Western District of Louisiana

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today a new effort underway to reduce violent crime in the Rapides Parish area by partnering with federal, local and state law enforcement through the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program.

Mr. Joseph’s focus on violent crime is part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing efforts to increase targeted prosecutions of violent crime through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program.  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  It is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  In the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana has prosecuted more than 200 defendants throughout the district, many of which have been in the Alexandria area, for firearm related offenses, including felons and drug dealers in possession of firearms. 

In Rapides Parish, this focus includes sending law enforcement into the communities to conduct what are referred to as knock and talks.  Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office joined with the ATF, FBI, Louisiana State Police, Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Alexandria Police Department, Pineville Police Department, and Louisiana Probation and Parole to promote public safety in areas that have seen an increase in violent crime.  By increasing the visibility of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, they will inform citizens of prevention and deterrence efforts, as well as services available to the public.

Another avenue of prosecution that Joseph’s office is focused on, is cases arising from individuals submitting false information on forms at gun shops, pawnshops, sporting goods stores, or any retail establishment where firearms are sold, in order to purchase a firearm illegally for themselves or for someone else.  It is a felony under federal law for someone to lie on a background check form to try to hide past criminal convictions or protective orders, and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.  This year, the U.S. Attorney’s office has charged eight individuals in U.S. District Court with felony charges for making false statements during purchases of firearms.

“The aim of these prosecutions is to remove the most violent and dangerous offenders from our streets,” Joseph stated.  ”We stand with our law enforcement partners in confronting head-on, the violence, gun crime and drug abuse that plaque our communities.  We will not be deterred, and we will continue to step up the pressure on the bad actors.  Our message is clear, if you threaten the safety and security of our communities, you face the very real prospect of going to federal prison.”

The Western District of Louisiana consists of 42 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes and encompasses two-thirds of the State of Louisiana. This area covers the cities of Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport.

SHREVEPORT/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that three felons pleaded guilty last week for possession of firearms.

Shreveport Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Semi-Automatic Pistol

            SHREVEPORT - Dennis Lee Richardson, 29, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty on December 11, 2018 before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on June 29, 2018 at a Prentiss Street residence.  As agents approached the home, they saw Richardson and his girlfriend sitting in a parked car in the driveway.  The agents also observed a loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol with an extended clip on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat.  Richardson said his mother had purchased the firearm for him.  He is a convicted felon who pleaded guilty on March 10, 2014 in Caddo Parish for attempted illegal carrying of weapons while in possession of controlled dangerous substances.

Richardson faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for February 28, 2019.

The ATF and the Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and Earl M. Campbell are prosecuting the case.

Alexandria Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Pistol

            ALEXANDRIA - Theodore Hines, 37, of Alexandria, pleaded guilty on December 11, 2018 before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  According to the guilty plea, an Alexandria Police officer observed Hines on June 26, 2018 remove a pistol from his pocket and throw it to the ground.  Hines told the police officer that he had the pistol to protect himself.  After learning that Hines had five previous felonies and was not allowed to possess a firearm, the officer arrested Hines and took possession of the firearm, a loaded Kel-Tec .380-caliber pistol.  

Hines was convicted in February of 2001 of possession of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance; he was convicted in December of 2003 of one count of possession of a Schedule V controlled dangerous substance, one count of possession of marijuana and one count of possession of a Schedule V controlled dangerous substance; and he was convicted in February of 2014 of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance.

Hines 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 7, 2019.

The ATF and the Alexandria Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cadesby Cooper is prosecuting the case.

Lake Charles Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Handgun

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Keelan Arnold Broussard, 27, of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty on Friday before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Broussard’s home on May 23, 2018 and discovered a Taurus .38 Special handgun, and two .38 caliber rounds in Broussard’s bedroom.  Broussard admitted that he owned the firearm.

At the time of his arrest, Broussard had a criminal history dating back to January 5, 2011, including previous convictions in the 14th Judicial District Court for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of cocaine, and attempted possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.  As a previously convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Broussard 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 along with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.

Each case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that 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.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced last week to 78 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine.

Dante Jerrad Roberson, 30, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the June 26, 2018 guilty plea, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s narcotics agents searched a house on September 15, 2017 located on Redbud Lane in Shreveport and found Roberson and two other individuals. During the search, agents found 13 bags of methamphetamine inside of a bag of charcoal, which was inside a grill in the backyard. Agents also found two digital scales, several bags of marijuana, and dosages of Xanax and MDMA. Roberson admitted to traveling to Dallas to obtain the methamphetamine and later hiding it in the barbecue pit. The total amount of methamphetamine found weighed 358.8 grams.

The DEA and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a Shreveport man pleaded guilty to his role in a financial aid scheme at Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), which caused a loss of more than $400,000.

Deundre Fleeks, 27, of Shreveport, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of financial aid fraud. According to the guilty plea, Fleeks completed 20 Free Applications for Federal Student Aid in other students’ names. He would then attend their classes, complete coursework and in return received payment from the students to conduct these tasks. The Department of Education disbursed $262,793 in Federal Direct Stafford Loans and $144,052 in Federal Pell Grants during the course of the scheme, which took place from August 2014 to September 2016.

Fleeks faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for March 21, 2019.

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a five-count indictment against Karen Duhon, 64, of Morgan City, Louisiana, charging her with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and one count of mail fraud.

The indictment alleges that Duhon, who was the bookkeeper at Capital Management Consultants, Inc. ("CMCI"), a family-owned company located in Morgan City, Louisiana, stole more than $3 million from January 1999 through March 2014. Duhon wrote fraudulent checks to herself, which were drawn on CMCI’s bank account and deposited those checks into bank accounts owned by her and her husband. In order to conceal these fraudulent payments from the CMCI account, Duhon made false accounting entries into CMCI’s records. During this time, Duhon also assisted certain family members with their personal finances. She used funds from a family member’s personal brokerage account at Oppenheimer and Co. to make payments on her American Express accounts. As a result of Duhon’s fraudulent activities, she embezzled $3,194,920.

If convicted, Duhon faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution, forfeiture and a $250,000 fine.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas F. Phillips is prosecuting the case.

The charges in the indictment are only accusations; the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Anderson Curtel Duke, 33, of Monroe, Louisiana, was indicted on Wednesday by a federal grand jury on two counts of distribution of fentanyl, one of which resulted in a person’s death, three counts of distribution of heroin, two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The indictment alleges that Duke distributed or possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine beginning May 21, 2018 through June 19, 2018. The indictment further alleges that on June 19, 2018, Duke distributed fentanyl, which resulted in the death of the recipient.

If convicted, Anderson Duke faces 20 years to life on the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death (count 1), up to 20 years on the distribution of fentanyl and heroin and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin (counts 2-5; 7-9), and five years up to 40 years on the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (count 6).

The charges against Duke resulted in an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown is prosecuting the case.

The charges in the indictment are only accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – A gang member of the Aryan Circle (AC) was sentenced today for being an accessory-after-the-fact to racketeering murder, announced U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph of the Western District of Louisiana and Assistant Attorney General Bryan A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Leland Edward Hamm, 44, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, to 130 months in prison and three years of supervised release for being an accessory-after-the-fact in the violent crimes in aid of the racketeering murder of Clifton Hallmark.

On August 22, 2018, Hamm pleaded guilty to the charge of accessory-after-the-fact to racketeering murder of Clifton Hallmark. According to the plea agreement, the Aryan Circle (AC) is a race-based, multi-state organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout Texas, Louisiana, and the United States. The AC was established in the mid-1980s within the Texas prison system (TDCJ). Recently, the AC’s structure and influence expanded to rural and suburban areas throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri. The AC emerged as an independent organization during a period of turmoil within the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT). The AC was relatively small in comparison to other prison-based gangs, but grew in stature and influence within TDCJ in the 1990s, largely through violent conflict with other gangs, white and non-white alike.

The plea agreement further alleges that the AC enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the organization. Members, and oftentimes, associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members without question.

In pleading guilty to the accessory charge, Hamm admitted to being an accessory to the murder of Hallmark on or around July 1, 2016, when a fellow AC member shot Hallmark in the side of his head at point blank range at an AC "church" meeting in Turkey Creek, Louisiana. Hamm admitted to being a member of the AC criminal enterprise.

This case is being investigated by an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Prisons; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Louisiana State Police; Evangeline Parish, (LA) Sheriff’s Office; Evangeline Parish District Attorney’s Office; Texas Department of Public Safety; Houston Police Department-Gang Division; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; New Jersey Department of Corrections-Special Investigations Division; Arnold (MO) Police Department; Jefferson County (MO) Sheriff’s Department; St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; St. Louis County (MO) Police Department; Montgomery County (TX) Precinct 1 Constable’s Office; Indiana State Police; Indiana Department of Corrections; Carrollton (TX) Police Department; Waller (TX) Police Department; Montgomery County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; Travis County (TX) Sheriff’s Office and the Tarrant County (TX) Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney David Karpel of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti of the Western District of Louisiana.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that an Abbeville man was sentenced last week to 63 months in prison for accepting marijuana packages from California.

Jabori Huntsberry, 36, of Abbeville, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of unlawful use of a communication facility, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to two years of supervised release.

Evidence admitted at trial, which started August 27 and ended August 29, 2018, revealed that the defendant conspired to receive packages of marijuana from a California source using the U.S. postal service from October 2011 to February 2014. United States Postal Inspectors discovered that, at multiple times and using different addresses and names, Huntsberry shipped marijuana to himself. He also wired approximately $300,000 to the California contact for payment of the drug packages. Law enforcement agents conducted a controlled delivery of one of the packages on February 14, 2014, to a residence next to Huntsberry’s home in Abbeville. After an occupant took the package, agents searched both homes. A search of Huntsberry’s home produced a handwritten notebook detailing the drug activity, along with U.S. Postal Service mail labels for drug packages, money wire transfer receipts, and two firearms.

The ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamilla A. Bynog and John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.

A federal grand jury sitting in Shreveport, Louisiana, returned an indictment yesterday charging a Shreveport husband and wife with conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and multiple counts of filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana David C. Joseph.

According to the indictment, Robert and Donna Poimboeuf owned and operated D&G Holdings LLC (D&G), a company providing laboratory and mobile phlebotomy services.  For the 2011 through 2015 tax years, the Poimboeufs allegedly underreported their income and gross receipts from D&G on their joint personal federal income tax returns by submitting false information to two separate tax return preparers that omitted bank accounts and Forms 1099 that the accountants needed to accurately report their taxable income.  The indictment charges that the Poimboeufs also improperly classified business receipts as non-taxable loan proceeds in an effort to reduce their income. 

If convicted, Robert and Donna Poimboeuf each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the conspiracy counts and three years in prison on each false return count.  The Poimboeufs also face a period of supervised release and monetary penalties.  An indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook and Trial Attorney Kevin Schneider of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a man from Honduras pleaded guilty to making false statements after trying to obtain a Louisiana driver’s license illegally.

Will Avila, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee. D. Drell to one count of making a false statement. According to the guilty plea, Avila entered a Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles location in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana on January 10, 2018, and attempted to apply for a Louisiana driver’s license. Avila used the name and Social Security card of a Puerto Rican citizen to fill out the driver’s license application. A special agent with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement questioned Avila, and the defendant made false statements in an attempt to maintain the false identity he used to apply for the driver’s license.

Avila faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for March 7, 2019.

Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers P. Namie is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging a Shreveport husband and wife with conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and multiple counts of filing false tax returns, announced United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana David C. Joseph and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

According to the indictment, Robert and Donna Poimboeuf owned and operated D&G Holdings, LLC (D&G), a company providing laboratory and mobile phlebotomy services. For the 2011 through 2015 tax years, the Poimboeufs allegedly underreported their income and gross receipts from D&G on their joint personal federal income tax returns by submitting false information to two separate tax return preparers. The information submitted to the tax preparers omitted bank accounts and Forms 1099 that the accountants needed to accurately report their taxable income. The indictment charges that the Poimboeufs also improperly classified business receipts as non-taxable loan proceeds in an effort to reduce their income.

If convicted, Robert and Donna Poimboeuf each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the conspiracy counts and three years in prison on each false return count. The Poimboeufs also face a period of supervised release and monetary penalties.

Special agents with the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation. First Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Van Hook and Trial Attorney Kevin Schneider of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

The charges in the indictment are only accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that two northwest Louisiana felons were sentenced and one pled guilty to firearms charges.

Felon from Many, Louisiana sentenced for possessing firearms after assault and police standoff at barbershop 

Willie D. Carhee, 56, of Many, Louisiana, was sentenced Thursday to 84 months in prison by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the August 20, 2018 guilty plea, police responded to a 911 domestic assault call that occurred at a barbershop in Many on April 27, 2017.  After the assault, Carhee ran inside the barbershop where he worked and refused to leave.  The victim told the police dispatcher that Carhee had a firearm at the barbershop as well as firearms at his home.  Law enforcement set up a perimeter and called SWAT. A Many police officer found and seized a loaded Hi-Point Firearms .45 caliber pistol in plain view in Carhee’s car, which was parked in front of the barbershop.  After SWAT threw a telephone through the window of the barbershop, Carhee surrendered to authorities.  A search of the barbershop yielded approximately 190 grams of marijuana.  Police searched Carhee’s home and found a Marlin, Glenfield model 70, .22 caliber rifle, a Remington, model: 770, .308 caliber rifle, a Remington, model: 710, .30-06 caliber rifle, and several marijuana plants in the backyard.  Carhee has a long criminal history involving drugs and firearms.  He has at least six felony convictions, which include: possession of a Schedule II drug in the 10th Judicial District, Natchitoches Parish, on March 12, 2012, possession/introduction of contraband into a penal institution on July 10, 2008, manufacturing of a Schedule I drug and illegal carrying of a weapon in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, on September 14, 2006, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon in the 294th Judicial District, Dallas, Texas, and reckless injury to a child in Dallas, Texas.  Being a convicted felon, Carhee is not allowed to possess a firearm.

The ATF and Many Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara prosecuted the case.

 Shreveport felon sentenced to 26 months in prison for using relative’s pistol

Frank G. Pearson, 22, of Shreveport, was sentenced Monday to two years and two months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the August 20, 2018 guilty plea, Shreveport police recovered a Zastava model PAP M92PV 7.62x39 mm pistol, 36 rounds of ammunition and two 7.62 magazines taped together at the home of Pearson’s relative.  The firearm belonged to Pearson’s relative, but Pearson had access to the firearm and had borrowed it on several occasions between June 1, 2017 and August 23, 2017.  Pearson is a felon who was previously convicted in 2016 for theft and illegal use of a weapon.  He is restricted from possessing a firearm.

The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell prosecuted the case.

Shreveport man pleads guilty to drug, firearm charges

Ellis Harp III, 44, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty on Thursday before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents executed three warrants - one on Hollywood Avenue and two on Earl Street in Shreveport, Louisiana.  Shreveport police and SWAT executed a warrant at one of Harp’s Earl Street residences. During a search of a shed on the property, police found 137.080 grams of powder cocaine, three sets of digital scales, a Ruger .44-caliber revolver and an Olympic Arms Inc. SGW & Safari Arms AR-15.  Harp is a convicted felon and pleaded guilty in 2010 to one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Harp faces up to 20 years in prison for drug distribution and five years in prison for firearm’s possession.  He also faces up to five years of supervised release and a $1 million fine.  The court set the sentencing date for March 29, 2019. 

The ATF, DEA, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath is prosecuting the case. 

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   The Justice Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, PSN was reinvigorated and all U.S. Attorney’s Offices were directed to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

LAFAYETTE/LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that two illegal aliens were sentenced and one pleaded guilty after arrests that took place in Calcasieu and St. Mary parishes.

Illegal alien from Mexico arrested in St. Mary Parish pleads guilty to drugs, firearms charges

LAFAYETTE - Raymundo Pizano-Montes, 38, of Mexico, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Whitehurst to one count of possession with intent to distribute LSD and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to the guilty plea, a St. Mary Parish deputy pulled over a Mazda SUV for a traffic violation. Pizaono-Montes was one of five occupants in the vehicle. The deputy searched the vehicle and found $14,582; 319 dosage units of LSD; 82 Xanax pills; marijuana paraphernalia; a scale; and 12 firearms. The defendant stated he was a Mexican citizen who buys and sells firearms and drugs. Pizano-Montes was deported in 2010 after having been convicted in California for second degree battery and had re-entered the United States illegally. 

Pizano-Montes faces 15 to 25 years in prison, four years of supervised release and a $5 million fine. The court set sentencing for March 1, 2019.

Homeland Security Investigations, ATF and St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.

Illegal alien from Mexico arrested in Calcasieu Parish and sentenced for illegal re-entry 

LAKE CHARLES - Alfredo Sanchez-Hernandez, 39, of Mexico, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien. According to the August 28, 2018 guilty plea, Sanchez-Hernandez was found in Calcasieu Parish on March 5, 2018 to be in the United States illegally. After further investigation, law enforcement agents discovered that Sanchez-Hernandez had been previously removed from the United States on four occasions with the most recent being on February 15, 2010 near San Ysidro, California.  The defendant was convicted in California in May of 2000 for possession of heroin and was not allowed to re-enter the United States.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips is prosecuting the case.  The defendant was remanded to the custody of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings. 

Illegal alien from Honduras sentenced for illegally re-entering U.S. four times

LAKE CHARLES - Boney D. Cruz-Funez, 33, of Progresso, Honduras, was sentenced Tuesday to 10 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count of illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien.  According to the June 20, 2018 guilty plea, on April 11, 2018, Sulphur police conducted a traffic stop on Cruz-Funez’s vehicle on Interstate 10.  After the stop, he admitted to being in the country illegally.  Cruz-Funez was removed from the United States previously on four occasions with the last removal taking place in May 2013 from San Antonio, Texas.

United States Border Patrol and the Sulphur Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that two Lake Charles defendants were sentenced this week for kidnapping a Texas man after a failed drug deal.  Justin Fry, 35, was sentenced to 292 months in prison, and James Coleman, 34, was sentenced to 242 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter for interstate kidnapping.  The defendants, both of Lake Charles, were also sentenced to five years of supervised release.

According to the guilty pleas, the defendants traveled to Liberty, Texas, on April 6, 2016 to buy methamphetamine from a contact.  In order to complete the sale, the contact rode with the defendants to Houston on April 8, 2018 to meet a second contact who had the methamphetamine.  Instead of selling the drugs, the Houston contact robbed the defendants, and the contact from Liberty left with him.  Fry and Coleman followed them until they saw the Liberty man jump out of the moving car, at which time they retrieved the bloodied victim, duct taped his hands and covered his eyes.  The defendants later beat and threatened to kill him in an attempt to force him to pay back the $1,300.  After making several phone calls, the victim was unable to get the money.  The defendants then decided to drive back to Louisiana, stopped at a gas station in Beaumont where they placed the victim in the trunk, and then drove on to a Vinton, Louisiana, casino where he escaped and called law enforcement.  The defendants’ cell phones were searched and conversations about the drug deal were found in addition to videos of the beatings.

“This case is an example of the violence that results from illegal drug deals,” Joseph stated. “Thankfully no one was killed in this incident, but it demonstrates that drug trafficking often leads to all manner of violence. I want to thank the law enforcement agents who saved the victim in this case and brought the defendants to justice.”

“Methamphetamine is a highly addictive plague that routinely inflicts dramatic health and safety consequences upon communities where it’s introduced,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans Jere T. Miles. “This case clearly illustrates the violence that often permeates illegal drug trafficking, and today’s sentencing is a testament to the excellent working relationship between HSI and its local law enforcement partners to protect the public from these violent criminal networks and the lawlessness they spread.”

Sarah Paxton, 25, of Lake Charles, was also charged with kidnapping. Her sentencing date is scheduled for December 17, 2018.

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

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a federal grand jury returned a three-count superseding indictment charging a convicted felon from Mexico with illegally re-entering the United States and firearm possession.

Shandy Salgado-Almendaris, 39, of Mexico, was charged with one count of re-entry of a removed alien, one count of alien in possession of a firearm and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  He also faces state charges in Bossier Parish including production/cultivation of marijuana, resisting an officer, aggravated battery, illegal possession of a weapon and possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. According to the indictment, Salgado-Almendaris was found in Bossier Parish on August 9, 2018 in possession of an RG Industries .22 caliber revolver.  He was also found to be an illegal alien who had been previously removed from the United States three times in September 2010, November 2010 and September 2013.

The defendant faces 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, restitution, forfeiture and three years of supervised release for each firearm count.

United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Bossier Parish Narcotics Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan 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. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that officials of Explo Systems, Inc., were sentenced for their roles in a criminal conspiracy.  “The defendants sentenced today used Camp Minden here in Northwest Louisiana as the largest illegal dumping ground of military explosives in the history of the United States – at over 15.6 million pounds of explosives,” United States Attorney David C. Joseph stated.  “I want to thank our federal and state law enforcement partners for their commitment to protecting Louisiana’s citizens and environment.  Those who endanger the safety of our community to satisfy their own greed will be held accountable.”

United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced the following defendants:

Co-owner David Alan Smith, 63, of Winchester, Kentucky, to 55 months in prison, three years of supervised release and $34,798,761 restitution for participating in the criminal conspiracy.

Vice President of Operations William Terry Wright, 65, of Bossier City, Louisiana, to 60 months in prison, three years of supervised release and $149,032.80 restitution for participating in the criminal conspiracy.

Director of Support Technology Charles Ferris Callihan, 69, of Shreveport, to 24 months in prison, one year of supervised release and $207,599 restitution for making false representations in documents.

M6 Demil Program Manager Kenneth Wayne Lampkin, 66, of Haughton, Louisiana, to 45 months in prison, three years of supervised release and $149,032.80 restitution for making false statements.

Traffic and Inventory Control Manager Lionel Wayne Koons, 59, of Haughton, to 41 months in prison, three years of supervised release and $92,921 restitution for making false statements.

Explo Systems Inc., was a private company whose primary business operations involved the demilitarization of military munitions and the subsequent resale of recovered explosive materials for mining operations.  The U.S. Army awarded Explo an $8.6 million contract to demilitarize approximately 1.35 million propelling charges containing M6 propellant, a solid, granular, explosive material, to lawfully store them, and to handle the final disposition of the explosives.  Explo represented that it intended to sell and reuse the M6 propellant to third parties.  Upon the sale of the M6 propellant, the contract also required Explo to document the sale and certify to the Army its compliance of the sale with federal laws, by submitting official certificates to the Army. 

The defendants conspired from January 2010 to November 2012 to defraud the United States by submitting false certificates to the U.S. Army, transporting hazardous wastes to unpermitted facilities, and improperly storing the explosives causing the government to pay money to the conspirators to which they were not entitled.  From June 2011 through October 2012, Explo officials submitted false certificates to the Army showing sales of demilitarized M6 propellant to third parties, when in fact the sales did not occur.  Explo officials, including Wright, also did not inform or notify the third-parties that Explo submitted the executed certificates to the Army as proof of sale of demilitarized M6.  Wright submitted the certificates with forged and or fabricated signatures. 

As part of the conspiracy, Smith included false and misleading statements in the proposal for the demilitarization contract regarding, among other things, Explo’s storage capacity and ability to dispose of demilitarized M6 Propellant.  Wright, Koons, and others instructed lower level employees to move and improperly store M6 propellant in order to prevent government officials from discovering the improperly stored M6 propellant.  Wright and others also instructed lower-level employees to hide and conceal improperly stored reactive hazardous waste from government officials during inspections.  Furthermore, Callihan submitted false documents to landfills in Louisiana and Arkansas representing that the waste Explo shipped to the landfills was not hazardous, when in fact the waste was D003 reactive hazardous waste.  The landfills were not legally permitted to receive hazardous waste.

On October 15, 2012, an explosion occurred at a munitions storage bunker at Camp Minden, which was leased by Expo from the Louisiana Military Department.  The explosion contained approximately 124,190 pounds of smokeless powder and a box van trailer containing approximately 42,240 pounds of demilitarized M6 propellant.  The damage destroyed the bunker and trailer, shattered windows of dwellings within a four-mile radius, derailed 11 rail cars near the storage bunker and led to the evacuation of the town of Doyline, Louisiana.   

 “Our nation’s environmental laws demand that hazardous wastes be handled safely and legally,” said Jessica Taylor, Director of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division.  “Protecting public health and safety is EPA’s core mission.  When businesses choose profit over safety, they often endanger not only the environment but American lives.”

“The fact that individuals would knowingly and willingly place the citizens of Louisiana in danger is indeed disturbing,” stated Colonel Kevin Reeves, State Police Superintendent. “The decision to sentence these individuals is the culmination of an exhaustive investigation by the Louisiana State Police Emergency Services Unit working directly with our local and federal partners.  I am appreciative of all their efforts.”

 “The sentencing of these five subjects should be a very clear warning to those who attempt to defraud the U.S. Government,” said Frank Robey, director of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit.  “Aside from the monetary fraud, these subjects wantonly placed the lives of so many at risk.  Our special agents, along with our federal law enforcement partners, not only recouped money, but may have just saved the lives of those working at the facility and the surrounding area from a larger disaster.”

“Today’s sentencings represent the results of an uncompromising and tenacious investigation by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), other agency partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said John F. Khin, Special Agent in Charge, DCIS-Southeast Field Office.  “DCIS remains committed to pursuing Government contractors who choose profit and expediency over quality and safety, and bringing to justice anyone who violates the law through  fraud and deception to undermine the critical missions of the Department of Defense and threaten the safety of our communities.”

“We believe today’s sentencing sends a strong message to those responsible for properly handling and disposing of explosive material,” said Todd Damiani, Regional Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.  “Working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will continue our vigorous efforts to protect against those who would risk the safety of the public and the environment for personal gain.”

“The actions of these defendants in the Explo case resulted in millions of dollars of expense for state and federal agencies,” said Dr. Chuck Carr Brown, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.  “Hours of investigation went into their prosecution, and hundreds and thousands of man hours went into the resolution of the environmental disaster they created. When individuals willfully and knowingly commit crimes that endanger human health and the environment, they must face the strictest penalties under the law.  I applaud the work of the investigative team that brought the charges against these individuals and the attorneys who successfully prosecuted the case. This outcome should stand as a lesson to those who are tempted to flout environmental regulations and laws: there will be a reckoning.”

Smith pleaded guilty December 14, 2017 to the conspiracy count and one count of making a false statement; Koons pleaded guilty on April 24, 2018, to one count of making a false statement; Lampkin pleaded guilty May 14, 2018, to one count of making a false statement; and Callihan pleaded guilty on June 8, 2018, to a one-count bill of information charging false representations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency-Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation, Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, FBI, Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General, Louisiana State Police-Emergency Service Unit, Webster Parish District Attorney J. Schuyler Marvin, and the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl M. Campbell and J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. – The Justice Department and U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that former Richwood Correctional Center officer Demario Shaffer pleaded guilty Monday 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. 

Shaffer, 33, of Delhi, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to conspiring to falsify documents with the intent to obstruct and influence a matter within federal jurisdiction. Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division and David C. Joseph, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, made the announcement.

“A correctional officer who uses excessive force against an inmate and then falsifies official reports violates the Constitution and its provision to protect all incarcerated offenders from cruel and unusual punishment,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband.  “The Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute such misconduct to ensure the integrity of our civil rights laws.”

“Correctional officers are not allowed to abuse prisoners,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph.  “They must follow the law and not use their position of authority to assault those under their supervision.”

According to his guilty plea, Shaffer worked as a Sergeant at the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, 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.  Shaffer 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. Shaffer is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1, 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, 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.

The Justice Department today announced that former Richwood Correctional Center officer Demario Shaffer pleaded guilty on Monday 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.  Shaffer, 33, of Delhi, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to conspiring to falsify documents with the intent to obstruct and influence 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.

“A correctional officer who uses excessive force against an inmate and then falsifies official reports violates the Constitution and its provision to protect all incarcerated offenders from cruel and unusual punishment,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. "The Justice Department will continue to prosecute aggressively any similarly disgraceful and unlawful misconduct to ensure the integrity of our civil rights laws." 

“Correctional officers are not allowed to abuse prisoners,” said United States Attorney David C. Joseph.  “They must follow the law and not use their position of authority to assault those under their supervision.”

According to his guilty plea, Shaffer worked as a Sergeant at the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana, where on Oct. 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. Shaffer 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. Shaffer is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1, 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.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Tennessee man was sentenced Tuesday to eight years in prison for receiving sexually explicit images from a Louisiana minor. 

Dustin Ray Spears Sr., 28, of Athens, Tennessee, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee. D. Drell on one count of receiving child pornography. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and is required to register as a sex offender. According to the August 7, 2018 guilty plea, Spears began conversing online in June of 2017 with a 15-year-old minor female from Louisiana. In October of 2017, he traveled to northern Louisiana and had sexual intercourse with the minor. After learning of the relationship, the female’s sister informed authorities. Law enforcement agents then searched Spears’ phone and found sexually explicit images. After reviewing email and online chat messages, agents determined that Spears had enticed the minor to send images and video of herself.

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.

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

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Lafayette man was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in prison for conspiring with three others to sell heroin.

Terrence T. Woods, 33, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  He was also sentenced to four years of supervised release.  According to the September 20, 2017 guilty plea, Woods conspired to distribute heroin in the Acadiana area in 2016 and 2017, along with his co-conspirators, Joshua Edwards, 32, of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana; Jacobe Arceneaux, 34, and Robert Jenkins, 36, both of Lafayette, Louisiana.

Edwards was found guilty after a three-day trial that ended August 1, 2018 on the conspiracy charge and was sentenced October 31, 2018 to 10 years in prison and eight years of supervised release. Arceneaux pleaded guilty on July 13, 2017 to distributing heroin and was sentenced October 9, 2018 to 80 months in prison and four years of supervised release.  Jenkins pleaded guilty on January 11, 2018 to distributing heroin, and he was sentenced on May 8, 2018 to 90 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

The defendants were arrested as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) “Operation Toxic Mix.”  The FBI, DEA, Lafayette Metro Narcotics and other law enforcement agencies conducted the investigation.  The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations,  coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources, and disrupting and dismantling of major drug trafficking organizations.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert C. Abendroth and Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – A senior leader of the Aryan Circle (AC) and a gang member were sentenced today for being an accessory-after-the-fact to racketeering murder, announced U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph of the Western District of Louisiana and Assistant Attorney General Bryan A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

United States District Court Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced David Wayne Williams, 38, of Sulphur, Louisiana, a senior leader in the gang, was sentenced to serve 157 months in prison and four years of supervised release and Richard Alan Smith, 47, of Little Rock, Arkansas was sentenced to serve 150 months in prison to be served consecutive to his current state charges and three years of supervised. 

On Aug. 22, 2018, Williams pleaded guilty to the charge of accessory-after-the-fact to racketeering murder of Clifton Hallmark, drug trafficking and weapons possession.  On July 25, 2018, Smith pleaded guilty to the accessory-after-the-fact charge.     

According to the plea agreement, the AC is a race-based, multi-state organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout Texas, Louisiana, and the United States.  The AC was established in the mid-1980s within the Texas prison system (TDCJ).  Recently, the AC’s structure and influence expanded to rural and suburban areas throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri.  The AC emerged as an independent organization during a period of turmoil within the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT).  The AC was relatively small in comparison to other prison-based gangs, but grew in stature and influence within TDCJ in the 1990s, largely through violent conflict with other gangs, white and non-white alike. 

The plea agreement further alleges that the AC enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the organization.  Members, and oftentimes associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members without question.

In pleading guilty to the accessory charge, Williams and Smith admitted to being accessories to the murder of Hallmark on or around July 1, 2016, when a fellow AC member shot Hallmark in the side of his head at point blank range at an AC “church” meeting in Turkey Creek, Louisiana.  Williams and Smith both admitted to being members of the AC criminal enterprise.  Williams admitted to being a senior leader of the gang.

This case is being investigated by an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Prisons; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Louisiana State Police; Evangeline Parish, (LA) Sheriff’s Office; Evangeline Parish District Attorney’s Office; Texas Department of Public Safety; Houston Police Department-Gang Division; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; New Jersey Department of Corrections-Special Investigations Division; Arnold (MO) Police Department; Jefferson County (MO) Sheriff’s Department; St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; St. Louis County (MO) Police Department; Montgomery County (TX) Precinct 1 Constable’s Office; Indiana State Police; Indiana Department of Corrections; Carrollton (TX) Police Department; Waller (TX) Police Department; Montgomery County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; Travis County (TX) Sheriff’s Office and the Tarrant County (TX) Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti of the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney David Karpel of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.

LAKE CHARLES/SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that two felons pleaded guilty and one was sentenced for possession of firearms.

Starks man pleads guilty to possessing three firearms 

Ronald Joseph Guillory, 44, of Starks, Louisiana, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.  The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter.  According to the guilty plea, when Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s officers responded to a disturbance on April 6, 2018 at a home near Vinton, Louisiana, they found Guillory sitting inside of his truck in the driveway.  After the officers approached the vehicle, they noticed drug paraphernalia and arrested Guillory.  They found a Stevens .16-gauge single-shot shotgun, a Marlin .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle, a Cobra .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition on the back seat.  Guillory admitted to the officers he was in possession of the weapons.  Guillory was convicted in February of 2007 of simple burglary, which is a felony.

Guillory faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for March 25, 2019. The ATF and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger is prosecuting the case. 

Felon from Plain Dealing pleads guilty to possessing shotgun

Johann Gary Barnes, 47, of Plain Dealing, Louisiana, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, Benton police pulled over Barnes’ pickup truck on January 29, 2018.  During a search of the truck, officers noticed a small amount of marijuana in the center console and found a loaded sawed-off shotgun at the foot of the driver’s seat.  Barnes was convicted on March 1, 2004 in Caddo Parish for possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug, and was also convicted on September 27, 2005 for possession of a firearm by a felon. 

Barnes faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for February 28, 2019. The ATF and the Benton Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford is prosecuting the case.

New Iberia felon sentenced for possessing firearm purchased at Lafayette store, later used in video

Jaymie Williams, 22, of New Iberia, Louisiana, was sentenced today to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release.  According to the August 22, 2018 guilty plea, Williams was present when a Century Arms, Model RAS47 firearm was purchased on March 11, 2018 at a sporting goods store in Lafayette.  After the firearm was purchased, Williams possessed it on numerous occasions and featured it in one of his music videos entitled “BG Flow.”  In the video, Williams handled the firearm in many scenes, and confirmed that the firearm in the video was the actual RAS47 and not a prop.  He also possessed the firearm on April 18, 2018 when he entered a Lafayette gun shop with the firearm in his hands.  Williams was convicted of a felony in 2017 that prohibited him from possessing a firearm.

The ATF and Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.

Thes cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   The Justice Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, PSN was reinvigorated and all U.S. Attorney’s Offices were directed to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a North Carolina woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring with her ex-husband to illegally obtain health care benefits from the Department of Defense Health Program, Tricare. 

Amanda Elise Morphis, 26, of Sanford, North Carolina, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. According to the guilty plea, Morphis divorced U.S. Army Sergeant Nathan Chance Louvier, 30, of Deridder, Louisiana, on December 6, 2011.  For more than two years after their divorce, Morphis and Louvier falsely represented to the Defense Department, the Army and Tricare that they were married so that Morphis could receive health care benefits from Tricare after her entitlement to benefits had ended.  Between December 7, 2011 and February 2014, Tricare paid $143,387.56, in fraudulent claims for Morphis’ health care benefits.

United States Army regulations and federal statutes require military service members to update the Defense Enrollment Eligibility System within 30 days of events such as a death or divorce that change the status a service member’s dependents.

Louvier pleaded guilty to conspiracy on October 3, 2018. The defendants face a maximum of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and mandatory restitution to repay Tricare $143,387.56 for paid fraudulent claims. The court set Louvier’s sentencing for January 9, 2019 and Morphis’ sentencing for February 13, 2019.

The Fort Polk - Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that an Arnaudville man was sentenced to 90 years in prison for producing child pornography.

Joseph Martin, 35, of Arnaudville, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on three counts of production of child pornography.  He was also sentenced to 20 years of supervised release if he is ever released and must register as a sex offender.  According to the June 4, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Martin’s property and found electronic storage devices in a shed on the property.  Upon review of the electronic storage devices, agents found numerous videos of child pornography that Martin had made.  Some of the child pornography depicted a child of approximately 4 years old and others depicted a child of approximately 10 months old.  The images dated back to 2015.

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.           

Those concerned may leave tips with the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Tips may be submitted anonymously. The Lafayette FBI office number is (337) 262-2164.

The FBI conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Abendroth prosecuted the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that nine illegal aliens pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison for re-entering the United States after being previously removed.

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

According to the guilty pleas on October 15, 2018, Louisiana State Police arrested  the defendants on June 15, 2018 near Lake Charles, Louisiana:  Edgar Escobar-Perez, 19, Rosa Garcia-Aguilar, 26, Manuel Lopez-Lopez, 24, Adan Baten-Perez, 35, Migdalia Baten-Perez, 32, Oscar Chavajay-Lopez, 21, Enericto Lopez-Baten, 38, and Eddy Siney-Sajquiy, 24, all of Guatemala, and Julio Cesar Juarez-Nieves, 27, of Mexico.

Manuel Lopez-Lopez has been previously removed to Guatemala three times.  He was first arrested on January 29, 2015 near Rio Grande City, Texas, and removed February 3, 2015.  After that, he was arrested on January 20, 2018 near Laredo, Texas, and removed on January 30, 2018, and again arrested on April 3, 2018 near Rio Grande City, Texas, and removed on April 12, 2018;

Julio Juarez-Nieves has been previously removed to Mexico twice.  He was first arrested on April 7, 2011 and removed to Mexico on April 11, 2011.  After that, he was arrested once more on May 29, 2018 near Brownsville, Texas, and removed again on May 31, 2018;

Edgar Escobar-Perez has been previously removed to Guatemala twice.  He was removed on January 31, 2018 after being arrested on November 28, 2017 near Laredo, Texas, and on May 11, 2018 after being arrested on March 22, 2018 near Harlingen, Texas; 

Eddy Siney-Sajquiy has been previously removed on February 27, 2015 after being arrested on February 24, 2015, near Hidalgo, Texas;

Enericto Lopez-Baten has been previously removed to Guatemala on March 19, 2012 after being arrested on March 5, 2012 near Rio Grande City, Texas;

Rosa Garcia-Aguilar has been previously removed to Guatemala on January 23, 2018 after being arrested on November 17, 2017 near Laredo, Texas;

Adan Baten-Perez and Migdalia Baten-Perez have been previously removed to Guatemala on April 12, 2018 after being arrested on April 3, 2018 in Rio Grande City, Texas; and

Oscar Chavajay-Lopez has been previously removed to Guatemala on April 25, 2018 after being arrested on March 27, 2018 in Casa Grande, Arizona.

The U.S. Border Patrol and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case. 

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that three illegal aliens arrested in northwest Louisiana pleaded guilty and were sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to terms of imprisonment for re-entering the United States after having been removed.

Juan Antonio Morales De Dios, 33, of Mexico.  According to the guilty plea, a Sabine Parish Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on Morales De Dios’ vehicle October 7, 2018.  Pursuant to the request of the deputy, a U.S. Border Patrol agent conducted a check on the defendant and found that he had already been deported twice.  He was removed from the United States on February 9, 2006 and January 29, 2016.  United States Border Patrol and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.

Jose Orlando Garcia-Mejia, 32, of Mexico.  According to the guilty plea, Bossier City police detained Garcia-Mejia on June 2, 2018.  After investigating his background, law enforcement agents found that Garcia-Mejia had already been removed from the United States on two prior occasions.  He was found on December 11, 2017 in Bossier City and was later removed; he was also found on March 27, 2018 in Del Rio, Texas, and was later removed. Homeland Security Investigations and Bossier City Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case. 

Juan Cardona-Quiroz, 23, of Honduras.  According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents detained Cardona-Quiroz on October 2, 2018 in Bossier City, Louisiana, and learned that he was an illegal alien who had been removed from the United States on two occasions.  He was found in Texas on March 1, 2013 and later removed; he was also found on January 9, 2014 in Bossier City and later removed.  Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten prosecuted the case. 

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

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Calhoun woman was sentenced last week to a year in prison for stealing more than $100,000 of government money, to which she was not entitled, from her deceased mother’s account.

Megan Elliott Wilson, 43, of Calhoun, Louisiana, was sentenced on November 7, 2018 by U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty on one count of theft of government funds. She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $102,604.75 in restitution.  According to the October 31, 2017 guilty plea, Anne Elliott, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Social Security Administration (SSA) program beneficiary, died in August of 2009.  The government agencies were initially unaware of Elliott’s death and paid $77,942.75 in VA benefits and $24,662 in SSA benefits via direct deposit to a bank account in Elliott’s name.  Upon learning of Elliott’s death, the agencies attempted to reclaim the funds, but the funds had been fraudulently withdrawn from the account by Elliott’s daughter, Megan Elliott Wilson, who accessed the funds online and forged checks on the account converting the funds to her own use.  The total loss to the government is $102,604.75.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General and the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph joined Brigadier General Patrick D. Frank, the Commanding General of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, at Fort Polk’s Veterans Day Ceremony on November 8, 2018.

The event was sponsored by the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk to thank and honor veterans who have served our country.  During the event, a special tribute was also held honoring veterans returning from the Vietnam War with a “Welcome Home" ceremony, where more than 125 veterans of the Vietnam War gathered in the 1st Battalion, 5th Aviation Regiment Hangar at Polk Army Airfield. 

“It is an honor to participate in the Veterans Day Ceremony at Fort Polk,” Joseph stated.  “I hope everyone takes some time this weekend to remember and thank veterans for their service.  We owe a debt of gratitude to all of the men and women who serve and have served our nation and safeguarded our freedoms.”

✶ DUTY ✶ HONOR ✶ SERVICE ✶

 UNITED STATES ATTORNEY DAVID C. JOSEPH RECOGNIZES WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA VETERANS 

United States Attorney David C. Joseph also recognizes staff members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. District Court System of the Western District of Louisiana who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and thanks them for their service. 

Western District of Louisiana employees being honored for their service are:

            United States Army – George Barrows (National Guard), Ken Blanchard (National Guard), Kevin Bodden, Gerald Boutte (National Guard), Chris Cantrell, Jeremy D. Cook, U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell, George Durling, Bryan Firmin (National Guard), Andy Fontenot, Shervonne Gallow, Kyle Greenwood, Doug Herman, Charles, Hill, Charles Huggins, Valerie Joffrion (Reserves), Matthew Johnson, Billy Jordan, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph, C. Vincent Mangum, Joseph T. Mickel, Clint Mitchell, Sean Myrick, Chris Plants, Edward Prokopf, Cyrus Smith, U.S. District Judge Tom Stagg (deceased), Fifth Circuit Chief Judge Carl E. Stewart (retired), Warren Stutts, Michael J. Touchet (National Guard), Chris Turner, U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter, Dennis Warwick, Terrence Webb, and Garrett Wilson.

            United States Navy – Jonathan F. Hendricks, Daniel J. McCoy, Carl A. Richard, and Anthony Robert (Naval Reserve).

            United States Coast Guard - Dennis K. Austin and U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna.

            United States Marine Corps – Jerry Alan Alkire, David Fero, Jerry Stanley Hayden, Angelo Iorio, Joshua Matte, Earl Peavy, and Abner K. Williamson.

            United Stated Air Force – Kelly Adams (Active), Michael J. Chavis, Robert Crocker, David Ellis, Samuel W. Glass Sr., Joseph Lance Lopez, John S. Odom Jr., F. Michael O’Mara, James Savoie, William Scullin, Dean Stansbury, U.S. District Judge James T. Trimble Jr., Howard White, and U.S. Marshal Henry L. Whitehorn Sr.

United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that two illegal aliens from Mexico pleaded guilty this week to re-entering the United States after having been previously removed twice.

SHREVEPORT, La. – On August 24, 2018, Alfredo Holguin-Mendez, 34, of Mexico, was arrested in Shreveport for solicitation of prostitution.  After law enforcement determined he was in the United States illegally, Homeland Security Investigations agents took custody of Holguin-Mendez and learned that he had previously been deported twice.  In 2005, Holguin-Mendez pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated with a child passenger in Midland, Texas, and was removed to Mexico in 2006 after serving his sentence.  In 2008, Holguin-Mendez was arrested after a traffic stop for illegal re-entry into the United States and was subsequently removed.  In 2011, Shreveport police arrested Holguin-Mendez for possession of cocaine to which he pleaded guilty.  Holguin-Mendez was sentenced to time served and released before Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could take custody of him.  He remained a fugitive until his August 2018 arrest.

Holguin-Mendez faces 10 years to life in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for February 26, 2019.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara is prosecuting the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – After being arrested in Calcasieu Parish, Salvador Julian Vasquez-Esquivel, 35, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien.  According to the complaint and the guilty plea, a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle Vasquez-Esquivel was in on August, 16, 2018.  Pursuant to a request by the deputy, a U.S. Border Patrol agent conducted a records check on the defendant and discovered that he had been removed from the United Stated twice before with the most recent occurring on December 18, 2015.

Vasquez-Esquivel faces up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for March 26, 2019.

United States Border Patrol and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Forrest Phillips is prosecuting the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Dallas felon was sentenced Wednesday to 84 months in prison for possessing a pistol found during a traffic stop in northeast Louisiana. 

Steve Scott, 40, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced 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 July 26, 2018 guilty plea, Louisiana State Police troopers conducted a stop on Scott’s vehicle for a traffic violation while he was traveling in northeast Louisiana.  After searching the vehicle, troopers found a Stallard pistol, Model JS-9, 9 mm caliber, bearing serial number 067896, loaded with nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition.  Scott has a prior felony conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in Dallas County, Texas. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   The Justice Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, PSN was reinvigorated and all U.S. Attorney’s Offices were directed to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The ATF and the Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport man pleaded guilty Monday to stealing at least $27,000 of his children’s Social Security benefits. 

Dianglo Shawntale Mahoney, 51, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of theft of government property. According to the guilty plea, Mahoney applied for and began receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) disability payments starting in July of 2013.  Mahoney also applied for and began receiving auxiliary benefits for his two minor children. The SSA paid Mahoney at least $27,000 for the benefit of his children.  Mahoney never gave the children the money, but he kept the money and used it for his himself.

Mahoney faces 10 years in prison, not more than three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for February 7, 2019.

The Social Security Administration conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that the former St. Martinville, Louisiana, Police Department (SMPD) Deputy Chief of Investigations, Codi Dodge, 35, was found guilty today in the Western District of Louisiana of four felony counts, including a civil rights violation for using excessive force against an arrestee, and three counts of obstruction and conspiracy to cover up the incident.   

After five days of trial, the jury convicted Dodge of using excessive force on an arrestee, in violation of the arrestee’s Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unreasonable force. The jury also convicted Dodge of obstructing justice by falsifying records related to the unlawful use of force incident, and by conspiring with other members of the St. Martinville Police Department to cover up his actions.

“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 Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Gore. “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. My office will hold them accountable.”

Evidence presented at trial established that, on August 13, 2016, Dodge forced entry into the home of an individual he suspected had stolen from him. After unlawfully entering the individual’s home, Dodge threatened the individual before striking him in the face with a firearm, causing bodily injury. Dodge then arrested the individual, and brought him back to the St. Martinville Police Department, where Dodge continued to threaten him. After learning that the incident had been reported to the FBI, Dodge conspired with other members of the St. Martinville Police Department to falsify reports regarding the incident, and to mislead the FBI in its investigation of the matter.

Dodge faces a statutory maximum of 55 years in prison, though the actual sentence will be set by the court at a later date.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Lafayette, Louisiana, Resident Agency. The case is being 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.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a DeRidder man was sentenced last week to 120 months in prison for possessing child pornography after previously being convicted of that same crime. 

Edward Lee Daughenbaugh, 51, of DeRidder, Louisiana, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possession of child pornography. The defendant was also sentenced to supervised release for the rest of his life. According to the July 26, 2018 guilty plea, a U.S. Probation and Parole agent conducted an unannounced visit May 9, 2018 on Daughenbaugh, who had previously been convicted of possession of child pornography and was on supervised release. The agent found Daughenbaugh with a cell phone that had access to the internet, which the defendant was barred from possessing. The agent took possession of the cell phone, analyzed it forensically and found approximately 40 child pornography videos of young children under the age of 12. A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s home, and law enforcement found a notebook that contained key word searches that could be used to find prepubescent child pornography. Daughenbaugh later admitted in an interview to downloading the child pornography.

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.

Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Probation and Parole, Louisiana State Police and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a Lafayette man was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for possessing a stolen pistol he had purchased on the street. 

Paul Sidney Breaux, 37, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possession of a stolen firearm. According to the August 2, 2018 guilty plea, Lafayette police arrested Breaux on May 1, 2018. At the time of his arrest, he possessed a Springfield Armory Model 1911 pistol and was aware it was stolen. He told officers he had purchased the firearm five days earlier on the street from some younger males. Breaux is also a felon who has been convicted of aggravated battery, possession of cocaine and aggravated robbery. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The ATF and the Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – Racehorse training-center operator Evangeline Enterprises LLC of Carencro, Louisiana, has agreed to pay $300,000 in civil penalties and to make changes in its handling of polluted wastewater at its Louisiana facility to settle Clean Water Act claims filed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), the Department of Justice and EPA announced today.

The settlement, contained in a proposed consent decree lodged today with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, resolves claims by EPA and LDEQ in a complaint filed on October 19, 2017.  The complaint alleged that Evangeline is illegally discharging process wastewater, contaminated with horse manure, urine, and other biological materials, from its facility into the Vermilion River and its tributary Francois Coulee, in violation of the Clean Water Act and the Louisiana Environmental Quality Act.

“Louisiana is a beautiful state with a vast, diverse, ecosystem that is rich in natural resources, including its rivers, bayous, and coastal waters,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. “My office is committed to protecting these treasures from those who would illegally exploit or damage them. Today’s settlement is but one example of my commitment to aggressively prosecute, both civilly and criminally, those who poison Louisiana's environment and to seek restitution for any damages they inflict.”

“This agreement is the result of extensive cooperation between the state of Louisiana and EPA,” said Regional Administrator Anne Idsal for EPA Region 6. “Ensuring the lawful handling of wastes will mean cleaner streams and waterways in Louisiana, which is important for aquatic habitats, safe drinking water, and public recreation.”

Under the Clean Water Act, facilities like Evangeline’s that house more than 150 horses for 45 days or more in any 12-month period and discharge pollutants must obtain a permit and comply with rules to ensure that pollutants, including contaminated process wastewater, is not discharged to waters of the United States or waters of the State. Evangeline discharged process wastewater into drainage ditches and pipes at the facility that then flowed into the Francois Coulee and Vermilion River. To correct this, the retention control structure required under the settlement agreement will store all process wastewater at the facility and allow it to be routed for proper treatment to stop the unauthorized discharges to the Francois Coulee and Vermilion River.

Under the settlement, Evangeline will pay the civil penalties and submit an application for a Louisiana National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, comply with best management practices for waste at the facility, and construct a waste retention control structure in compliance with federal and state regulations. In the event that Evangeline chooses to close the facility, the agreement provides alternative measures to require the company to eliminate further discharges of pollution into area waterways.

The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30-day federal public comment period, a 45-day Louisiana public comment period, and final 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.html.

For more information on the settlement, visit the EPA’s website at: www.epa.gov/enforcement/evangeline-enterprises-llc-settlement-information-sheet.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a Breaux Bridge man was sentenced to 120 months in prison for conspiring with three Lafayette residents to sell heroin.

Joshua Edwards, 32, of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  Edwards was also sentenced to eight years of supervised release. The defendant was found guilty after a three-day trial that ended August 1, 2018. Evidence admitted at trial revealed that Edwards, along with Jacobe Arceneaux, 34; Terrence T. Woods, 33; and Robert Jenkins, 36, all of Lafayette, conspired to distribute heroin in the Acadiana area in 2016 and 2017.

Arceneaux pleaded guilty on July 13, 2017 to distributing heroin, and was sentenced October 9, 2018 to 80 months in prison and four years of supervised release. Woods pleaded guilty on September 20, 2017 to distributing heroin, and he is awaiting sentencing. Jenkins pleaded guilty on January 11, 2018 to distributing heroin, and he was sentenced on May 8, 2018 to 90 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

The defendants were arrested as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) “Operation Hustle City.”  The FBI, DEA, Lafayette Metro Narcotics and other law enforcement agencies conducted the investigation.  The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations,  coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources, and disrupting and dismantling of major drug trafficking organizations.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert C. Abendroth and Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Ball felon pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally possessing a revolver and ammunition. 

Terrence Taylor, 38, of Ball, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the guilty plea, Alexandria police officers approached a vehicle at a local park. Taylor was in the driver’s seat with two passengers. After they exited the vehicle, officers noticed the handle of a firearm under the armrest of the driver’s seat. The firearm was a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver, which was loaded with six rounds. A warrant check revealed that Taylor had outstanding warrants for probation violations, and he was arrested at the scene. Taylor is a felon who has previously been convicted of forcible rape, illegal use of a weapon and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Taylor 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 1, 2019. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The ATF and the Alexandria Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, LAFAYETTE, MONROE, ALEXANDRIA, LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen King will lead his office’s Election Day monitoring as part of a greater Department of Justice program to monitor voting rights abuses and election fraud across the country.

“Every citizen has the right to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted,” Joseph said. “The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.  It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my office, the FBI or the Department’s Civil Rights Division.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur.  The Department’s long-standing Election Day program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them.  For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting, may violate federal voting rights law.  Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).

The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise, exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, Van Hook and King will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.  Van Hook can be reached by the public at our Shreveport office at 318-676-3600; and King can be reached at our Lafayette office at 337-262-6618.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day.  Local FBI field offices can be reached by the public in  Shreveport at 318-861-1890, Monroe at 318-387-0773, Alexandria at 318-443-5097, Lafayette at 337-233-2164 and Lake Charles at 318-433-6353.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, D.C., by phone at 1-800-253-3931 and 202-307-2767, fax at 202-307-3961, email to voting.section@usdoj.gov or complaint form at www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

“My office works hard to ensure that our District has free and fair elections,” Joseph stated. “We urge the public to report specific information about discrimination or election fraud immediately.”

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Springhill man pleaded guilty last week to supplying more than a kilogram of methamphetamine to a Bossier City woman. 

Marlon G. Gladney, 42, of Springhill, Louisiana, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on Gladney’s vehicle October 27, 2017. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a firearm, and Gladney was detained. During questioning, Gladney stated he distributed methamphetamine to Erin O’Daniel, 35, of Bossier City, Louisiana, who sold the drugs in the Shreveport/Bossier City area.  Gladney admitted providing at least 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine to O’Daniel during the previous three months. O’Daniel was later arrested. A total of 396.2 grams of methamphetamine was found in her vehicle and home.

Gladney faces 10 years to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for February 12, 2019. O’Daniel pleaded guilty on January 25, 2018 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. She faces 10 years to life in prison for the conspiracy count and five years for the firearms count to run consecutive to the conspiracy count. She also faces four years of supervised release and a $10 million fine. The court set a sentencing date of January 4, 2019.

The DEA, Louisiana State Police, Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office and Minden Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, LAFAYETTE, MONROE, ALEXANDRIA, LAKE CHARLES, La. – Mark your calendars for the annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to be held on Saturday, October 27, at various locations throughout Shreveport, Lafayette, Monroe, Alexandria and Lake Charles.

“Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an important service provided by the DEA and its law enforcement partners, and is a great opportunity for citizens to be a part of the fight against the opioid epidemic,” Joseph stated. “Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high.  This effort is a way to remove opioids and other drugs from our communities and reduce the chance of them finding their way into the wrong hands.  I would like to encourage everyone to join communities across the nation in this effort to safely and anonymously dispose of their expired and unused prescription medications.”

 “In the midst of this worst-ever opioid epidemic, where we’re losing over 166 people a day, it’s absolutely critical that we get unused prescription drugs out of homes and dispose of them safely at these Drug Take Back events,” said New Orleans Field Division DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam. “Unfortunately, these drugs are most often obtained from friends and family, who leave them in home medicine cabinets. This event provides citizens an easy and safe way to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs. Please do your part to keep our communities safe by participating in Saturday’s event.”

Last April, Americans turned in nearly 475 tons (949,046 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,700 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 15 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 10 million pounds—nearly 5,000 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

The DEA will have collection sites across the country on Saturday, October 27, for those who are interested in bringing their unused or expired prescription drugs for proper disposal.  Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites; liquids and needles or other sharp objects will not be accepted.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Prescription drugs can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:

 Shreveport

• Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s Safety Town in the parking lot of Summer Grove Baptist Church, 8910 Jewella Ave.

 Monroe

• Louisiana State Police, Troop F, 3811 Desiard St.
• Monroe Police Department, 700 Wood St.
• Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, 400 St. John St.

 Alexandria

• Louisiana State Police, Troop E, 1710 Odom St.
• Alexandria Police Department, 1000 Bolton Ave.

 Lafayette

• Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, 1825 W. Willow St.
• Louisiana State Police, Troop I, 121 E. Pont des Mouton Road
• Lafayette Police Department, University Hospitals and Clinics, 2390 W. Congress St.

 Lake Charles

• Lake Charles Police Department, Civic Center, 900 Lake Shore Drive

Please visit Takebackday.dea.gov or call 1-800-882-9539 for a complete list of collection sites.  Additionally, there are permanent drop-off boxes, which can also be found at Takebackday.dea.gov.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that the last defendant in a Winn Parish methamphetamine distribution ring pleaded guilty Monday before he was scheduled to go to trial.

Jeremy Laraun Mamon, 36, of Winnfield, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Mamon was one of 11 defendants named as part of an indictment filed September 28, 2017. According to the guilty plea, Mamon and 10 other defendants conspired to distribute methamphetamine in the Winn Parish area from October 2015 to September 2017. Ladarrius James Street, 35; Dexter Jerome Sapp, 39; Destiny Hamilton, 33; Kendrick Lamont Davenport, 44; Stephen Duncan Jr., 26; Delano C. Hall, 49; Michael Deangelo Hall, 33; and Xavier Deandre Powell, 29; all of Winnfield, as well as Cristina Daniela Santos, 26, of Los Angeles, California; and Rafael M. Powell, 33, of Atlanta, Louisiana, were also indicted.

Mamon faces 20 years to life in prison, at least 10 years of supervised release and a $20 million fine. The remaining defendants also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count. Santos, Street and Rafael Powell pleaded guilty on September 10, 2018 and are scheduled to be sentenced December 14, 2018. Sapp pleaded guilty April 16, 2018 and is scheduled to be sentenced November 20, 2018. Hamilton and Duncan pleaded guilty on July 5, 2018. Hamilton is scheduled to be sentenced November 19, 2018. Davenport pleaded June 27, 2018 and was sentenced on September 28, 2018 to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Delano Hall pleaded guilty on June 27, 2018 and is scheduled to be sentenced November 20, 2018. Michael Hall pleaded guilty on July 13, 2018. Xavier Powell pleaded guilty on August 27, 2018 and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 13, 2018.

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 are prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT/ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport felon and a Lafayette felon pleaded guilty to possessing firearms in two separate cases.

Shreveport felon pleads guilty to possessing revolver

Roderick Charles Scott, 43, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty October 10, 2018 before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. According to the guilty plea, Shreveport police responded to a shooting in the Hollywood area on June 23, 2017. Upon arrival, police observed an individual enter a home on Miles Street. Police ordered the individual out of the home and discovered it was Scott. When approached, he had a Rossi .38 special revolver clenched in his right hand. Police confiscated the gun and arrested Scott.

Scott faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for February 12, 2019. The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Crawford is prosecuting the case. 

Lafayette felon pleads guilty to possessing two firearms 

Kenyatta Edmond, 40, of Lafayette, Louisiana, pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the guilty plea, a concerned citizen reported on January 22, 2018 to Lafayette police that a man was unconscious 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. The officer saw a pistol in Edmond’s lap with his hand around the grip. The officer then ordered Edmond out of the vehicle and placed him under arrest. Edmond told the officer that he had a second firearm in the vehicle. The officer searched the vehicle and found a Berretta 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 Edmonds has four prior felony convictions.

Edmond faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for February 1, 2019. The ATF and the Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog is prosecuting the case.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Mexican national pleaded guilty last week to transporting nine illegal aliens in Calcasieu Parish. 

Felix Manuel Juarez-Peralta, 28, of Mexico, pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of illegal alien transportation. According to the 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.

One of the illegal aliens traveling in the vehicle was charged with illegal re-entry. Jonathan Flores-Hernandez, 22, of Mexico, pleaded guilty on Monday before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of re-entry of a removed alien and was sentenced to time served. He was previously arrested on April 30, 2018 near Rio Grande, Texas, and was deported to Mexico via the Hidalgo, Texas, port of entry on May 3, 2018.

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.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that an illegal alien from Mexico was sentenced Wednesday to seven years and six months in prison for using his phone and an online account to acquire and possess child pornography. 

Paul Armenta-Bojorquez, 34, of Sinaloa, Mexico, but who resided in Abbeville, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of child pornography. According to the May 16, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement agents interviewed Armenta-Bojorquez on November 13, 2017 regarding possession of child pornography. He told agents that he received child pornography through his phone and then transferred it onto an online account. Law enforcement agents reviewed the material found on the online account, and it contained child pornography. Some of the material was of children who were younger than 12.

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 and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crime Unit conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Crowley man pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing sexually explicit images of juveniles. 

Kenneth Poullard, 43, of Crowley, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of possessing child pornography. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents learned that Poullard was downloading child pornography to electronic devices in his home. Agents searched his home on March 13, 2014 and found a desktop computer containing 50 images of child pornography. Poullard, who was present at the time of the search, admitted to intentionally searching for and downloading images and video of child pornography.

Poullard faces up to 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release, registration as a sex offender and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for February 12 2019.

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.

Homeland Security Investigations and Louisiana Attorney General’s Office High Technology Crime Unit conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Broussard woman was sentenced Wednesday to 24 months in prison for embezzling almost $275,000 from bank customers. 

Derlena Carrier, 59, of Broussard, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of theft, embezzlement or misapplication by a bank officer or employee. She was also sentenced to five years of supervised released and was ordered to pay $274,980. According to the May 11, 2018 guilty plea, Carrier worked as an account clearing house (ACH) specialist for a bank where she had access to bank customer accounts and handled ACH wire transfers. From March of 2010 to December of 2016, Carrier initiated 74 fraudulent wire transfers from customers’ accounts to personal accounts. Carrier embezzled a total of $274,980 during the course of the scheme.

The U.S. Secret Service and the Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that three Nigerian nationals living in Grambling and Texas have pleaded guilty Monday to roles in a scheme aimed at obtaining permanent residency illegally.

Adebisi Philip Bode Adejumo, 34, a Grambling, Louisiana, resident and Nigerian citizen; Godspower Raphael Sobaeh, 31, a Fort Worth, Texas, resident and Nigerian citizen; and Olabode Ebenezer Olubodun, 37, a Houston, Texas, resident and Nigerian citizen, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty to one count of conspiracy to make false statements in connection with immigration documents. Adejumo also pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents, Sobaeh to one count of marriage fraud, and Olubodun to one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents and mail fraud. In May, a federal grand jury returned a 42-count indictment charging 17 Nigerian and Cameroon nationals living in Louisiana, Texas, New York and Maryland with the marriage fraud scheme. Sobaeh, Adejumo and Olubodun are the first to plead guilty. The court set sentencing for February 6, 2019.

According to the indictment, from as late as June 2013 and continuing to 2018, the defendants, who were from Nigeria and Cameroon, used F-1 student and B-2 visitor visas to enter the United States. While here, they entered into fraudulent marriages to stay in the United States. They recruited and paid United States citizens to enter into sham marriages in order to evade immigration laws and procure immigration benefits to which they were not entitled. The defendants filled out immigration forms and supplemental documents using false information, and they forged immigration forms and supplemental documents that they mailed to U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS). They also attended USCIS interviews where they made false statements under oath in an effort to evade immigration laws.

All the defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to make false statements in connection with immigration documents, to commit mail fraud, to commit marriage fraud, and to commit aggravated identity theft. For the remaining defendants, charges and a list of the defendants, see the information below:

John Femi Egunjobi, 34, a Grambling resident and Nigerian citizen, was charged with 12 counts of making false statements in connection with immigration documents, nine counts of mail fraud and 15 counts of aggravated identity theft.

Talatu Helen Dada, 38, a Ruston, Louisiana, resident and Nigerian citizen, was charged with one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents, one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Oludayo Folarin Olayinka, 38, a Midland, Texas, resident and Nigerian citizen, was charged with one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents, one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

James Ojo Ayodele, 49, a Ruston resident and Nigerian citizen, was charged with one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Precillia Asabe Dada, 53, a Ruston resident and Nigerian citizen, was charged with one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents, one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Landry Djeiya Tchokogue, 29, a Houston resident and Cameroon citizen, was charged with one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents, one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Cedric Gaetan Simou Meughu, 32, a Hyattsville, Maryland, resident and Cameroon citizen, was charged with one count of marriage fraud.

Martin Boris Takam Sagoua, 33, a Vineyard Haven, Maryland, resident and Cameroon citizen, was charged with one count of marriage fraud.

Cecilia Joseph Akpan, 55, a Huntington Station, New York, resident and Nigerian citizen, was charged with one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents, one count of mail fraud, one count of marriage fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Tiimaro Smart Ekanem, 26, a Ruston resident and Nigerian citizen, was only charged with the conspiracy count.

Abiola Esther Olaniyi, 26, a Dallas, Texas, resident and Nigerian citizen, was charged with one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents, one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Paul Allele Edeki, 40, a Houston resident and Nigerian citizen, was charged with one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents, one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. 

Funmilade I. Oyetunji, 26, a Katy, Texas, resident and Nigerian citizen, was charged with one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents, one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

And Olorunwa James Akinseloyin, 41, a Ruston resident and Nigerian citizen, was charged with one count of making false statements in connection with immigration documents and one count of aggravated identity theft.

The defendants face up to five years in prison for the conspiracy count, 10 years in prison for the false statements count, 20 years in prison for the mail fraud count, five years in prison for the marriage fraud count and two years in prison for the identity theft count. They also face restitution, forfeiture, three to five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each count. The remaining defendants are scheduled to face trial February 11, 2019.

Homeland Security Investigations Shreveport, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Marshals Service, Louisiana State Police-CIU, Louisiana State Police Narcotics, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, Shreveport Police Department and Bossier City Marshals Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany E. Fields and Earl M. Campbell are prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Texas man was sentenced Tuesday to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm.

Donnie Vance Grabener, 64, of Waskom, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the May 3, 2018 guilty plea, Grabener and codefendants Thomas Taylor, 65, of Dallas, Texas; Tina Louise Taylor, 43, of Dallas, Texas; and Michael Shane Rushton, 33, of Bossier City, Louisiana, conspired to sell methamphetamine in the Shreveport/Bossier City area from March 2017 to May 2017. A Caddo Parish sheriff’s officer stopped a vehicle Rushton was driving on May 5, 2017 in Bethany, Louisiana. Riding in the vehicle were husband and wife Thomas and Tina Taylor. The officer searched the vehicle and found a box behind the driver’s side seat on the floor filled with paper rags. In the bottom of the box was a grocery sack with seven clear plastic bags that were later tested to contain approximately 983 grams of methamphetamine. Upon further investigation, law enforcement agents learned that Grabener sold methamphetamine with his suppliers being Thomas and Tina Taylor.

Thomas Taylor, Tina Taylor and Rushton pleaded guilty March 5, 2018 to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Rushton was sentenced September 17, 2018 to 60 months in prison with three years of supervised release. Thomas and Tina Taylor were sentenced on August 3, 2018 to 140 months and 120 months in prison respectively. They were also sentenced to five years of supervised release.

The DEA and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany E. Fields and Mary J. Mudrick prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Jose Melchor Martinez, 48, a resident of Church Point and a citizen of Mexico, has been arrested after being charged by a federal criminal complaint in U.S. District Court with re-entry of a removed alien. 

According to the criminal complaint filed on October 12, 2018, Martinez illegally re-entered the United States after being deported on September 6, 2003, and had not received permission from the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to re-enter.  According to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Martinez is considered to be one of their most wanted fugitives.  For more information, see www.ice.gov/most-wanted/martinez-jose-melchor.

The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release if convicted.

The case was investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Ayo.

This matter will proceed in United States District Court in Lafayette, where the complaint is currently pending.  A complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law.  For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal grand jury within 30 days.  Once a grand jury returns an indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Scott man was sentenced Tuesday to five years and seven months in prison for possessing child pornography on a Dropbox account. 

Larry Guidry, 25, of Scott, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possession of child pornography. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to the July 10, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement agents received information that an online Dropbox account was being used to store child pornography. Dropbox is internet service used to store digital information such as documents, images and other data. Agents searched the account and found 100 images and 23 videos of child pornography. Agents searched Guidry’s residence on February 21, 2018 and arrested him. He admitted to uploading the images to Dropbox.

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 and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.