Western District of Louisiana

SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/MONROE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that the Western District of Louisiana collected $4,849,432 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2018.  Of this amount, $4,169,901 was collected in criminal actions and 679,530 was collected in civil actions.  

Additionally, the Western District of Louisiana worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $83,116,403 in cases pursued jointly by these offices.  Of this amount, $3,270 was collected in criminal actions and $83,113,133 was collected in civil actions. The district also handled $87,605 in asset forfeiture actions during FY 2018.             

“I want to thank our staff in our civil and criminal divisions for their hard work on these cases and collecting monies owed to the United States and crime victims,” Joseph stated. “We will continue to work on a daily basis to locate and collect any and all money owed to taxpayers and to those whose lives have been impacted by crime. 

The civil recoveries in the Western District of Louisiana include $82,319,000 in civil penalties for CITGO Petroleum Corporation’s gross negligence in discharging 2.2 million gallons of oil into U.S. waterways in violation of the Clean Water Act.  Additionally, the District received $362,961 in restitution to be paid to the Internal Revenue Service from defendant Gary Scott in June of 2018. Scott was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced in 2013.           

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

As a whole, the Justice Department collected nearly $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2018.  The $14,839,821,650 in collections in FY 2018 represents is nearly seven times the appropriated $2.13 billion ($2,136,750,000) budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices.

“The men and women of the U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country work diligently, day in and day out, to see that the citizens of our nation receive justice,” said Director James A. Crowell, IV, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys. “The money that we are able to recover for victims and this country as a whole is a direct result of their hard work.”

The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws.  In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Internal Revenue Service, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Bryan Thomas Robinson, 38, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced.

According to the guilty plea, Shreveport Police stopped Robinson’s vehicle on October 28, 2017 on Linwood Avenue.  Police searched his vehicle and found a blue bag with approximately 49 grams of marijuana, pills, a digital scale, additional plastic baggies and a Hi Point .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun in a cooler in the trunk of the vehicle. Robinson is also a felon who was convicted on February 25, 2013 of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I controlled substance, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm under federal law.

Robinson faces up to 10 years in prison for possession of a firearm by a felon and not less than five years in prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  He also faces three to five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.  

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

The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields is prosecuting the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Mack Warner, 39, of North Silsbee, Texas, pleaded guilty today guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of escape from custody while at a federal detention area in Lake Charles. 

According to the guilty plea, Mack was a resident at the CINC II Halfway House in Lake Charles serving a sentence for charges from the Eastern District of Texas.  His release date was December 15, 2018, but he left the facility without permission on October 25, 2018.  He remained absent from the facility until his arrest on December 12, 2018 in Silsbee, Texas.

Warner was convicted on April 10, 2014 in the Eastern District of Texas of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to five years in prison followed by four years of supervised release.  On January 12, 2018, Warner admitted to violating his supervised release and was sentenced to 14 months in prison. He reported to the halfway house on September 17, 2018.

Warner faces five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for June 13, 2019.

The U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Harden County Sheriff’s Office and Beaumont Police Department in Texas conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Demyia S. Porter, 39, of Canton, Mississippi, pleaded guilty last week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.  The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote.

On August 20, 2018, a Louisiana State trooper initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 20 in Webster Parish on a vehicle driven by Porter, according to the guilty plea.  After questioning Porter and the passenger of the vehicle, Naquita N. Graves, also of Canton, Mississippi, the trooper obtained consent by Porter to search the vehicle.  He found $2,647 in Graves’ purse and approximately 10 kilograms of suspected cocaine in a suitcase in the trunk of the car.  Graves and Porter admitted to traveling to Dallas to pick up the illegal drugs for a third unnamed individual.

The defendants face 10 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a $10 million fine.  Graves pleaded guilty on February 7, 2019 to the same charge.  The sentencing date for both defendants is June 14, 2019.

The DEA and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth D. Reeg and Jessica D. Cassidy are prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Andres Garcia-Mora, 32, of Mexico, pleaded guilty today before Chief Judge Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of re-entry of a removed alien, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced.  

According to the guilty plea, Louisiana State Police arrested Garcia-Mora in Bossier Parish.  Homeland Security Investigations discovered that Garcia-Mora was an illegal alien who had been removed from the United States six times between 2009 and 2016.  During that time, Garcia-Mora used at least eight aliases in his attempts to enter the United States.  The last removal took place on December 30, 2016 near Del Rio, Texas.  Garci-Mora has three federal convictions for immigration offenses.

Garcia-Mora faces two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.  Hicks set the sentencing for May 30, 2019.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Marvin Ray Loucious, 54, of Many, Louisiana, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced.

According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents observed Loucious selling 5 grams of methamphetamine on July 20, 2018 and 6 grams on July 23, 2018 from his home. Agents executed a search warrant at his home on August 10, 2018 and found 160 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, plastic baggies and approximately 100 glass smoking pipes.  Agents also recovered 55 firearms, with the following five weapons being in close proximity to the methamphetamine: a Glock 32, .357-caliber SIG handgun, a Ruger P90, .45-caliber ACP handgun, a Taurus, TCP, .380-caliber handgun, a Davis Industries, Model DM-22, .22-caliber, 2-shot derringer handgun, and a Century Arms, Catamount Fury, 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun. 

Loucious faces up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a $5 million fine.  Judge Foote set the sentencing date for June 18, 2019.

The DEA and the Tri-Parish Drug Task Force (DeSoto, Sabine and Red River parishes) conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Illegal alien and felon Shandy Salgado-Almendaris, 39, of Mexico, pleaded guilty today before Chief Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of re-entry of a removed alien and one count of felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced.  

According to the guilty plea, Bossier Parish Narcotics Task Force agents encountered Salgado-Almendaris on August 9, 2018 at his Benton, Louisiana, residence. Agents discovered a Rohm GmbH (RG Industries), Model: RG-14, .22-caliber revolver in the master bedroom area.  Agents seized the firearm and arrested Salgado-Almendaris. He was later found to be an illegal alien who had been previously removed from the United States three times - September 30, 2010, November 10, 2010, and September 12, 2013 in Texas and Louisiana.  The defendant is also a felon who was convicted of possession of cocaine in 2003.

Salgado-Almendaris faces 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each count.  Hicks set the sentencing date for May 30, 2019.

United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Bossier Parish Narcotics Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Eric Charles Means, 33, of Benton, Louisiana, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Chief Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced.

According to the guilty plea, law enforcement officers with the DEA encountered Means on January 24, 2018 in a vehicle in the parking lot of a hotel on Industrial Drive in Bossier City, Louisiana.  Inside the vehicle were plastic baggies containing 12.6 grams of methamphetamine and two firearms in a duffel bag on the front passenger seat.  Means admitted to distributing methamphetamine and that he possessed the firearms for his protection while distributing the drugs.  The two firearms confiscated from the duffel bag were a Smith & Wesson .357-caliber pistol and a Glock .45-caliber pistol, along with ammunition.

Means faces up to 40 years in prison for methamphetamine distribution and at least five years in prison for firearms possession.  He also faces five years of supervised release and a $5 million fine.  The court set the sentencing date for May 23, 2019.

The DEA and ATF conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Two Texas men were sentenced to 63 months in prison today for trafficking more than 10 kilograms fentanyl through Louisiana, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced.

Felipe Rodriguez, 22, of McAllen, Texas, and Brandon Montoya, 24, of Kaufman, Texas, were sentenced by Elizabeth E. Foote for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.  They were also sentenced to five years of supervised release.

According to the guilty plea, a Louisiana State Police trooper stopped a vehicle on May 10, 2018 traveling on Interstate-20 eastbound in which Felipe Rodriguez was the driver and Brandon Montoya was the passenger.  During a search of the vehicle, 10 one-kilogram packages containing pure fentanyl and a fentanyl derivative were found.  Rodriguez and Montoya told agents they were approached in Mexico about work, asked to drive to California to obtain the drugs and then take the drugs to Atlanta, Georgia, where they would be paid for the delivery.  The defendants understood that the work they were asked to do meant transporting the deadly narcotics.  Both defendants pleaded guilty on September 13, 2018.

“The seizure of these drugs and the prosecution of these defendants is part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing fight against fentanyl and other deadly opioids,” Joseph stated.  “These drugs are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States -- more than even car accidents.  This case alone involved enough fentanyl to kill every person in the state of Louisiana.  I want to thank the dedicated law enforcement agents and prosecutor for the arrest and conviction of these defendants.”

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients, applied in a patch on the skin. Because of its powerful opioid properties, fentanyl is also diverted for abuse. Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency or be disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl, which often results in overdose deaths. Clandestinely-produced fentanyl is primarily manufactured in Mexico.  For more information about fentanyl, visit www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl.

The DEA, Homeland Security Investigations and Louisiana State Police investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields prosecuted the case.

The Honorable Judge Elizabeth Foote, of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, sentenced defendant Codi Dodge, 35, the former Deputy Chief of Investigations for the St. Martinville Police Department (SMPD), to serve nine years in prison on four felony counts related to his abuse of an arrestee. Dodge was convicted at trial in November on charges of violating the civil rights of an arrestee by using excessive force against him, and of obstructing justice and conspiring with others to do so.

“Illegal conduct by officers who abuse their power and violate the civil rights of the citizens they promise to serve harms the public trust and will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Department will continue to vigorously enforce our nation’s laws and hold officers who break the law accountable.”

“Law enforcement officers are sworn to uphold and defend the laws of our nation,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. “When they themselves break those laws, they violate not just the rights of their victims, but also compromise the public's trust in law enforcement. This case is a prime example of my commitment to hold accountable officers who threaten the mission of law enforcement by breaking the law.”

After five days of trial, a jury convicted Dodge of using excessive force on an arrestee, resulting in bodily injury to the arrestee.  Evidence presented at trial established that, on Aug. 13, 2016, Dodge forced entry into the home of an individual he suspected had stolen from him, and then threatened the individual before striking him in the face with a firearm. Dodge then arrested the individual, took him to the St. Martinville Police Department, and continued to threaten him.  Later, after learning that the incident had been reported to the FBI, Dodge conspired with other members of the SMPD to falsify reports regarding the incident, and to mislead the FBI in its investigation of the matter.  Based on this evidence, the jury also convicted Dodge of obstruction of justice and conspiracy. 

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Lafayette, Louisiana, Resident Agency. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Bobbi Bernstein and Trial Attorney Tim Visser of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker of the Western District of Louisiana. Trial Attorney Risa Berkower of the Civil Rights Division participated in the investigation of the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – The Honorable Judge Elizabeth Foote, of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, sentenced defendant Codi Dodge, 35, the former Deputy Chief of Investigations for the St. Martinville Police Department (SMPD), Thursday to serve nine years in prison on four felony counts related to his abuse of an arrestee. Dodge was convicted at trial in November on charges of violating the civil rights of an arrestee by using excessive force against him, and of obstructing justice and conspiring with others to do so.

 “Illegal conduct by officers who abuse their power and violate the civil rights of the citizens they promise to serve harms the public trust and will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Department will continue to vigorously enforce our nation’s laws and hold officers who break the law accountable.”

“Law enforcement officers are sworn to uphold and defend the laws of our nation,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. “When they themselves break those laws, they violate not just the rights of their victims, but also compromise the public's trust in law enforcement.  This case is a prime example of my commitment to hold accountable officers who threaten the mission of law enforcement by breaking the law.”

After five days of trial, a jury convicted Dodge of using excessive force on an arrestee, resulting in bodily injury to the arrestee.  Evidence presented at trial established that, on Aug. 13, 2016, Dodge forced entry into the home of an individual he suspected had stolen from him, and then threatened the individual before striking him in the face with a firearm. Dodge then arrested the individual, took him to the SMPD, and continued to threaten him.  Later, after learning that the incident had been reported to the FBI, Dodge conspired with other members of the SMPD to falsify reports regarding the incident, and to mislead the FBI in its investigation of the matter.  Based on this evidence, the jury also convicted Dodge of obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Lafayette, Louisiana, Resident Agency. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Bobbi Bernstein and Trial Attorney Tim Visser of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker of the Western District of Louisiana. Trial Attorney Risa Berkower of the Civil Rights Division participated in the investigation of the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Interorient Marine Services Limited, a vessel operating company, was convicted and sentenced yesterday in the Western District of Louisiana, for maintaining false and incomplete records relating to the discharge of oil from the tank vessel Ridgebury Alexandra Z, announced Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Environment and Natural Resources Division and United States Attorney David C. Joseph for the Western District of Louisiana.

Interorient Marine Services Limited admitted that oil cargo residues and oily bilge water were illegally dumped from the Ridgebury Alexandra Z directly into the ocean without being properly processed through required pollution prevention equipment. The company also admitted that false entries were made in the vessel’s Oil Record Book to conceal the illegal dumping. Specifically, senior ship officers employed by Interorient Marine Services Limited discharged oily waste into the ocean by flushing the vessel’s pollution prevention equipment sensor with fresh water. This flushing of the sensor tricked the system into detecting a much lower effluent oil content than what was actually being discharged. These senior officers then falsified the vessel’s Oil Record Book, recording that 87,705 gallons of oily wastewater had been discharged properly through the pollution prevention equipment, when in fact they knew that this pollution prevention equipment had been tampered with.

“By illegally dumping oily waste into the ocean, Interorient intentionally violated federal law that protects valuable marine resources and wildlife,” said Assistant Attorney General Clark. “This conviction shows that corporations and individuals that willfully flout our nation’s environmental laws will be held accountable by criminal prosecution.”

“My office is charged with enforcing federal and international laws designed to protect our oceans from pollutants carried by commercial vessels,” U.S. Attorney Joseph stated.  “Tankers are required to offload their waste oil at disposal facilities at ports and not into the Gulf of Mexico.  This case should serve as a deterrent to other individuals and companies that ignore our laws, pollute our waters, and damage our environment.”

“The Coast Guard takes its responsibilities to protect the marine environment seriously,” said U.S. Coast Guard Commander Daniel H. Cost, CO of Marine Safety Unite Lake Charles.  “When potential criminal violations of our nation's pollution laws are identified, we work closely with the Department of Justice to ensure any illegal activities are prosecuted to the fullest extent of law.”

Interorient Marine Services Limited pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, 33 U.S.C. § 1908(a), for failing to accurately maintain the Ridgebury Alexandra Z’s Oil Record Book. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the company will pay a total fine of $2 million and serve a 4-year term of probation, during which all vessels operated by the company and calling on U.S. ports will be required to implement a robust Environmental Compliance Plan.

The vessel’s captain, Vjaceslavs Birzakovs, was charged in a six-count indictment by a Grand Jury in the Western District of Louisiana on November 29, 2018, for his involvement in this case. The indictment alleges that Birzakovs directed circumvention of the vessel’s pollution prevention equipment, falsified records, obstructed justice, made false statements, and conspired with other crewmembers to falsify the vessel’s Oil Record Book and to obstruct the U.S. Coast Guard’s enforcement of the law in conjunction with the illegal discharges from the Ridgebury Alexandra Z. The charges and allegations contained in Birzakovs’ indictment are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles, and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Stephen Da Ponte of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana.

Interorient Marine Services Limited, a vessel operating company, was convicted and sentenced yesterday in the Western District of Louisiana, for maintaining false and incomplete records relating to the discharge of oil from the tank vessel Ridgebury Alexandra Z, announced Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Environment and Natural Resources Division and United States Attorney David C. Joseph for the Western District of Louisiana.

Interorient Marine Services Limited admitted that oil cargo residues and oily bilge water were illegally dumped from the Ridgebury Alexandra Z directly into the ocean without being properly processed through required pollution prevention equipment. The company also admitted that false entries were made in the vessel’s Oil Record Book to conceal the illegal dumping. Specifically, senior ship officers employed by Interorient Marine Services Limited discharged oily waste into the ocean by flushing the vessel’s pollution prevention equipment sensor with fresh water. This flushing of the sensor tricked the system into detecting a much lower effluent oil content than what was actually being discharged. These senior officers then falsified the vessel’s Oil Record Book, recording that 87,705 gallons of oily wastewater had been discharged properly through the pollution prevention equipment, when in fact they knew that this pollution prevention equipment had been tampered with.

“By illegally dumping oily waste into the ocean, Interorient intentionally violated federal law that protects valuable marine resources and wildlife,” said Assistant Attorney General Clark. “This conviction shows that corporations and individuals that willfully flout our nation’s environmental laws will be held accountable by criminal prosecution.”

“My office is charged with enforcing federal and international laws designed to protect our oceans from pollutants carried by commercial vessels,” U.S. Attorney Joseph stated.  “Tankers are required to offload their waste oil at disposal facilities at ports and not into the Gulf of Mexico.  This case should serve as a deterrent to other individuals and companies that ignore our laws, pollute our waters, and damage our environment.”

“The Coast Guard takes its responsibilities to protect the marine environment seriously,” said U.S. Coast Guard Commander Daniel H. Cost, CO of Marine Safety Unite Lake Charles.  “When potential criminal violations of our nation's pollution laws are identified, we work closely with the Department of Justice to ensure any illegal activities are prosecuted to the fullest extent of law.”

Interorient Marine Services Limited pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, 33 U.S.C. § 1908(a), for failing to accurately maintain the Ridgebury Alexandra Z’s Oil Record Book. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the company will pay a total fine of $2 million and serve a 4-year term of probation, during which all vessels operated by the company and calling on U.S. ports will be required to implement a robust Environmental Compliance Plan.

The vessel’s captain, Vjaceslavs Birzakovs, was charged in a six-count indictment by a Grand Jury in the Western District of Louisiana on Nov. 29, 2018, for his involvement in this case. The indictment alleges that Birzakovs directed circumvention of the vessel’s pollution prevention equipment, falsified records, obstructed justice, made false statements, and conspired with other crewmembers to falsify the vessel’s Oil Record Book and to obstruct the U.S. Coast Guard’s enforcement of the law in conjunction with the illegal discharges from the Ridgebury Alexandra Z. The charges and allegations contained in Birzakovs’ indictment are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles, and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Stephen Da Ponte of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana.

SHREVEPORT, La. – U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment yesterday afternoon charging Glenn Frierson, 38, of Shreveport, with felon in possession of a firearm, possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Local authorities arrested Frierson on January 15, 2019, in connection with the death of Shreveport Police Officer Chateri Payne.

According to the indictment, Frierson possessed a Smith & Wesson, model SD40, .40-caliber pistol, ammunition and methamphetamine on May 3, 2018.  The indictment also alleges that Frierson possessed the Smith & Wesson in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime related to the methamphetamine possession charge.  Frierson is a convicted felon and under federal law, it is illegal for him to possess a firearm or ammunition.

If convicted, the defendant faces 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, 20 years in prison for the drug distribution and 20 years in prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He also faces five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 million.

The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cadesby B. Cooper is prosecuting the case.

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

SHREVEPORT, La. – Roderick Charles Scott, 43, of Shreveport, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to three years and 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. 

Shreveport police responded to a shooting on June 23, 2017 in the Hollywood area and observed Scott entering a home on Miles Street, according to the guilty plea.  When Scott exited the house, he had a Rossi .38 special caliber revolver clenched in his right hand.  Police officers confiscated the gun and arrested Scott.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.  In 2004, Scott was convicted in the Western District of Louisiana for being a felon in possession of ammunition. Roderick Scott was indicted on June 27, 2018 and pleaded guilty on October 11, 2018. 

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

The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Crawford is prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Michael Roy Reed, 44, of Keithville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced.

Shreveport Police received a call on January 23, 2018 from a concerned citizen about a Colt, Model: Mustang XSP, .380-caliber pistol, according to the guilty plea. The caller informed the police that he had received the firearm from Reed as payment for performing work on Reed’s truck.  After investigating the matter further, police officers learned that the weapon was previously reported stolen and that Reed was a convicted felon.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.  Reed was convicted in Ouachita Parish on July 8, 2013 for illegal possession of stolen things, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Reed was indicted September 27, 2018.

Michael Reed faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for June 14, 2019.

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

The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and Allison D. Bushnell are prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Joseph Seth Rivers, 36, of Converse, Louisiana, was sentenced Monday to five years and four months in prison by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. for possession of firearms by a convicted felon.  He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release following imprisonment.

According to the July 10, 2018 guilty plea, Rivers pawned four firearms at a pawnshop in Many, Louisiana on August 20, 2016: a Smith & Wesson revolver, model: 66, .357 caliber; a Ruger rifle, model: 10-22, 22LR caliber; a Browning shotgun, model BPS, 16 gauge; and a Remington rifle, model: 700, .270 caliber.  According to store policy, a photo license or identification card must be presented by the person pawning the firearms.  Rivers’ name, address and Louisiana driver’s license number matched the information included on the pawn ticket for these four firearms.  Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.  In 2009, Rivers was convicted for aggravated assault with a firearm.

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

The ATF and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath prosecuted the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – John Casimere, 33, of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty last week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced. 

According to the guilty plea, Lake Charles police encountered Casimere on May 28, 2018 at a Lake Charles residence after responding to a domestic disturbance involving a firearm.  At the time of this incident, Casimere possessed an RG Industries .22-caliber revolver, and had been previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and was subject to a protection order, which prohibited him from possessing a firearm.

Casimere faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for May 9, 2019.

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

The ATF and Lake Charles Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal jury found Carlos A. Spann guilty Thursday night for his role in a fraudulent check scheme resulting in the theft of nearly $200,000, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced.  The jury deliberated for approximately one hour before finding Spann guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud.

Evidence admitted at trial showed that Spann, 41, Phelix K. Williams, 28, and Anthony E. Johnson, 23, all of Shreveport, conspired to cash counterfeit checks using fraudulent identities at banks and retail establishments throughout Louisiana.  During the conspiracy, the co-defendants negotiated more than 100 counterfeit checks resulting in nearly $200,000 in illegally obtained proceeds.

United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. presided over the trial that started Monday and ended Thursday.  Hicks set Spann’s sentencing for May 23, 2019. 

Johnson pleaded guilty on January 17, 2019 to one count of conspiracy and two counts of bank fraud.  Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced May 1, 2019. Williams pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy, 12 counts of bank fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Williams is scheduled to be sentenced May 30, 2019. The defendants face up to 30 years in prison, five years supervised release and a $1 million fine.            

The U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Fields and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. – The Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that Quintail Credit, a former officer at the Richwood Correctional Center, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday for his role in a conspiracy to cover up the physical assault of five inmates by officers.  Credit, 26, of Winsboro, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to falsify documents with intent to obstruct and influence the investigation of a matter within federal jurisdiction.  Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana David C. Joseph made the announcement.

“Any officer who conspires to cover up any crime or physical assault against an inmate violates federal law and will be held accountable under the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Justice Department will continue to prosecute unlawful misconduct by correction officers.”

“Criminal conduct by correctional officers will not be tolerated in the Western District of Louisiana,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph.  “Correctional officers deserve our respect for the jobs they do, but we must also hold them accountable when they willfully break the law and cover up the abuse of inmates.”

According to his guilty plea, Credit worked as a correctional officer at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana, where on Oct. 30, 2016, he and other officers abused inmates and then conspired to cover it up.  According to Mr. Credit, he and other officers sprayed a chemical agent directly in the faces and eyes of five inmates while the inmates were handcuffed, compliant, kneeling on the floor, and not posing a physical threat to anyone.  Following that abuse, Mr. Credit and the other officers conspired to hide their conduct by submitting false reports. 

Roderick Douglas, a former supervisor at the Richwood Correctional Center, pleaded guilty in federal court on January 31, 2019 for his role in the conspiracy to violate the civil rights of five inmates.  Sentencing for Douglas is scheduled for June 5, 2019.

The count of conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a criminal fine of up to $250,000.  Quintail Credit is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17, 2019 by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty of the Western District of Louisiana, who accepted the plea.

The case was investigated by the Monroe Division of the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, are prosecuting the case.

The Justice Department today announced that defendant Quintail Credit, a former officer at the Richwood Correctional Center, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday for his role in a conspiracy to cover up the physical assault of five inmates by officers. Credit, 26, of Winsboro, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to falsify documents with intent to obstruct and influence the investigation of a matter within federal jurisdiction.  Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana David C. Joseph made the announcement.

“Any officer who conspires to cover up any crime or physical assault against an inmate violates federal law and will be held accountable under the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Justice Department will continue to prosecute unlawful misconduct by correction officers.”

“Criminal conduct by correctional officers will not be tolerated in the Western District of Louisiana,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph.  “Correctional officers deserve our respect for the jobs they do, but we must also hold them accountable when they willfully break the law and cover up the abuse of inmates.”

According to his guilty plea, Credit worked as a correctional officer at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana, where on Oct. 30, 2016 he and other officers abused inmates and then conspired to cover it up.  According to Mr. Credit, he and other officers sprayed a chemical agent directly in the faces and eyes of five inmates while the inmates were handcuffed, compliant, kneeling on the floor, and not posing a physical threat to anyone.  Following that abuse, Mr. Credit and the other officers conspired to hide their conduct by submitting false reports. 

Roderick Douglas, a former supervisor at the Richwood Correctional Center, pleaded guilty in federal court on Jan. 31 for his role in the conspiracy to violate the civil rights of five inmates. Sentencing for Douglas is scheduled for June 5, 2019.

The count of conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a criminal fine of up to $250,000. Mr. Credit is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17, 2019 by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty of the Western District of Louisiana, who accepted the plea.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Louisiana, and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section. The case was investigated by the Monroe Division of the FBI.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that the last defendant in a Winn Parish methamphetamine distribution ring was sentenced Monday.  United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Jeremy Laraun Mamon, also known as “Pop C” and “Rilo,” 36, of Winnfield, Louisiana, to 16 years in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  

Mamon was one of 11 defendants named as part of an indictment filed September 28, 2017.  According to the October 22, 2018 guilty plea of Jeremy Mamon, he and 10 co-defendants conspired to distribute methamphetamine in the Winn Parish area from October 2015 to September 2017.  

All 10 defendants have now been convicted and sentenced for their part in the conspiracy:

Co-Defendant

Date of Guilty Plea

Sentencing

 

Cristina Daniela Santos, 26,

of Los Angeles, California

 

September 10, 2018

 

January 16, 2019 - 130 months in prison; five years of supervised release.

 

Ladarrius “Fat Boy” James Street, 35, of Winnfield

 

September 10, 2018

January 16, 2019 - 324 months in prison; 10 years of supervised release.

 

Dexter “Big Oil,” “Big R”  Jerome Sapp, 39, of Winnfield,

 

April 16, 2018

November 20, 2018 - 140 months in prison; five years of supervised release.

 

Destiney Hamilton, 33,

of Winnfield

July 5, 2018

November 19, 2018 - 36 months in prison; two years of supervised release.

 

Kendrick “L-Dog” Lamont Davenport, 44, of Winnfield

 

June 27, 2018

September 28, 2018 - 120 months in prison; five years of supervised release.

 

Stephen “Little Stephen” Duncan Jr., 26, of Winnfield

 

July 5, 2018

October 9, 2018 - 60 months in prison; four years of supervised release.

 

Delano “Drain” C. Hall, 49,

of Winnfield

 

June 27, 2018

November 20, 2018 - 120 months in prison; five years of supervised release.

 

Michael “Mike D,” “Michael D” Deangelo Hall, 33, of Winnfield

 

July 13, 2018

October 9, 2018 - 120 months in prison; five years of supervised release.

 

Rafael “Toot” M. Powell, 33,

of Atlanta, Louisiana

 

September 10, 2018

January 16, 2019 - 180 months in prison; 10 years of supervised release.

 

Xavier “Dank” Deandre Powell, 29, of Winnfield

 

August 27, 2018

December 13, 2018 - 120 months in prison; five years of supervised release.

 

The FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Louisiana State Police, Alexandria Field Office Narcotics, participated in the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl M. Campbell and Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case.

 

# # #

 

 

LAFAYETTE, La. – Kenyatta Edmond, 39, of Lafayette, was sentenced on Monday to 110 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced.  The defendant was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. 

According to the guilty plea, a concerned citizen contacted the Lafayette police on January 22, 2018 to report an unconscious man behind the wheel of a car at the intersection of Evangeline Thruway and Mudd Avenue.  An officer approached the vehicle and saw Edmond slumped forward appearing to be asleep, and noticed a pistol in Edmond’s lap with his hand around the grip.  When questioned, Edmond told the officer that he had a second firearm in the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle revealed a Beretta Model PX4 Storm .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Taurus Model Judge .410 gauge revolver.  After further investigation, it was discovered that the revolver had been previously reported stolen and that Edmond has four prior felony convictions.

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

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF’s) top enforcement and regulatory priority is to prevent and reduce violent crime involving firearms.  The ATF carefully focuses its resources to ensure that their operations have the greatest impact on reducing firearms violence.  The ATF works closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to collect evidence necessary to convict violent offenders that terrorize our communities and those who illegally supply them with guns.

The ATF Lafayette Field Office and the Lafayette Police Department investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a man and woman from Pittsburgh were sentenced last week for transporting cocaine through Calcasieu Parish. 

Joseph Wilbon, 52, and Marva L. Flenory, 59, both of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were sentenced on January 31, 2019 to 78 months and 57 months in prison, respectively, by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  They were also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the July 19, 2018 guilty pleas, Louisiana State Police pulled over the vehicle Wilbon was driving on June 8, 2016 in Calcasieu Parish. Wilbon and his passenger, Flenory, were traveling east at the time. The trooper searched the vehicle and found a large red suitcase, which contained six brick-like bundles of cocaine totaling 15.96 pounds.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE/LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that two illegal aliens pleaded guilty and nine were sentenced last week after being arrested in south Louisiana for various offenses.

           

Illegal alien from Mexico arrested in Lafayette Parish pleads guilty to possessing revolver, shotgun

LAFAYETTE, La. – Jose Daniel Molina, 36, of Veracruz, Mexico, pleaded guilty January 29, 2019 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst for one count of possessing of firearms by an illegal alien.  The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter.  According to the guilty plea, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call on December 2, 2018 of shots being fired near a residence in Duson, Louisiana.  Deputies found Molina’s vehicle parked at the intersection of Dwayne Road and Tunica Lane, and also found a Mossberg 20-gauge shotgun in plain view in the backseat of the car, and a Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver with three live rounds and three empty casings on the ground about 10 feet from the driver’s side window of Molina’s car.  Molina was later taken into custody and told Homeland Security agents that he illegally entered the country in 2000 and was in possession of the two firearms.

Molina faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and possible deportation.  The court set an April 24, 2019 sentencing date.

Homeland Security Investigations, ATF and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.

 

6 illegal aliens arrested in southwest Louisiana pleaded guilty, sentenced for re-entering the country illegally

            LAKE CHARLES, La. – The following illegal aliens pleaded guilty and were sentenced January 31, 2019 for re-entering the United States after having been removed.

Gerardo Valencia-Alvarez, 24, of Mexico. According to the guilty plea, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle Valencia-Alvarez was traveling in on October 8, 2018.  After further investigation, law enforcement agents found that he was an illegal alien from Mexico and had been removed from the country previously in 2013. United States Border Patrol and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the cases.

Josue David Diaz-Ramos, 23, of Honduras.  According to the guilty plea, the Sulphur Police Department contacted the U.S. Border Patrol for assistance in handling illegal aliens found during a traffic stop.  Border Patrol agents found that Diaz-Ramos has been removed from the country in 2014 and was not allowed to re-enter the country. United States Border Patrol and Sulphur Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the cases.

Alberto Herndandez-Villeda, 48, of Mexico.  According to the guilty plea, Cameron Parish Sheriff’s deputies found Hernandez-Villeda with another illegal alien on November 8, 2018 while investigating a complaint about someone trespassing on private property.  Border Patrol agents discovered that the defendant had been previously removed from the United States on July 14, 2017 and was not allowed in the country.  United States Border Patrol and Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the cases. 

Pedro Santiago-Gomez, 23, of Honduras.  According to the guilty plea, Santiago-Gomez was traveling in a vehicle that was stopped by Louisiana State Police for hit and run.  State Police contacted Border Patrol, and they determined that Santiago had been previously removed from the country in 2013.  United States Border Patrol and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the cases.

Hector Ramiro Iglesias-Pineda, 33, of Honduras, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien. According to the guilty plea, Iglesias-Pineda was found in Jefferson Davis Parish on October 28, 2018.  He was an illegal alien who has been removed from the United States previously on December 6, 2010.  Homeland Security Investigations and the Jennings Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips prosecuted the case.

Saul Gallindo-Martinez, 33, of Puebla, Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien.  According to the guilty plea, Gallindo-Martinez was found on September 12, 2018 in Beauregard Parish.  The defendant had been previously deported on December 10, 2012 after pleading guilty in the 14th Judicial District Court in Calcasieu Parish to driving while intoxicated, first offense.  Homeland Security Investigations and the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips prosecuted the case.

The defendants were also sentenced to a term of imprisonment spanning the time of incarceration to sentencing.  They were then remanded to the custody of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings.

 

Mexican national sentenced to 27 months in prison for transporting 9 illegal aliens in Calcasieu Parish  

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Felix Manuel Juarez-Peralta, 28, of Durango, Mexico, was sentenced January 31, 2019 by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of illegal alien transportation.  According to the October 12, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle June 7, 2018 traveling west on Interstate 10 in Sulphur, Louisiana.  Officers found Juarez-Peralta and nine illegal aliens in a Toyota 4Runner.  One of the passengers was an unaccompanied minor.  After questioning the defendant, Juarez-Peralta admitted that he knew the passengers were illegal aliens and that he had been paid to transport them.

Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol and Calcasieu Combined Anti-Drug Team conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case.

 

Illegal alien from Mexico arrested in Calcasieu Parish pleads guilty re-entering U.S. for 7th time  

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Michael Murillo-Vasquez, 39, of Mexico, pleaded guilty February 1, 2019 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay on one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien.  According to the guilty plea, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies stopped the vehicle Murillo-Vasquez was driving on September 27, 2018 at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and Interstate 10.  Upon further investigation, Border Patrol agents found that Murillo-Vasquez had been removed from the country six times in November 2006, July 2007, November 2011, May 2012, February 2013 and October 2014.

Murillo-Vasquez faces up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and possible deportation. The court set sentencing for May 9, 2019. United States Border Patrol and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Following a trial that began on Monday, a federal jury returned a verdict of guilty today on all counts charged in the prosecution of a 58-year old Shreveport surgeon for stealing more than $200,000 in Social Security disability payments, announced U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph.

The jury deliberated for approximately ten hours before finding John T. Owings, Chief of Trauma at Louisiana State University – Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, guilty of 20 counts of theft of government property and one count of concealing or failing to disclose an event affecting right to a government benefit.

The United States presented evidence during trial showing that Owings applied for disability benefits in 2008 and continued to receive those benefits through June of 2017, after returning to work in 2012.  When Owings went back to work as a surgeon at the University of California-Davis in 2012, making $22,000 a month, he failed to tell the Social Security Administration (SSA) about his return to work. In 2013, LSU Health Sciences Center in  Shreveport hired Owings as its trauma chief, paying him over $40,000 a month.  Owings never disclosed his employment at LSU Health Sciences Center to the SSA. Owings took disability insurance benefits throughout his employment at the University of California-Davis and LSU Health Sciences Center that he was not entitled to.

“Protecting taxpayer money from fraud is a priority of my office,” stated U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph.  ”We will hold accountable those who try to defraud the government and wrongfully take money intended for those in need.  This verdict shows the strength of the evidence in this case and underscores the hard work of the Social Security Administration investigators and prosecutors in my office.”

“Today’s guilty verdict affirms Social Security Administration’s, Office of the Inspector General, mission to combat fraud, waste and abuse,” said   Terry L. Brown, Acting Special Agent in Charge, SSA OIG Dallas Field Division. “The dedicated work by OIG agents and the Shreveport United States Attorney’s office resulted in the protection of United States citizens and the Disability Insurance Trust Funds.”

The SSA is responsible for the implementation of the Disability Insurance Benefits Program under Title II of the Social Security Act.  The SSA provides monetary benefits to individuals who have worked and paid taxes to SSA.  To be eligible for monthly cash benefits, individuals must have been deemed medically disabled and must have been unable to maintain gainful employment.

Pursuant to SSA regulations, a claimant must prove to SSA that he or she is disabled by furnishing medical and other evidence with the application. The application and supporting evidence would then be evaluated by SSA to determine the individual’s medical impairments and determine the effect of the impairment on the claimant’s ability to work on a sustained basis.  Recipients of Social Security disability insurance benefits are required by federal law to report any changes in their medical or employment status to SSA, including any work activity, whether compensated or not.  Eligibility for Disability Insurance Benefits is conditioned on the recipient’s lack of employment income during the period when the disability benefits are paid.

United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the trial and will sentence Owings on May 29, 2019.  Owings faces up to ten years imprisonment for theft of government property and five years imprisonment for concealing or failing to disclose an event affecting right to a Title II benefit.  Owings also faces up to three years supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each count.            

The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Seth D. Reeg and Leon H. Whitten prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Monroe felon pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing two handguns, multiple rounds of ammunition and a large capacity drum magazine.

Kendrick Darnell Williams, 21, of Monroe, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. When Monroe police officers stopped a car on October 17, 2017 for a traffic violation, Kendrick Williams jumped out of the passenger door and ran.  Officers caught Williams and brought him back to the scene where they searched the car and found a loaded Ruger .357-caliber revolver and a loaded Smith & Wesson .9 mm-caliber pistol in a natural void behind the glove compartment.  They also found a 60-round Magpul drum-style magazine in the back seat, and one round of .45-caliber ammunition, one round of .380 caliber ammunition and eight rounds of .40 caliber ammunition in the trunk.  When officers checked the status of the firearms, the Smith & Wesson pistol came back stolen.   Williams admitted to handling the Smith & Wesson pistol before police stopped the vehicle. 

Williams is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.  Williams pleaded guilty to aggravated second-degree battery in Ouachita Parish on April 26, 2012.  Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. 

Williams faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.  Judge Doughty set the sentencing date for May 1, 2019.

The ATF, Ouachita Parish Metro Narcotics Unit, and the Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara is prosecuting the case.

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

LAKE CHARLES, La. – A Lake Charles couple admitted on Wednesday in U.S. District Court to selling hundreds of Oxycodone pills, announced U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. 

John Homer Legros Jr. 39, and his wife, Veronica Gray Legros, 39, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  United States Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay presided at the hearing.  The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter.

During their plea hearings, each defendant admitted to selling Oxycodone pills.  John Legros sold 100 Oxycodone pills on May 19, 2016, and 95 Oxycodone pills on June 16, 2016.  On September 28, 2016, John Legros gave Veronica Legros 100 Oxycodone pills with instructions to deliver and sell them to a contact on his behalf.  On October 25, 2016, John Legros asked co-defendant Billy Winbush, 41, also of Lake Charles, to sell 100 Oxycodone pills.  During this investigation, law enforcement discovered that Legros was financing the construction of a house that appraised at $600,000 with the drug sale proceeds.  As a result, the property is being forfeited to the United States.

The defendants face up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine.  Winbush pleaded guilty on January 14, 2019 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  All defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on May 9, 2019.

The FBI and the Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.

The Justice Department today announced that defendant Roderick Douglas, a former supervisor at the Richwood Correctional Center, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday for his role in a conspiracy to violate the civil rights of five inmates. Douglas, 38, of Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to conspiring with five other officers to violate the Constitutional prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana David C. Joseph made the announcement.

“Correctional officers who abuse their power and inflict cruel and unusual punishment against the inmates under their care, violate the Constitution,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute unlawful misconduct by correctional officers to protect victims of these abuses and to ensure the integrity of our civil rights laws.”   

“The men and women who work in our prison system have a difficult and dangerous job,” U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph stated.  “However, we expect our correctional facility employees to be professional and respectful of others’ rights.  Those who fail to do so will be held accountable.”

According to his guilty plea, Douglas worked as a Captain at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana, where on Oct. 30, 2016 he and other officers conspired to inflict cruel and unusual punishment upon five inmates by spraying a chemical agent in their face and eyes while the inmates were handcuffed, compliant, kneeling on the floor, and not posing a physical threat to anyone. Douglas admitted that he and the other officers attempted to hide their conduct by submitting a false story in their official reports concerning the incident.

The count of conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a criminal fine of up to $250,000. Douglas is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, 2019 by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty of the Western District of Louisiana, who accepted the plea.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Louisiana, and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, U.S. Department of Justice. The case was investigated by the Monroe Division of the FBI.

MONROE, La. – The Justice Department and U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Roderick Douglas, a former supervisor at the Richwood Correctional Center, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to violate the civil rights of five inmates.

Douglas, 38, of Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to conspiring with five other officers to violate the Constitutional prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.  Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division and Western District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph made the announcement. 

“Correctional officers who abuse their power and inflict cruel and unusual punishment against the inmates under their care, violate the Constitution,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute unlawful misconduct by correctional officers to protect victims of these abuses and to ensure the integrity of our civil rights laws.”   

“The men and women who work in our prison system have a difficult and dangerous job,” U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph stated.  “However, we expect our correctional facility employees to be professional and respectful of others’ rights.  Those who fail to do so will be held accountable.”

According to his guilty plea, Douglas worked as a Captain at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana, where on October 30, 2016, he and other officers conspired to inflict cruel and unusual punishment upon five inmates by spraying a chemical agent in their face and eyes while the inmates were handcuffed, compliant, kneeling on the floor, and not posing a physical threat to anyone. Douglas admitted that he and the other officers attempted to hide their conduct by submitting a false story in their official reports concerning the incident.

The count of conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a criminal fine of up to $250,000.  Douglas is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, 2019 by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty of the Western District of Louisiana, who accepted the plea.

The case was investigated by the Monroe Division of the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, U.S. Department of Justice, are prosecuting the case.

WASHINGTON – In the latest joint federal-state Clean Water Act enforcement action, Sunoco Pipeline L.P. has agreed to pay civil penalties and state enforcement costs and to implement corrective measures to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and state environmental laws by Sunoco and Mid-Valley Pipeline Company stemming from three crude oil spills in 2013, 2014, and 2015, in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

The Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) jointly announced the settlement.

Under a proposed consent decree lodged today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Sunoco will pay the United States $5 million in federal civil penalties for the Clean Water Act violations and pay LDEQ $436,274.20 for civil penalties and response costs to resolve claims asserted in a complaint filed today. Additionally, Sunoco agreed to take actions to prevent future spills by identifying and remediating the types of problems that caused the prior spills. This includes performing pipeline inspections and repairing pipeline defects that could lead to future spills. Sunoco is also required to take steps to prevent and detect corrosion in pipeline segments that Sunoco is no longer using. Mid-Valley, the owner of the pipeline that spilled oil in Louisiana, is responsible, along with Sunoco, for payment of the civil penalties and state costs relating to the Louisiana spill.

“This settlement holds Sunoco and Mid-Valley accountable for the harms to the environment caused by their oil spills and requires Sunoco to improve its environmental safety compliance for the oil pipelines that it operates in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This excellent result shows how a strong federal and state partnership can bring about effective environmental enforcement to protect local communities in these states.” 

“My office is committed to protecting Louisiana’s environment for the health, well-being, and enjoyment of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph for the Western District of Louisiana. “This settlement is but one example of my commitment to work with the Environmental Protection Agency and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to make Louisiana a cleaner and healthier place to live.”

“Our nation relies on the oil and gas sector to meet our energy needs, and we also expect companies to do so while protecting our vital water resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ann Idsal. “Companies who violate this responsibility must face consequences and assure their future compliance.”

“Pipelines are generally a very safe medium for transporting crude oil, but like any other infrastructure, pipelines require maintenance and monitoring. When companies neglect these necessary actions, pipelines can weaken and a spill can occur, which results in damage to the environment,” said LDEQ Secretary Dr. Chuck Carr Brown. “LDEQ is committed to pursuing legal action against anyone whose actions cause damage to the environment of the state of Louisiana.”

The Complaint alleges federal and state claims relating to three crude oil spills: a 2013 spill of 550 barrels in Tyler County, Texas; a 2014 spill of approximately 4,500 barrels in Caddo Parish, near Mooringsport, Louisiana; and a 2015 spill of 40 barrels in Grant County, Oklahoma. The Texas spill affected Russell Creek, which flows to the Neches River. The Louisiana spill—the largest of the three—flowed to Tete Bayou, a tributary of Caddo Lake. The Oklahoma spill flowed into two creeks that flow to the Arkansas River, affecting an area of about a half a mile. All three spills resulted from pipeline corrosion.

The Clean Water Act makes it unlawful to discharge oil or hazardous substances into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines in quantities that may be harmful to the environment or public health. The penalty paid to the United States will be deposited in the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund managed by the National Pollution Funds Center. Those funds will be available to pay for federal response activities and to compensate for damages when there is a discharge or substantial threat of discharge of oil or hazardous substances to waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines.

The proposed consent decree, lodged with the court today, is subject to a public comment requirements and court review and approval.  A copy of the consent decree is available on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.

In the latest joint federal-state Clean Water Act enforcement action, Sunoco Pipeline L.P. has agreed to pay civil penalties and state enforcement costs and to implement corrective measures to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and state environmental laws by Sunoco and Mid-Valley Pipeline Company stemming from three crude oil spills in 2013, 2014, and 2015, in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

The Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) jointly announced the settlement.

Under a proposed consent decree lodged today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Sunoco will pay the United States $5 million in federal civil penalties for the Clean Water Act violations and pay LDEQ $436,274 for civil penalties and response costs to resolve claims asserted in a complaint filed today. Additionally, Sunoco agreed to take actions to prevent future spills by identifying and remediating the types of problems that caused the prior spills. This includes performing pipeline inspections and repairing pipeline defects that could lead to future spills. Sunoco is also required to take steps to prevent and detect corrosion in pipeline segments that Sunoco is no longer using. Mid-Valley, the owner of the pipeline that spilled oil in Louisiana, is responsible, along with Sunoco, for payment of the civil penalties and state costs relating to the Louisiana spill.

“This settlement holds Sunoco and Mid-Valley accountable for the harms to the environment caused by their oil spills and requires Sunoco to improve its environmental safety compliance for the oil pipelines that it operates in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This excellent result shows how a strong federal and state partnership can bring about effective environmental enforcement to protect local communities in these states.” 

“My office is committed to protecting Louisiana’s environment for the health, well-being, and enjoyment of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph for the Western District of Louisiana. “This settlement is but one example of my commitment to work with the Environmental Protection Agency and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to make Louisiana a cleaner and healthier place to live.”

“Our nation relies on the oil and gas sector to meet our energy needs, and we also expect companies to do so while protecting our vital water resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ann Idsal. “Companies who violate this responsibility must face consequences and assure their future compliance.”

“Pipelines are generally a very safe medium for transporting crude oil, but like any other infrastructure, pipelines require maintenance and monitoring. When companies neglect these necessary actions, pipelines can weaken and a spill can occur, which results in damage to the environment,” said LDEQ Secretary Dr. Chuck Carr Brown. “LDEQ is committed to pursuing legal action against anyone whose actions cause damage to the environment of the state of Louisiana.”

The Complaint alleges federal and state claims relating to three crude oil spills: a 2013 spill of 550 barrels in Tyler County, Texas; a 2014 spill of approximately 4,500 barrels in Caddo Parish, near Mooringsport, Louisiana; and a 2015 spill of 40 barrels in Grant County, Oklahoma. The Texas spill affected Russell Creek, which flows to the Neches River. The Louisiana spill—the largest of the three—flowed to Tete Bayou, a tributary of Caddo Lake. The Oklahoma spill flowed into two creeks that flow to the Arkansas River, affecting an area of about a half a mile. All three spills resulted from pipeline corrosion.

The Clean Water Act makes it unlawful to discharge oil or hazardous substances into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines in quantities that may be harmful to the environment or public health. The penalty paid to the United States will be deposited in the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund managed by the National Pollution Funds Center. Those funds will be available to pay for federal response activities and to compensate for damages when there is a discharge or substantial threat of discharge of oil or hazardous substances to waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines.

The proposed consent decree, lodged with the court today, is subject to a public comment requirements and court review and approval.  A copy of the consent decree is available on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.

MONROE, La. – Daryon D. Kelley, age 23, of Monroe, Louisiana, was found guilty today in United States District Court following a three-day trial, announced United States Attorney David C. Joseph.

After deliberating this afternoon, the federal jury found Kelley guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Evidence admitted at trial revealed that West Monroe police conducted a traffic stop October 2, 2017 on the vehicle Kelley was driving.  During a search of the vehicle, police officers found a Ruger .9 mm-caliber pistol and ammunition, $10,400 and a partially smoked marijuana cigar in the center console.  Daryon Kelley was previously convicted on April 9, 2015 for a drug distribution charge.

“Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition,” stated U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners in keeping our neighborhoods safe and we will continue to work together towards a safer Monroe in 2019.”  

The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.  Sentencing has been set for May 15, 2019.

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

The ATF and the West Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tennille M. Gilreath and Earl M. Campbell are prosecuting the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a West Monroe felon pleaded guilty on January 17, 2019 to unlawfully possessing a pistol.

 

Michael Holder, 41, of West Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  According to the guilty plea, an officer with the Ouachita Parish Task Force conducted a traffic stop on Holder’s vehicle June 9, 2017.  The officer discovered that Holder had a warrant from the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and asked Holder to exit the vehicle.  Holder told the officer he was sitting on a BB gun.  Instead of a BB gun, it turned out to be a loaded Glock, Model 17, 9mm-caliber pistol.  The officer also found a glass smoking pipe with suspected methamphetamine in Holder’s back pocket.

Holder faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.  The court set the sentencing date for May 15 2019.

The ATF and the Ouachita Parish Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford is prosecuting the case.

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

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a woman living in Vivian was sentenced on January 22, 2019 to 10 years in prison for distribution of methamphetamine in Shreveport.

Miranda Sierra, 42, of Vivian, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. She was also sentenced to 33 months of supervised release.  According to the June 7, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement agents conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Sierra on March 8, 2017, in Shreveport. She met the buyer at a gas station and sold 12.5 grams of methamphetamine.  She told the buyer that she would soon travel to California to obtain more methamphetamine for the purpose of selling.

The DEA investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport felon pleaded guilty on January 15, 2019 to lying on an application to buy a firearm at a pawnshop.

Jacory Dejuan Robinson, 23, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of providing a false statement to a firearm dealer. According to the guilty plea, Robinson filled out paperwork on March 28, 2018 at a Shreveport pawnshop to purchase a handgun.  He marked “no” in the box asking if he had ever been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, even though he had previously pleaded guilty on May 2, 2017 to one count of misdemeanor simple battery of his girlfriend in Greenwood, Louisiana.

Robinson faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for May 1, 2019.

The ATF conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Crawford is prosecuting the case.

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

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Port Barre man was sentenced on January 2, 2019 to two years in prison for possessing child pornography on his computer and an external hard drive. 

John G. Bertrand, 35, of Port Barre, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee. D. Drell on one count of possession of child pornography.  He was also sentenced to seven years of supervised release and is required to register as a sex offender. According to the July 25, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement agents identified an IP address associated with Bertrand’s residence as downloading child pornography from the internet.  Agents searched Bertrand’s home on December 15, 2016, and found a MacBook laptop containing 491 images and 88 video files of child pornography. They also found an external hard drive containing 292 images and 43 video files of child pornography.  Bertrand admitted to agents that he had downloaded and stored the child pornography on these devices.

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.           

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423.  Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls.  Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app.  Tips may be submitted anonymously.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Monroe felon was sentenced on January 2, 2019 to more than nine years in prison for possessing a 12-gauge shotgun. 

Adrian Terrell Riser, 32, of Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 110 months imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty on one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release.  According to the September 10, 2018 guilty plea, a Monroe Police Officer observed Riser on February 28, 2018 outside of an apartment on Richwood Road with a firearm in the left leg of his pants.  He was arrested, and the weapon was found to be a Maverick Arms 12-gauge shotgun loaded with six rounds of ammunition.  The defendant was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana in 2012, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in 2014 and possession of cocaine in 2016.  These felonies barred him from possessing a firearm under federal law.

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

The ATF and the Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a man from Alexandria was sentenced on January 14, 2019 to 12 months in prison for stealing $8,600 from the Jena Choctaw Pines Casino.

Eddie Ray Washington, 36, of Alexandria, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of theft from an Indian tribal organization.  He was also sentenced to two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $8,600 restitution. According to the October 4, 2018 guilty plea, Washington entered the Jena Choctaw Pines Casino on September 18, 2018, approached an unoccupied teller station at the cash counter, leaned over the counter, removed $8,600 from a cash drawer and exited the casino.  Casino security officers were able to identity Washington using video surveillance and he was later arrested.

Jurisdiction in Indian Country is based upon the unique sovereign relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes.  Congress has criminalized certain acts that take place in Indian Country.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes all felony cases arising in Indian Country covered by federal criminal law.

The FBI conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Longville woman pleaded guilty on January 24, 2019 to stealing more than $265,000 from her employer and failing to report the income on her tax returns.

Ashleigh Matte, 37, of Longville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to two counts of filing false tax returns.  According to the guilty plea, Matte was the officer manager for Gene Kile, Inc. (“GKI”), in Westlake, Louisiana.  From 2014 to 2016, she stole money from GKI by writing checks to herself using company checks and depositing them into various accounts owned by her.  Over the three-year period, Matte stole $265,418.72, and hid the theft by making false accounting entries in GKI’s records.  On Matte’s 2015 and 2016 tax filing documents, she failed to report this income, which caused a loss to the U.S. Treasury of $56,500.38.

Matte faces up to six years in prison, one year of supervised release, a $200,000 fine and restitution to GKI and the IRS.  The court set sentencing for May 24, 2019.

The IRS investigated the case. United States Attorney David C. Joseph is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that an illegal alien from Mexico arrested in Acadia Parish pleaded guilty today to illegally re-entering the country.

Jose Melchor-Martinez, 49, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst to one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien.  The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr.  According to the guilty plea, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Melchor-Martinez near Church Point, Louisiana, on October 12, 2018 on a criminal complaint.  He had been previously removed from the United States on September 6, 2003 after a serving time for a conviction in Mecklenburg, North Carolina, for a charge of indecent liberties with a child.  At the time of his arrest in October, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement considered Melchor-Martinez one of its most wanted fugitives. For more information, see www.ice.gov/most-wanted/martinez-jose-melchor.

Melchor-Martinez faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and possible deportation.  The court set sentencing for June 6, 2019.

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Removal, Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Haughton man pleaded guilty on January 16, 2019 for convincing a minor to travel with him from West Virginia to Louisiana in order to engage in illegal sex acts.

Blake Lee Bissell, 27, of Haughton, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of coercion and enticement to travel to engage in criminal sexual activity.  According to the guilty plea, Bissell began an online relationship with a 14-year-old in early 2018.  Shortly thereafter, Bissell traveled to West Virginia on June 30, 2018, picked up the minor and transported the minor back to Louisiana where they engaged in illegal sexual activity.

Bissell faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for May 2, 2019.

The FBI and the Wheeling Police Department of West Virginia conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian C. Flanagan and Earl M. Campbell are prosecuting the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that former Richwood Correctional Center officer, David Parker, pleaded guilty on January 17, 2019 in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to cover up the physical assault of five inmates by himself and other correctional officers in violation of the Constitutional prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

Parker, 27, of Tallulah, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to conspiring to falsify documents with the intent to obstruct and influence a matter within federal jurisdiction. According to his guilty plea, Parker worked as an officer at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana, where on October 30, 2016, he and other officers inflicted cruel and unusual punishment upon five inmates by spraying a chemical agent in their face and eyes while the inmates were handcuffed, compliant, kneeling on the floor, and not posing a physical threat to anyone.  Parker admitted that he conspired with the other officers to hide their conduct by submitting a false story in their official reports concerning the incident.

The count of conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a criminal fine of up to $250,000. Parker is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15, 2019.

The case was investigated by the Monroe Division of the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, U.S. Department of Justice, are prosecuting the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a former executive director of the Fenton housing authority pleaded guilty January 8, 2019 to embezzling more than $33,000.

Gwen Jackson, 35, of Fenton, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of federal program fraud.  The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter.  According to the guilty plea, Jackson embezzled $33,194.76 from March 31, 2017 to September 20, 2017 while she was executive director of the Fenton Housing Authority.  Jackson was hired as executive director in February of 2017 and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the housing authority complex, which included access to business checks and the accounting ledger. After receiving complaints about possible theft of funds, law enforcement agents interviewed Jackson and she confessed to fraudulently cashing numerous FHA checks for her personal benefit.

Jackson faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.  The court set the sentencing date for May 9, 2019.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamilla A. Bynog is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Bossier City man pleaded guilty on January 7, 2019 to using a merchandise price changing scheme to steal more than $180,000.

Peter Stifner, 39, of Bossier City, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to three counts of wire fraud.  According to the guilty plea, Stifner conducted a scheme to steal merchandise from Walmart, Sam’s Club and Target.   He obtained barcode stickers of lower priced merchandise, brought the stickers into the stores and placed them over the barcodes of higher priced merchandise.  Stifner purchased merchandise at the lower price and would then resell it online for a profit.  As a result of his fraudulent activity, the defendant stole more than $180,000 during the course of the scheme.

Stifner faces up to 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each count.  The court set the sentencing date for May 2, 2019.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cadesby B. Cooper is prosecuting the case.

LAKE CHARLES/SHREVEPORT La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced one felon pleaded guilty and two were sentenced this week for firearms violations under the Justice Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

 

Lake Charles felon pleads guilty to unlawfully possessing rifle

            LAKE CHARLES, La. – Forrest Cecil Coker II, 33, of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies searched a Laurel Avenue home to execute a pending felony warrant.  Upon searching the home, where Coker was living, deputies found a stolen DPMS Model AR-10, .308-caliber rifle, a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, four suspected Alprazolam pills and two suspected Citalopram pills.  Coker’s criminal history revealed that he was a felon, having previously been convicted of felony offenses on three separate occasions in the State of Louisiana’s 14th Judicial District Court.

Coker faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for March 25, 2019.

The ATF and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. McCoy is prosecuting the case.

 

Shreveport felon sentenced to 46 months in prison for possessing a loaded pistol  

            SHREVEPORT, La. – Kevin Summerfield, 26, of Shreveport, was sentenced Wednesday to four years and 10 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release.  According to the September 7, 2018 guilty plea, a Shreveport Police officer encountered Summerfield at a hotel on Monkhouse Drive.  The officer observed that Summerfield had a firearm in his waistband, and he was subsequently arrested.  The firearm was a Hi-Point, Model CF380, .380-caliber pistol and was loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition.  Summerfield was previously convicted of two burglary felonies in 2011 and is not allowed to possess a firearm according to federal law.

The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.

 

Shreveport felon sentenced to 37 months in prison for possessing pistol in car  

            SHREVEPORT, La. – Kenneth W. Robinson, 33, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced Thursday to three years and one month in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of felon in possession of a firearm. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the September 7, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement officers observed Robinson on January 25, 2018 sitting in a vehicle on Dickinson Street. When officers approached, Robinson fled the vehicle on foot to a nearby apartment. Officers saw a Smith & Wesson SW9VE, 9 mm pistol on the driver’s side floorboard where Robinson had been sitting. They also located Robinson’s mobile phone next to the firearm. He was later arrested and admitted that the firearm was his. Robinson was previously convicted of illegal use of a weapon in 2004, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in 2008 and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2013. The felonies restricted him from possessing a firearm under federal law.

 The ATF, Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Unit and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.

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

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Sarah Paxton, 25, of Lake Charles, was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter, to 120 months in prison and three years of supervised release for her role in kidnapping a Texas man after a failed drug deal.

According to the guilty plea, Paxton, Justin Fry, 35, and James Coleman, 34, also of Lake Charles, traveled to Liberty, Texas, on April 8, 2018 to buy methamphetamine from a contact.  In order to complete the sale, the contact rode with the defendants to Houston to meet a second contact who had the methamphetamine.  Instead of selling the drugs, the Houston contact robbed Fry and then sped away.  The defendants believed the Liberty contact had knowledge of the fact that the Houston supplier intended to rob Fry and proceeded to tie him up and beat him, while Paxton videoed it on her cell phone.  In an attempt to get the victim to pay back the $1,300, Fry and Coleman repeatedly threatened to kill him.  After making several phone calls, the victim was unable to get the money. 

The victim became confident that Coleman, Fry and Paxton were going to kill him, so he jumped from the moving car, rolling down an embankment.  Coleman and Fry retrieved the bloodied victim, beat him more, duct taped his mouth, and locked him in the trunk of the vehicle.  The victim was in the trunk for approximately four to five hours as the defendants drove around Houston and then decided to return to Vinton.  When they stopped in Vinton, the victim escaped from the trunk and called law enforcement.  The defendants’ cell phones were searched and conversations about the drug deal were found on Fry’s cell phone; the videos of the beatings were found on Paxton’s cell phone.

Justin Fry was sentenced to 292 months in prison, and James Coleman was sentenced to 242 months in prison on November 27, 2018 for interstate kidnapping.  They were both also sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that an illegal alien from Honduras pleaded guilty to illegally re-entering the country for a fifth time.

Selvin Ponce-Hernandez, 27, of Honduras, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien. According to the indictment, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested Ponce-Hernandez on August 9, 2018 for domestic abuse battery, possession of a stolen firearm and resisting an officer. The defendant’s wife reported the battery and deputies found him hiding in the closet of an abandoned apartment. The defendant was previously removed from the United States four times - November 2008, December 2009, January 2012 and October 2015. He also has two previous criminal convictions. He was convicted in August of 2008 of criminal mischief in Houston Texas, and in October 2009 in the Southern District of Texas for illegal re-entry of a removed alien.

Ponce-Hernandez faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and possible deportation.  Sentencing has been set for April 3, 2019.

Homeland Security Investigations, the ATF and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Florida man was sentenced Monday to 96 months in prison for trafficking nearly 10 kilograms of cocaine. 

Kavin Grandison, 46, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was also sentenced to four years of supervised release. According to the October 3, 2018 guilty plea, a law enforcement officer conducted a traffic stop on Grandison’s vehicle on February 22, 2018 in Calcasieu Parish.  After a search of the vehicle, the officer discovered sealed plastic bags in the gas tank, which contained powder cocaine.  The substance was tested, weighed and found to be 4.972 kilograms of cocaine.  During an earlier arrest, officers had stopped Grandison’s vehicle on November 8, 2017 in Jackson County, Mississippi, and conducted a search of his vehicle. They found six sealed packages in a detergent box that later tested to be 4.384 kilograms of cocaine.  Grandison was found with a total of 9.356 kilograms of cocaine confiscated from both vehicle stops.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Calcasieu Anti-Drug Team conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.

LAKE CHARLES, SHREVEPORT, ALEXANDRIA, MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that nine illegal aliens arrested in the Western District of Louisiana pleaded guilty and were sentenced this week for re-entering the country.

 

3 illegal aliens from Mexico arrested in Southwest Louisiana plead guilty

            LAKE CHARLES, La. – Pedro Olvera-Gonzalez, 40; Juan Perez-Hernandez, 19; and Jose Miguel Boites-Huerta, 34, all of Mexico, pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien in three separate cases. According to the guilty pleas, the defendants were arrested in southwest Louisiana and found to have re-entered the United States after being removed.

Olvera-Gonzalez was encountered by Border Patrol agents on September 6, 2018 at the Cameron Parish Jail and was found to have been deported four previous times in 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2010.  His criminal history includes a vehicle burglary conviction on May 11, 1999, a vehicle burglary conviction on July 17, 2002 in Nueces County, Texas, an evading arrest conviction on November 17, 2009 in Hidalgo County, Texas, and a 2018 conviction in Cameron Parish for speeding, reckless operation, flight from an officer, lack of vehicle insurance, operation of a vehicle without lawful presence in the United States, no vehicle license and no motor vehicle headlamps.

Perez-Hernandez was detained by Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies after a traffic stop on September 6, 2018 on Interstate-10 in Lake Charles.  He was turned over to Border Patrol agents who discovered that he was a citizen from Mexico and had been previously removed on August 9, 2018.

Boites-Huerta was arrested by Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies after a traffic violation August 14, 2018 near Lake Charles.  He was later turned over to Border Patrol agents who discovered he was a citizen of Mexico and was not allowed to be in the United States.  He had been previously removed on December 13, 2010.

The defendants were sentenced at the guilty plea hearings to time served and are to be deported.

Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the cases.

 

 

2 illegal aliens from Mexico, Honduras plead guilty to illegally re-entering U.S.  

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Sergio Alejandro Rodriguez-Leija, 27, of Mexico, and Irrael Alverto, 40, of Honduras, pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien in separate cases.  According to the guilty pleas, the defendants were arrested in southwest Louisiana and found to have re-entered the United States after being removed.

Rodriguez-Leija was arrested on August 27, 2018 by Border Patrol agents near Lake Charles.  He had been previously removed from the United States on November 14, 2016 near Carrizo Springs, Texas, and was not allowed to re-enter the country.

Alverto was arrested on July 9, 2018 by Sulphur Police near Sulphur, Louisiana.  He later admitted to Border Patrol agents that he was in the country illegally and had been previously removed on January 4, 2018.

The defendants were sentenced at the guilty plea hearings to time served and are to be deported.

Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol and the Sulphur Police Department investigated the cases.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the cases.

 

 

Illegal alien from Mexico found in Calcasieu Parish pleads guilty to re-entering U.S.  

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Juan Antonio Esparza-Martinez, 42, of Mexico, pleaded guilty on Monday and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien.  According to the guilty plea, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office contacted U.S. Border Patrol concerning four individuals who had parked a car blocking traffic. Three of the individuals were in the United States legally, but Esparza-Martinez only provided a Mexican identification card.  Border Patrol agents determined that the defendant had been granted an expedited removal from the country on June 28, 2018.  He also had two previous voluntary removals.  Esparza-Martinez admitted that he is a citizen of Mexico who was removed in June of 2018 and re-entered the United States illegally in July of 2018 near Laredo, Texas.

The defendant was sentenced at the guilty plea hearing to time served and is to be deported.

Homeland Security Investigations and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly P. Uebinger and Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.

 

 

Illegal alien from Guatemala arrested in Webster parish pleads guilty to re-entry  

SHREVEPORT, La. – Rodrigo Apolonio Perez-Mejia, 26, of Guatemala, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien. According to the guilty plea, Sarepta Police dentained Perez-Mejia on August 19, 2018.  Upon further investigation, law enforcement agents learned that he was an alien who had been removed from the United States after U.S. Border Patrol arrested him on August 2, 2017 near Sasabe, Arizona.

The defendant was sentenced at the guilty plea hearing to time served and is to be deported.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Serepta Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath prosecuted the case.

 

 

Illegal alien from El Salvador found in Rapides parish pleads guilty  

ALEXANDRIA, La. – Jose Alfredo Bonilla-Cruz, 48, of Guatemala, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien.  According to the guilty plea, a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agent made contact with Bonilla-Cruz on October 1, 2018 at the Rapides Parish Detention Center in Alexandria.  He was interviewed and admitted to not being a citizen.  It was also discovered that he had been removed from the United States three times in 1998, 2000 and 2004.

The defendant was sentenced at the guilty plea hearing to time served and is to be deported.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.

 

 

Illegal alien from Mexico arrested in West Monroe sentenced to six months 

MONROE, La. – Jose Juan Salinas-Saldana, 42, of Mexico, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in prison today before U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty on one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien.  According to the guilty plea, West Monroe police detained Salinas-Saldana on November 10, 2018.  Law enforcement agents learned that he was an illegal alien who had been removed from the United States in 2002.

Homeland Security Investigations and West Monroe Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case.