 2017 and during much of that time was employed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SFCU. The SFCU was a Shreveport, Louisiana based financial institution under the regulation of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

In October 2016, the SFCU, through Godfrey-Smith, entered into an agreement with the United States Department of the Treasury to buy back certain securities that were part of the Department’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). As part of that process, on December 27, 2016, Godfrey-Smith signed and submitted to the United States Department of the Treasury an Officer’s Certificate which certified that all conditions precedent to the closing had been satisfied.

In reality, SFCU had not met all conditions precedent to closing and had suffered a material adverse effect. Unbeknownst to the United States Department of the Treasury and the NCUA, SFCU was in a financial crisis. From 2015 through 2017, another individual who was the Chief Financial Officer of SFCU (Individual 1), had been falsifying call reports to the NCUA which included millions of dollars in fictitious fee income. In addition, she was creating fictitious entries in the banks records to support the false call reports. This created the illusion that SFCU was profitable when, in fact, the bank was failing. In addition, Individual 1, embezzled approximately $1.5 million from the credit union.

By the time Godfrey-Smith signed the Officer's Statement, she had become aware of deficiencies at the credit union. Specifically, she had recently investigated and discovered that there were millions of dollars of fictitious entries on SFCU's general ledger, and the credit union's books were not balanced. However, she failed to disclose this information to the United States Department of the Treasury and signed the false Officer’s Statement.

In the Spring of 2017, the institution failed. It was taken over by regulators from the NCUA and placed into a conservatorship. An investigation by the NCUA revealed that SFCU had amassed in excess of $10 million in losses by December 2016.

This case was investigated by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Department of Treasury–Office of Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has announced the appointment of U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown of the Western District of Louisiana to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys (AGAC). The AGAC was created in 1973 and advises the Attorney General on matters of policy, procedure, and management impacting the Offices of the U.S. Attorneys and elevates the voices of U.S. Attorneys in Department policies. Brown, along with 11 other U.S. Attorneys from around the United States, will serve on the AGAC. The first meeting of the AGAC will take place later this spring.

U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown of the Western District of Louisiana was confirmed by the Senate in December 2021. From 2007 to 2012, Brown served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s Office. He was also an associate at Hammonds, Sills, Adkins & Guice LLP in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Since 2012, he has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. Brown earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2002 and a Master of Business Administration in 2004 from Louisiana Tech University, followed by a Juris Doctor in 2007 from the Southern University Law Center.

Other appointees include U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York; U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung for the Western District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee for the District of Maine; U.S. Attorney Trini Ross for the Western District of New York; U.S. Attorney Sandra Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina; U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan; U.S. Attorney Gregory Harris for the Central District of Illinois; U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota; U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona; U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado; and U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. An appointee from a district within the jurisdiction of the Eleventh Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals will be announced at a later date, once the Senate has confirmed nominees. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams will serve as the Chair of the AGAC, and U.S. Attorney Cindy Chung will serve as the Vice Chair.

“These United States Attorneys will represent the views of dedicated federal prosecutors across the country, and provide advice and insight into essential matters facing the Department,” said Attorney General Garland. “I look forward to working alongside them in carrying out the Department’s core priorities of upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting civil rights.”

“It is an honor to have been selected to serve on this committee with my fellow U.S. Attorneys from around the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “I take this appointment very seriously and am excited to begin the work of addressing matters and issues affecting the hard work that the men and women of the U.S. Attorney’s Office do every day to uphold the laws of the Constitution of the United States.”

# # #