Western District of Louisiana

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that the former director of the Morgan City Housing Authority and two former employees were arraigned today on charges related to theft of half a million dollars.

Charles E. Spann, 78, of Kingsport, Tenn.; and Diana L. Pace, 64, and Sandra L. Green, 59, both of Morgan City, La.; pleaded not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst. The fourth defendant, Tori D. Johnson, 38, of Morgan City, is scheduled to be arraigned on March 31, 2016. The grand jury returned the 15-count indictment on February 18, 2016. Count One is conspiracy to defraud the United States, and counts two through 15 are theft of government money.

According to the indictment, Spann and three other Morgan City Housing Authority employees are alleged to have received more than $500,000 in bonus payments to which they were not entitled from 2007 to 2013.

If convicted, the defendants face five years in prison for the conspiracy count and 10 years in prison for each count of theft of government money. They also face three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

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

The U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Investigations, conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly P. Uebinger and Robert F. Moore are prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced the indictment of 11 Lafayette-area residents on charges for a variety of narcotics and firearms offenses.

Those named in the 23-count indictment unsealed February 22, 2016 are:

Carroll Griffin, 32, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, five counts of unlawful use of a communication facility, one count of maintaining a premises for the purpose of distribution of controlled substances, and one count of possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Joshua Griffin, 33, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, three counts of distribution of cocaine base, four counts of unlawful use of a communication facility, and one count of maintaining a premises for the purpose of distribution of controlled substances.

Alvontre Griffin, 19, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, four counts of unlawful use of a communication facility, one count of possession of a stolen firearm, and one count of maintaining a premises for the purpose of distribution of controlled substances.

Jeremy Tyler, 29, of Rayne, La., is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and one count of unlawful use of a communication facility.

Chester Tyler, 20, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and one count of unlawful use of a communication facility.

Josh Tyler, 33, of Scott, La., is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of unlawful use of a communication facility.

Nathan George, 34, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of unlawful use of a communication facility.

Ronnie Thomas, 35, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of unlawful use of a communication facility, and one count of distribution of cocaine base.

Ashton Ventroy, 26, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of unlawful use of a communication facility.

London West, 25, of Duson, La., is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of unlawful use of a communication facility, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.

Johnny Huntley, 21, of Duson, is charge with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.

The defendants face various possible penalties depending on the drug quantity involved, their role in the charged offense, and their criminal histories.

The charges resulted from a long-term investigation coordinated by the FBI’s Lafayette Resident Agency Safe Streets Gang Task Force.  The FBI, ATF, Lafayette Metro Narcotics Unit, Lafayette Police Department, Lafayette Sheriff’s Office, St. Landry Sheriff’s Office, St. Mary Sheriff’s Office, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana National Guard Counter Drug Unit participated in the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert C. Abendroth and Kelly Uebinger are prosecuting the case.      

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

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that two women were sentenced Tuesday for conspiring to steal money from the bank where they worked.

Deirdre Christophe Nelson, 36, of Natchez, La., and Valerie K. Culpepper, 36, of Natchitoches, La., were sentenced to 21 months and one month respectively by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. Nelson was sentenced on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and Culpepper was sentenced on one count of conspiracy to make false statements in bank records. They were also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $355,649 in restitution. According to the guilty pleas, Nelson, who worked as a bank manager at a Natchitoches bank, conspired with Joe Lee Colbert Jr., 38, of Baton Rouge, to take more than $300,000 from 2011 until July of 2014 from the bank. Nelson would steal cash money and issue money orders from the bank to be deposited into Colbert’s account. Culpepper, the head bank teller, falsified bank records to hide money stolen during that time.

Colbert was sentenced on January 26, 2016 to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He must also share in the payment of restitution Nelson and Culpepper were ordered to pay. Nelson pleaded guilty on September 10, 2015, and Culpepper pleaded guilty on July 17, 2015.

The FBI and conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lafayette man pleaded guilty Wednesday to buying drugs overseas and shipping them to himself.

Michael Munro Jr., 37, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst to one count of smuggling controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV narcotics. The plea will become final when approved by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. According to the guilty plea, Munro was arrested in November of 2014 and July of 2015 for buying illegal narcotics online overseas and having them delivered to U.S. Post Offices and FedEx locations in Lafayette and surrounding areas. Munro told agents that in March of 2014 he began ordering pills via the internet using the Silk Road website. Munro admitted to ordering Xanax, Alprazolam and OxyContin at various times. He also stated that he would order 1,000 to 1,500 Xanax bars at a time and sell 3,000 OxyContin pills per week.

Munro faces 20 years for the smuggling count and five years in prison for possession with intent to distribute. He also faces three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date was not set.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Lafayette Metro Narcotics. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert F. Moore and John Luke Walker are prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a federal grand jury indicted Caddo Parish Commissioner Michael Dwayne Williams for defrauding the Caddo Parish Commission and stealing from a nonprofit meant to help at-risk youth.

Williams, 54, of Shreveport, was indicted on 12 counts of wire fraud. The indictment alleges that from October 1, 2012 through July 1, 2014, Williams devised a scheme to take more than $2,000 from a nonprofit’s bank account. Williams urged the parish commission to appropriate public funds for the nonprofit SWAG Nation. Once those funds were allocated from the parish’s budget to SWAG Nation, Williams caused a bank debit card to be issued for the nonprofit. Between April of 2013 and July of 2014, Williams used an ATM card to remove money on numerous occasions. According to the indictment, he took $100 to $200 each time that he made a withdrawal initializing 12 transactions from August 2013 to June 2014 for personal use. SWAG Nation’s declared purpose is to partner with local institutions to help mentor and counsel at-risk individuals ages 7 to 17 so that they can better function in society.

“The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated Michael Williams for several months and is pleased with the return of this indictment,” said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator. “Unfortunately, there are people elected to office who will abuse the public’s trust. This money was meant for children, not politicians.”

Williams faces up to 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for each count.

The FBI and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph G. Jarzabek and Brandon B. Brown are prosecuting the case.

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

LAFAYETTE, La. – Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff Louis Ackal and Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Savoy were charged today with civil rights violations arising out of the beatings of five pre-trial detainees at the Iberia Parish Jail (IPJ) on April 29, 2011. Ackal is charged with one count of conspiracy against rights and two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, and Savoy is charged with one count of conspiracy against rights and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.

The indictment alleges that Ackal and Savoy conspired with each other and with other officers to assault five inmates, identified by the initials C.O., S.S., A.T., A.D. and H.G., and that members of the conspiracy failed to intervene and stop the assaults. 

Eight former Iberia Parish Sheriff Office employees have previously entered guilty pleas in related cases before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi of the Western District of Louisiana. The eight officers are former IPJ Warden Wesley Hayes, former IPJ Assistant Warden Jesse Hayes, former Lieutenant Bret Broussard of the Narcotics Unit, former narcotics agent Wade Bergeron, former narcotics agent Jason Comeaux, former narcotics agent David Hines, former narcotics agent Byron Benjamin Lassalle and former K-9 handler Robert Burns.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, Ackal and Savoy each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each of the civil rights violations, as well as a potential $250,000 fine for each count.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Lafayette Resident Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph G. Jarzabek of the Western District of Louisiana, Special Litigation Counsel Mark Blumberg and Trial Attorney Tona Boyd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley of the Western District of Louisiana announced today that Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff Louis Ackal and Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Savoy were charged with civil rights violations arising out of the beatings of five pre-trial detainees at the Iberia Parish Jail (IPJ) on April 29, 2011.  Ackal is charged with one count of conspiracy against rights and two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, and Savoy is charged with one count of conspiracy against rights and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.

The indictment alleges that Ackal and Savoy conspired with each other and with other officers to assault five inmates, identified by the initials C.O., S.S., A.T., A.D. and H.G., and that  members of the conspiracy failed to intervene and stop the assaults.

Eight former Iberia Parish Sheriff Office employees previously entered guilty pleas in related cases before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi of the Western District of Louisiana.  The eight officers are former IPJ Warden Wesley Hayes, former IPJ Assistant Warden Jesse Hayes, former Lieutenant Bret Broussard of the Narcotics Unit, former narcotics agent Wade Bergeron, former narcotics agent Jason Comeaux, former narcotics agent David Hines, former narcotics agent Byron Benjamin Lassalle and former K-9 handler Robert Burns.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.  If convicted, Ackal and Savoy each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each of the civil rights violations, as well as a potential $250,000 fine for each count.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Lafayette Resident Agency.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph G. Jarzabek of the Western District of Louisiana, Special Litigation Counsel Mark Blumberg and Trial Attorney Tona Boyd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

Ackal and Savoy Indictment

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that two men from Monroe were each sentenced Tuesday to 151 months in prison for their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy.

Vacarra Rogers, 35, and Kevin Honeycutt, 36, both of Monroe, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Honeycutt was also sentenced for one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. They were also sentenced to five years of supervised release. 

Evidence admitted at a two-day trial ending on December 3, 2015, showed that Rogers was arrested on August 2, 2014, on Louisiana state charges related to illegal possession and distribution of methamphetamine. Co-defendant Kendra Turner, 25, of Monroe, was driving the car at the time of the arrest. During an October 8, 2014 visit to the jail, Turner was heard on recorded jailhouse calls talking to Rogers about her driving to Texas to obtain methamphetamine. Later that day, Turner, Rogers and Honeycutt further discussed the trip. Turner was arrested on October 10, 2014, on her way back from Texas. Honeycutt was then arrested and admitted to waiting for a delivery of methamphetamine from Turner. Honeycutt stated that he had obtained $5,000 from Ruby Jane McMillan, 29, of Farmerville, La., to purchase methamphetamine for her. Honeycutt set up a delivery of methamphetamine for McMillan, and she was later arrested.

“This sentence should send a message that trafficking drugs has serious consequences,” Finley stated. “We will continue to prosecute those who bring these dangerous drugs into our communities.”

Turner pleaded guilty on July 10, 2015, and McMillan pleaded guilty September 12, 2015, to one count each of conspiracy. Turner was sentenced to five years of supervised probation on January 4, 2016, and McMillan was sentenced on the same day to 38 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell is prosecuting the case.  The DEA and the Monroe Metro Narcotics Task Force investigated the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Leesville resident pleaded guilty to burglarizing homes and a truck on the Fort Polk military installation.

Dakota Cole Yarbrough, 22, of Leesville, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to one count of simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling.  According to the guilty plea, Yarbrough was driven to the outskirts of the Fort Polk base around 10 p.m., on August 5, 2015. He then illicitly crossed the fence onto the installation.  Once on Fort Polk, he illegally entered two residences where families were sleeping and stole personal belongings from the homes.  He also broke into and stole items from a pickup truck. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office found many of the stolen items in Yarbrough’s residence after a search on August 10, 2015.

Yarbrough faces 12 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $2,000 fine. A sentencing date of June 9, 2016 was set.

The Fort Polk Directorate of Emergency Services and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Rwandan national was sentenced Monday to 70 months in prison for refusing to leave the country after being ordered to depart.

Innocent Safari Nzamubereka, 38, of Rwanda, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on two counts of failure to depart for resisting removal after final deportation orders.  According to evidence admitted at a two-day trial that ended on November 20, 2015, Nzamubereka refused to sign visa applications necessary for him to be sent back to the Republic of Rwanda where he had been ordered to return on March 12, 2013 and April 11, 2013.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Howard C. Parker and Dominic Rossetti prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT/MONROE/ALEXANRIA/LAKE CHARLES/LAFAYETTE, La.: United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana Stephanie A. Finley and the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force announced today that the Department of Justice, the Office of Justice Programs and the Bureau of Justice Assistance is seeking applications for funding of a grant under the Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction Program, also known as Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

PSN furthers the Department of Justice=s mission to reduce violent crime by providing support to state, local and tribal efforts to create safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in gang violence and violent crimes committed with firearms.  Contingent on the availability of funds, grant awards totaling $300,000 are possible in the Western District of Louisiana to fund new and current comprehensive gun crime reduction and gang violence reduction strategies.  The application for this fiscal year 2016 (FY2016) PSN grant must be submitted to and received by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lafayette before noon on April 5, 2016.

Various types of single or multi‑grantee grant applications are welcome including those that address the following:   

• Gang violence and gun violence reduction, deterrence, prevention, community outreach and education;

• Enforcement, adjudication and supervision programs;

• Prisoner reentry programs; or

• Other innovative related projects.

The FY2016 PSN Competitive Grant Announcement, BJA-2016-9342, can be found at www.bja.gov/funding/PSN16.pdf.  For the announcement or more information on the PSN program visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office website at www.justice.gov/usao/law/ and www.justice.gov/usao/law/psn.html or at www.psn.gov or www.bja.gov/programs/psn.

More information about the FY2016 PSN grant announcement and the PSN program can also be found by contacting Assistant U.S. Attorney and PSN and Anti-Gang Coordinator Robert W. Gillespie Jr. at (318) 676-3600.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lafayette man was sentenced Thursday to 42 months in prison for possessing a firearm after having previously been convicted of a felony.

Jarrod Ty Foxworthy, 29, of Lafayette, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. According to the November 24, 2015 guilty plea, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office dispatched a deputy to investigate a complaint on April 2, 2013. Someone matching Foxworthy’s description was seen firing a weapon in the front yard of a home on Nyoka Circle in Lafayette during a verbal altercation with the owner of the home.  When Foxworthy arrived to be interviewed by the responding deputy, he was carrying a black Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and was taken into custody.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative designed to reduce firearm crimes by removing dangerous and persistent felons from the community and promote firearm safety.

The ATF and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Haughton bank employee was sentenced Thursday to 42 months in prison for embezzling more than $1.7 million from the bank where he worked.

Jim Scott, 65, of Haughton, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of embezzlement. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,794,156.20 restitution. According to evidence presented at the August 7, 2015 guilty plea, Scott embezzled funds from 2000 to 2014 while employed as vice president of operations at Tri-State Bank and Trust in Haughton. The defendant had moved bank-controlled funds from the bank’s general fund to his personal checking account and savings accounts located at the same bank, which caused a $1,794,156.20 loss to the bank.

The U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a New Orleans man pleaded guilty to possessing dozens of fake credit and debit cards.

Terrance Milton, 23, of New Orleans, La., gave a conditional guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of possession of 15 or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices. The plea will become final when accepted by Judge Patricia Minaldi. According to the guilty plea, Milton was traveling with the driver of a vehicle May 15, 2014 on Interstate 10 eastbound in Calcasieu Parish when the vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The law enforcement officer found 36 credit/debit cards on Milton’s person. The defendant also possessed a fake driver’s license matching the fictitious name printed on the credit/debit cards.

Milton faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.  A sentencing date of June 2, 2016 was set.

The U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Lufkin, Texas, man pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine.

Laraymeon Jevon Watson, 21, of Lufkin, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. According to the guilty plea, Watson received cocaine powder and Ecstasy pills from a supplier in Texas. When his vehicle was stopped on June 24, 2015 near Greenwood, La., for a traffic violation, approximately 8 ounces of cocaine powder and more than 3,000 Ecstasy pills were found. He later admitted he planned to sell the drugs.

Watson faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1 million fine and restitution. A sentencing date of June 1, 2016 was set.

The defendant was arrested as part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation “River City Blues.”  The DEA, the Louisiana State Police, and the Lufkin Police Department investigated the case.  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. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. is prosecuting the case.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a former employee of the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office pleaded guilty to his role in an inmate beating at the Iberia Parish Jail.

Jesse James Hayes, 36, of St. Martinville, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to one count of deprivation of civil rights.

Hayes faces 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, participated in the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph G. Jarzabek, and Special Litigation Counsel Mark Blumberg and Trial Attorney Tona Boyd of the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, are prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana Stephanie A. Finley announced today that three former and two current employees of the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office pleaded guilty to their roles in beating inmates at the Iberia Parish Jail.

Those pleading guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi today to one count of deprivation of civil rights are: Robert E. Burns, 46, Youngsville, La.; Byron Benjamin Lassalle, 34, Erath, La.; Wade Bergeron, 40, Milton, La.; Bret Klein Broussard, 35, Broussard, La.; and Wesley Hayes, 36, St. Martinville, La.  Additionally, Lassalle and Hayes pleaded guilty to one count of civil rights conspiracy. Lassalle and Broussard are currently employed by the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office. The other three defendants no longer work there.

Each of the defendants, except Burns, faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Burns faces one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. They all face three years of supervised release.

The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, participated in the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph G. Jarzabek, and Special Litigation Counsel Mark Blumberg and Trial Attorney Tona Boyd of the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, are prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that, after a one-day trial, a federal jury found a Lafayette woman guilty of stealing from U.S. mail.

After deliberating for 17 minutes, a federal jury found Cate A. Plauche, 49, of Lafayette, guilty on 11 counts of theft of mail.  United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial. Plauche stole hundreds of dollars from mail in April of 2015 while employed as a mail carrier at a Lafayette Post Office.

Plauche faces five years in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine for each count.  The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dominic A. Rossetti and John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Richard Z. Johnson Jr. was sentenced Wednesday to 12 months and one day in prison for filing a false federal income tax return.

Johnson, 59, of Mansfield, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on a one-count bill of information charging him with making or subscribing a false tax return. He was also sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $275,184 in total restitution of his back taxes. According to the September 21, 2015 guilty plea, Johnson reported a total income of $126,197 on his 2011 U.S. individual tax return but willfully failed to report additional income in the amount of $78,717.

The prison sentence was based on a tax loss of approximately $107,000 attributable to criminal violations of federal tax laws. The plea agreement covers full restitution of all delinquent back taxes, including interest and penalties. 

“Mr. Johnson filed a false tax return where he willfully failed to report a significant portion of his income,” Ms. Finley stated. “Filing false returns is a serious crime, and my office will continue to identify and prosecute those who violate our tax laws.”

“The filing and timely payment of income tax returns is an obligation that all Americans should take seriously,” said Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Jerome R. McDuffie. “Mr. Johnson is an attorney, a long-time prosecutor, and was well aware of these requirements.  One of the responsibilities of citizenship is to abide by our nation’s tax laws.  Our agency will continue to work with the United States Attorney’s Office to aggressively investigate allegations of tax crimes and prosecute those who fail to file returns and pay their fair share.  Today’s sentence is a reminder that no one is above the law.”

The IRS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Flanagan and Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Bossier City man was sentenced Wednesday to 77 months in prison for illegally possessing ammunition. 

Sidney Joseph Patterson, 45, of Bossier City, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to serve three years of supervised release. According to the October 1, 2015 guilty plea, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s deputies began investigating the January 9, 2015 discharge of a homemade “zip gun” firearm at Patterson’s residence, which wounded Patterson in the back. Found at the residence was the discharged zip gun and three other zip guns loaded with two rounds of 12 gauge shotgun ammunition and one round of .380 caliber ammunition. Prior to this offense, Patterson had other felony drug convictions.

A “zip gun” is an improvised firearm not manufactured by a firearms manufacturer or gunsmith, ranging in quality from crude weapons that are as much a danger to the user as the target, to high-quality arms.

This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm and to promote firearm safety.

The ATF and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced Tuesday to 248 months in prison as an Armed Career Offender for firearms and drug charges.

Jeffery Lynn Alexander, 44, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense. He was also sentenced to serve five years of supervised release.  According to the September 14, 2015 guilty plea, law enforcement agents conducted a controlled sale of cocaine at a Shreveport hotel in October of 2014. Alexander was recorded participating in the purchase of approximately 8 ounces of cocaine, while armed with a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun. While executing a warrant at Alexander’s home on April 15, 2015, law enforcement agents found Alexander in possession of a loaded 9 mm pistol, cocaine, methamphetamine and cash. Alexander has a prior conviction for possession of cocaine in 2003 and multiple felony drug trafficking convictions in 1998, 2005 and 2010.  He was sentenced as an Armed Career Offender. The mandatory minimum sentence for an Armed Career Offender is 15 years in prison.

To be found an Armed Career Offender under federal law, a defendant must have three previous convictions that are either a violent felony or a serious drug offense, or both, committed on occasions different from one another.  A serious drug offense can be an offense under federal or state law if it involves the manufacturing, distributing or possessing with intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance for which a maximum term of 10 years or more in prison is prescribed by law.

“This defendant had multiple felony convictions and was prohibited by law from possessing a firearm; yet, he not only continued to possess firearms, but also continued to engage in illegal drug offenses,” Finley stated. “The safety and security of the community is our highest priority.”

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative designed to reduce firearm crimes by removing dangerous and persistent felons from the community and promote firearm safety.

The ATF, Shreveport Police Department and Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Shreveport man was sentenced to 39 months in prison for possessing a shotgun after he was previously convicted of a felony.

Jonathan Paul Bailey, 37, of Shreveport, La., was sentenced 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 July 22, 2015 guilty plea, agents with Louisiana Probation and Parole were attempting to execute an arrest warrant for another person at Bailey’s residence in Shreveport on March 24, 2015. Agents found a sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun and shells that belonged to Bailey. It was unlawful for Bailey to possess the firearm and ammunition because of his conviction in June of 2000 in the First Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish for armed robbery in which a shotgun was used to rob three people in a restaurant.

This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm and to promote firearm safety.

The ATF and Louisiana Probation and Parole investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Downsville man pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing firearms, ammunition and an unregistered silencer after he was previously convicted of a felony.

William David Futch, 44, of Downsville, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm silencer.  The pleas will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James. According to the guilty plea, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a complaint on April 11, 2014 that Futch was at his home firing shots.  During this investigation, Futch was found in possession of a .45/.410 revolver, a 12 gauge shotgun, .a 22 caliber rifle with scope, a .22 caliber stainless rifle, a .22 caliber rifle with scope and bipod, a third .22 caliber rifle, a .223 caliber rifle, a 9 mm handgun, a .40 caliber handgun, ammunition, and a firearm silencer.  He was previously convicted of a felony on three separate occasions.

Futch faces 10 years in prison, three years supervised release, forfeiture of the seized weapons and ammunition, and a $250,000 fine for each count. A sentencing date of June 20, 2016 was set.

This investigation and prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative to reduce firearm crimes by preventing the possession and use of firearms by dangerous and persistent felons and others not authorized to possess a firearm and to promote firearm safety.

The ATF and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie is prosecuting the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Shreveport man was sentenced Tuesday to 27 months in prison for evading the payment of more than $250,000 in taxes for 10 years.

Joseph Lanza, 72, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of attempting to evade and defeat payment of tax. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. Lanza attempted to evade payment of income taxes in 1996 through 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2004 through 2007 by concealing his income from the IRS.

The IRS conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Flanagan prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Shreveport resident was sentenced to 15 years in prison for producing child pornography.

Jason Carl Fruge, 45, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote on one count of production of child pornography. The defendant was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to evidence presented at the October 1, 2015 guilty plea, during the course of investigating Fruge for other offenses, agents found a video on Fruge’s computer of a minor male child engaged in a sexually explicit sex act.  Fruge pretended to be an attractive female in order to convince the minor to engage in the sexual act.  Fruge directed the minor child to commit the sexually explicit act and recorded the minor using an online video chat service similar to Skype on June 9, 2014.

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 Shreveport FBI office number is (318) 861-1890.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) DHS-2ICE.  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 (http://www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app). Tips also may be submitted anonymously.

The FBI and ICE Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a New Jersey man who was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base was sentenced to 96 months in prison for receiving child pornography on his personal computer.

Kyle Daniel Reese, 21, of Sicklerville, N.J., was sentenced on one count of receiving child pornography by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. Reese was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. According to evidence presented at the August 10, 2015 guilty plea, law enforcement agents detected a computer at Barksdale Air Force Base downloading child pornography. Agents obtained warrants and searched Reese’s domicile and work site on February 4, 2015.  A forensic examination of the digital media found more than 600 images and more than five videos of child pornography on his personal computer. Before his sentencing, Reese was discharged from the Air Force.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana State Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Office Cyber Crime Unit, the Northwest Louisiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Bossier City Marshal’s Office and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.

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 marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) DHS-2ICE.  Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp. Tips may be submitted anonymously.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Carencro man was sentenced Tuesday to six months of home confinement for failing to maintain accurate records of firearms sales at his business.

Morgan Joseph Parlow Jr., 33, of Carencro, La., was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Hanna on one count of failure to maintain firearms inventory records. He was also sentenced to five years of probation and 600 hours of community service, and he was ordered to forfeit approximately $100,000 worth of firearm inventory, including a machinegun and numerous firearm silencers, and pay a $7,500 fine. Additionally, he agreed to forfeit his right to hold a Federal Firearms License. According to the August 18, 2015 guilty plea, Parlow was a licensed firearms manufacturer and dealer under investigation for theft when agents discovered that his Federal Firearms Licensee and Special Occupational Tax Number had expired. Law enforcement agents conducted a search on March 23, 2015, of Parlow’s home and the site of his business, Specialties of Acadiana. Agents found incomplete sales, purchase and inventory records, which he was required to keep and maintain under the Gun Control Act and the National Firearms Act. Specifically, the records failed to account for Parlow’s possession of seven silencers and one machine gun as well as Parlow’s acquisition of other firearms.

The ATF conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Joseph and Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.

The Justice Department announced today that former Mamou, Louisiana, Police Chief Robert McGee, 44, was sentenced to one year and a day in prison for depriving an inmate at the Mamou jail of his federally protected rights by using a taser on the compliant inmate.  McGee’s conviction was the result of a federal investigation into the illegal use of excessive force upon inmates at the Mamou jail that also led to the 2015 civil rights conviction of former Mamou Police Chief Gregory Dupuis for unlawfully using a taser against a different jail inmate. 

McGee, of Mamou, pleaded guilty on Oct. 13, 2015, to one count of violation of an individual’s civil rights and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik Sr. of the Western District of Louisiana.  On Oct. 13, 2015, Judge Haik sentenced Dupuis to one year and a day in prison.

According to evidence presented at McGee’s plea hearing, McGee went to the jail on Aug. 6, 2010, to deal with an inmate who had been verbally, but not physically, disruptive.  McGee engaged the inmate in conversation as a second officer unlocked the cell.  After the cell door was opened, McGee pointed his taser at the inmate and discharged his taser into the inmate’s chest and abdomen area, even though the inmate was compliant and made no aggressive moves toward the officers or any other person.  The five-second electric shock caused the inmate to fall against the wall of the cell and experience physical pain.  At his plea hearing, McGee admitted that he knew at the time that his actions were unlawful. 

McGee, who was elected Mamou police chief after this incident, resigned his position as chief on Oct. 8, 2015, as a result of the federal investigation.

“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with the authority to use force for legitimate law enforcement purposes, including maintaining discipline in jails,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.  “However, the defendant abused that trust by deploying a Taser on a compliant detainee.”

“Law enforcement officers have a duty to ensure that those in their custody are treated fairly and humanely when taken into custody,” said U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley of the Western District of Louisiana.  “Mr. McGee breached that trust and violated his oath by using excessive force on an incarcerated individual who complied with orders.”

The case was being investigated by the FBI and the Louisiana State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Stephen Curran and Mary Hahn of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie and Robert Abendroth of the Western District of Louisiana.

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department and U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that former Mamou Police Chief Robert McGee was sentenced today to one year and a day in prison for depriving an inmate at the Mamou jail of his federally protected rights. The sentence relates to one incident where McGee used a taser on a compliant inmate.  McGee’s conviction was the result of a federal investigation into the illegal use of excessive force on inmates at the Mamou jail that also led to the 2015 civil rights conviction of former Mamou Police Chief Gregory Dupuis for unlawfully using a taser against a different inmate. 

McGee was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik Sr. on one count of violating an individual’s civil rights. He was also sentenced to one year of supervised release.

According to evidence presented at McGee’s October 13, 2015 plea hearing, McGee went to the jail on Aug. 6, 2010, to deal with an inmate who had been verbally, but not physically, disruptive.  McGee engaged the inmate in conversation as a second officer unlocked the cell.  After the cell door was opened, McGee pointed his taser at the inmate and discharged his taser into the inmate’s chest and abdomen area, even though the inmate was compliant and made no aggressive moves toward the officers or any other person.  The five-second electric shock caused the inmate to fall against the wall of the cell and experience physical pain.  At his plea hearing, McGee admitted that he knew at the time that his actions were unlawful. 

McGee, who was elected Mamou police chief after this incident, resigned his position as chief on Oct. 8, 2015, as a result of the federal investigation. On Oct. 13, 2015, Haik sentenced Dupuis to one year and a day in prison.

“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with the authority to use force for legitimate law enforcement purposes, including maintaining discipline in jails,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.  “However, the defendant abused that trust by deploying a taser on a compliant detainee.”

“Law enforcement officers have a duty to ensure that those in their custody are treated fairly and humanely,” Finley stated.  “Mr. McGee breached that trust and violated his oath by using excessive force on an incarcerated individual who complied with orders.”

The FBI and the Louisiana State Police investigated the case.  Trial Attorneys Stephen Curran and Mary Hahn of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie and Robert Abendroth of the Western District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lafayette man was sentenced Monday to 120 months in prison for firing a gun at a postal worker.

David C. Sonnier, 41, of Lafayette, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik on one count of discharging a firearm during commission of a crime of violence. He was also sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,178 restitution. According to the September 16, 2015 guilty plea, Sonnier admitted that on March 27, 2014 he shot a Hi Point 9 mm semi-automatic pistol at the door of the postal worker’s vehicle, which was passing in front of Sonnier’s home. The bullet passed through the driver’s side door and the postal worker’s pant leg before becoming lodged in the opposite side of the vehicle, which caused approximately $1,178 of damage.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI and the Lafayette Police Department investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a former Concordia Parish couple were each sentenced to 12 months in prison for their roles in a scheme to steal Veterans Affairs benefits over a 10-year period.

Alfred Lewis Jr., 67, of Ferriday, La., and Rose M. Lewis, 64, of Natchez, Miss., were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. Alfred Lewis was sentenced on one count of theft of government property or funds, and Rose Lewis was sentenced on one count of conspiracy to commit theft of government property or funds. They were also sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $197,784 restitution. According to evidence presented at the August 21, 2015 guilty plea, from July of 2003 until November of 2013, the defendants conspired to steal $197,784 in Veterans Affairs benefits. Alfred Lewis served in the U.S. Air Force and applied for veterans benefits in July of 2003. He and Rose Lewis did not disclose to Veterans Affairs that Rose Lewis had been working while living with Alfred Lewis during the 10-year period he received benefits. In written statements of their income sent to Veterans Affairs, they denied they were working when in fact Rose Lewis was earning more than $50,000 a year in Mississippi.

Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Monroe tax preparer was sentenced Monday to 57 months in prison for filing multiple false tax returns.

Richard Allan Scott, 38, of Monroe, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James for multiple counts of aiding or subscribing a false tax return.  He was also sentenced to one year of supervised release and was ordered to pay $338,380 restitution. Evidence admitted at the three-day trial, which ended on September 11, 2015, revealed that more than 50 false tax returns for years 2011 and 2012 were prepared. Many of the returns contained fictitious information pertaining to W-2 withholdings, dependent care expenses and tax credits. The total amount stolen during the scheme was approximately $338,380.

IRS-Criminal Investigations and Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that four Ruston residents were sentenced Monday for their roles in a cocaine distribution ring operating in the Lincoln Parish area.

United States District Judge Robert G. James sentenced Ruston, La., residents Brodrick D. Spivey, 34, to 77 months in prison; Kimoni A. McMurray, 37, to 108 months in prison; Thaxter Reynolds, 25, to 46 months in prison; and Harold Jenkins, 59, to 41 months in prison on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  They were also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to evidence presented at the guilty pleas, the defendants conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine or crack cocaine from June 2012 to July 2014 in the Lincoln Parish area. They were recorded buying cocaine and scheduling to convert cocaine to crack cocaine.

The fifth member of the conspiracy, Decarrious Jenkins, 27, of Ruston, was sentenced on November 30, 2015 to 77 months in prison and three years of supervised release for one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

The defendants were arrested as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation Pit Stop.  The DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, ICE, ATF, Louisiana State Police, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ruston Police Department, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Natchitoches Police Department, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier City Police Department, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, all participated in this OCDETF operation.  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 Cytheria D. Jernigan and James G. Cowles Jr. prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that two Texas men pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to sell approximately 28 kilograms of powder cocaine.

Ricardo Garcia, 28, and Jesus Christian Martinez, 34, both of Brownsville, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute powder cocaine.  According to the guilty plea, Louisiana State Police conducted a traffic stop on February 3, 2015 on a vehicle traveling eastbound on I-20 in Bossier Parish. The vehicle displayed North Carolina license plates but was not registered to either the driver or the passenger.  After further investigation, troopers searched the vehicle and found 28 kilogram-size packages of powder cocaine inside of a speaker box.

The defendants each face 10 years to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a $10 million fine. Sentencing is set for April 22, 2016.

The DEA-Shreveport Office and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Mexican national pleaded guilty to charges that he reentered the United States illegally at least three times.

Felipe Escobar-Martinez, 44, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. According to the guilty plea, the defendant was arrested in New Iberia on September 22, 2015 on Romero Road. The defendant later admitted that he was in the United States illegally and had last been deported in March of 1999, December of 2000 and July of 2005. The 2005 conviction was an aggravated felony, narcotic drugs for sale, in Arizona, Maricopa County.

Escobar-Martinez faces 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date was not set.

United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic A. Rossetti is prosecuting the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Ferriday woman was sentenced Thursday to five months in prison and five months of home confinement for stealing more than $100,000 of Veterans Affairs (VA) Death and Indemnity funds which were meant for her deceased aunt.

Linda Sue Bourgeois, 45, of Ferriday, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of theft of government property or funds. She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $107,452.33 restitution. According to evidence presented at her September 8, 2015 guilty plea, Bourgeois’ aunt was entitled to Death and Indemnity Compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs because of her husband’s service in the military.  Bourgeois’ aunt died in July of 2007, and Bourgeois did not inform Veterans Affairs of the death.  Bourgeois and her aunt shared a bank account where the funds were deposited electronically, and Bourgeois took the funds until March 2015 when the payments terminated by the VA. Bourgeois stole $107,452.33 during the scheme.

Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael O’Mara prosecuted the case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Catahoula Parish man was sentenced to 117 months in prison for possessing unregistered explosives and illegally possessing firearms.

Bill W. Womack, 56, of Manifest, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of possessing unregistered explosive devices and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release, fined $50,000 and forfeited the weapons seized during the arrest. According to information presented at the September 24, 2015 guilty plea, agents seized machine guns, destructive devices, silencers, a short barreled rifle and more than a kilogram of marijuana. The weapons were not registered as required by law. In addition, law enforcement destroyed improvised explosive devices at the scene over a five-day period.

The ATF, FBI, Louisiana State Police and Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth D. Reeg and William J. Flanagan prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that 12 people were indicted Wednesday in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in Lafayette and the surrounding areas.

Those named in the 15-count indictment are:

Jeremy David Hamlett, 37, of Arnaudville, La.

Lovlace L. Comeaux II, 53, of Lafayette

Kevin Comeaux, 54, of Milton, La.

Darrell James Serrette II, 33, of Breaux Bridge, La.

Jared J. Dupuis, 38, of Breaux Bridge

Jade Dupuis, 37, of Arnaudville

Elton Scroggins, 34, of Breaux Bridge

John S. Stutes, 44, of Breaux Bridge

Ronnie J. Touchet, 34, of Breaux Bridge

Travis Joseph Thibodeaux, 34, of Breaux Bridge

Matthew James Hebert, 42, of New Iberia, La.

Tucker Huval, 34, of Breaux Bridge

According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Lafayette and the surrounding areas from April 2015 until Wednesday.  All defendants have been arrested. In addition to the conspiracy count, there were three counts of distribution of methamphetamine (Counts 2 to 4) and 11 counts of use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating a drug trafficking crime (Counts 5 to 15).

The defendants face various possible penalties depending on the drug quantity involved, their role in the conspiracy and their drug history. On the conspiracy and distribution counts, some defendants face up to life in prison, and others face up to 20 years or 40 years in prison. The defendants also face up to 10 years of supervised release. The penalties for use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating drug trafficking are up to eight years in prison and up to three years of supervised release for each count. Additionally, the defendants face fines up to $20 million and forfeiture of property seized in the case.

Counts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Hamlett X   X   X X   X X X X X X X X Lovelace Comeaux X         X                   Kevin Comeaux X     X     X                 Darrell Serrette X             X               Jared Dupuis X               X             Jade Dupuis X X                           Scroggins X                 X           Stutes X                   X         Touchet X                     X       Thibodeaux X                       X     Herbert X                         X   Huval X                           X

The DEA (Lafayette Task Force), Louisiana State Police and Lafayette Metro Narcotics (LMN) participated in the investigation, and the ATF, FBI, DEA Task Force, St. Martin Parish Sherriff’s Office and LMN assisted in the apprehension of the individuals named in the indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie and Daniel J. McCoy are 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 Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Shreveport man was sentenced to 71 months in prison for possessing three firearms and ammunition after being convicted of multiple felonies.

Jonathan Shane Roberts, 41, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the August 28, 2015 guilty plea, Roberts swapped an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) for a 9 mm pistol, a .308 caliber rifle, a .223 caliber rifle and more than 2,500 rounds of ammunition on November 19, 2014.  Roberts later filed a police report claiming the ATV was stolen. After further investigation, a Shreveport Police Department detective found that Roberts had at least three felony convictions before obtaining the firearms.  Roberts was convicted in March of 1993 of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, in December of 2001 of simple robbery, and in August of 2007 of felony theft of more than $500.  All convictions were in the First Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative designed to reduce firearm crimes by removing dangerous and persistent felons from the community and to promote firearm safety.

The Shreveport office of the ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La. -  United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana collected $10,649,919 through civil, criminal and asset forfeiture actions in Fiscal Year 2015.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office collected $6,575,973 in criminal actions and $1,171,467 was collected in civil actions. Working with various other offices and components of the Department of Justice, the Western District of Louisiana collected an additional $1,352,659.The U.S. Attorney’s Office also worked with its partner agencies and divisions to collect $1,549,819 in asset forfeiture actions in FY2015. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced last week that the Justice Department collected $22.9 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2015. The more than $22.9 billion in collections in FY2015 represents more than seven and a half times the approximately $2.93 billion of the Justice Department’s combined appropriations for the 93 U.S. Attorney’s offices and the main litigating division in that same period.

Included in the FY2015 criminal collections for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, is $1.5 million collected from Gulfport Energy Corporation. Gulfport Energy was charged with violating the Clean Water Act by discharging polluted water into Cote Blanche Bay from June 2011 until March 2012. The company pleaded guilty to one count of negligent discharge of pollutants into navigable waterways. Gulfport paid $1.125 million fine for violating the Clean Water Act and $375,000 in community service projects.

Also included in the FY2015 collections is $1.25 million paid by Arkla Disposal Services.  The United States and the State of Louisiana filed suit against Arkla Disposal and related entities alleging violations of the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Air Act’s National Emissions Standard for Benzene Waste Operations and the Louisiana Environmental Quality Act at the Arkla’s facility in Shreveport.  Arkla paid a total of $2.5 million to the United States and the State of Louisiana to settle the lawsuit.

One of the significant civil recoveries for the Western District of Louisiana in FY2015 was $650,000 collected from Dr. Mehmood Patel and his entities, Acadiana Cardiology LLC and Acadiana Cardiovascular Center LLC. This collection resulted from the settlement of a qui tam action that alleged Mehmood Patel, a cardiologist, performed unnecessary cardiovascular and other endovascular interventional procedures at two hospitals and at a cardiac catheterization lab located in his private medical office. 

Of the total amount collected by the District in FY15, $1,177,576.29 was collected through garnishment proceedings commenced by the district’s Financial Litigation Unit (FLU). The significant increase collected through garnishment proceedings is due in part to the garnishment of various financial interests of debtors including retirement accounts, life insurance policies, wages and other financial accounts as well as the aggressive collection activity handled by the FLU. The largest recovery resulting from a garnishment proceeding in FY15 occurred in United States v. Bunnie Morris.  In August 2014, Morris pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344 and was sentenced to 29 months in prison and were ordered to pay $337,050.32 in restitution. After the district instituted garnishment proceedings, $266,957.70 was recovered in garnished assets owned by the defendant and payments from Morris which satisfied the balance of the restitution debt.

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

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

“The Department of Justice is committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding taxpayer resources and protecting the American people from exploitation and abuse,” said Attorney General Lynch.  “The collections we are announcing today demonstrate not only the strength of that commitment, but also the significant return on public investment that our actions deliver.  I want to thank the prosecutors and trial attorneys who made this achievement possible, and to reiterate our dedication to this ongoing work.”

“We remain dedicated to protecting the public and vigorously pursuing funds that rightfully belong to the U.S. taxpayers,” stated U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley. “Our office will continue to hold people accountable and seek compensation for victims of federal crimes. I congratulate my staff for their hard work.”

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against any official with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office in connection with the fatal shooting of Victor White.

Federal officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the FBI met today with the White family to inform them of this decision.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO), the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the FBI reviewed all of the material and evidence generated by the Louisiana State Police, including witness statements, crime scene evidence, dispatch recordings, and video footage taken from police vehicles and forensic reports.  Additionally, the Department of Justice asked independent medical experts to review the autopsy performed by the state coroner and to conduct an independent analysis of Mr. White’s death. During the investigation, the U.S. Attorney and the investigative team also met with the White family and their representative to obtain additional information, evidence or witness information relating to the case.

In order to prove a violation of applicable federal criminal civil rights laws, prosecutors must establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a law enforcement officer willfully deprived an individual of a constitutional right, meaning that the officer acted with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids. After a careful and thorough review of the evidence, federal prosecutors and FBI agents have determined that the evidence here is insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any officer fired a weapon at Mr. White.

During the late evening of March 2, 2014, a deputy responding to a 911 call regarding a fight at a local store, stopped Mr. White and his friend who were on their way back from the store. Mr. White was taken into custody after marijuana and cocaine were found in his possession. According to Mr. White’s friend, who was not arrested, the interaction with the officers was non-confrontational. Video from the patrol car camera is consistent with the witness’s account. Mr. White was handcuffed behind his back, placed in the back seat of the patrol car and taken to the patrol center. While Mr. White was in the back seat of the patrol car, which was parked in the patrol center parking lot, a gun fired, causing a fatal gunshot wound to Mr. White.

Ballistics testing confirmed that the gun used in the shooting was a small .25 caliber handgun that was found on the back seat of the patrol car, adjacent to and behind Mr. White after the shooting. A single spent .25 caliber shell casing was also recovered from the rear compartment of the patrol car. The investigation revealed that Mr. White was in possession of a .25 caliber handgun earlier that evening. Experts determined that the .25 caliber handgun was in close proximity to his body when it was discharged.  In addition, gunshot residue was found on both of Mr. White’s hands.

Video footage from earlier that night shows Mr. White reaching around to his front pants pocket area while handcuffed behind his back. Both the state coroner and independent federal medical experts concluded that Mr. White fired the shot while handcuffed. The autopsy revealed a gunshot wound to the chest, with the bullet entering on the right side below the right nipple, and exiting on the left side of the chest near the armpit.

After careful examination of all of the evidence, the USAO, the Civil Rights Division and the FBI determined that the tragic incident did not constitute a prosecutable violation of any federal criminal civil rights statutes.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the FBI devoted significant time and resources to complete a thorough analysis of the evidence and facts developed during the investigation.

The Justice Department is committed to investigating allegations of excessive force by law enforcement officers and will continue to devote the resources necessary to ensure that all allegations of serious civil rights violations are fully and completely investigated.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a federal jury found two men from Monroe guilty of their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy.

Vacarra Rogers, 35, and Kevin Honeycutt, 36, both of Monroe, were found guilty last week of one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Honeycutt was also found guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. United States District Judge Robert G. James presided over the trial. After a two-day trial, the jury returned the guilty verdict after deliberating for approximately an hour. 

Evidence admitted at trial showed that Rogers was arrested on August 2, 2014, on Louisiana state charges related to illegal possession and distribution of methamphetamine. Co-defendant Kendra Turner, 25, of Monroe, was driving the car at the time of the arrest. During an October 8, 2014 visit to the jail, Turner was heard on recorded jailhouse calls talking to Rogers about her driving to Texas to obtain methamphetamine. Later that day, Turner, Rogers and Honeycutt further discussed the trip. Turner was arrested on October 10, 2014 on her way back from Texas. Honeycutt was then arrested and admitted to waiting for a delivery of methamphetamine from Turner. Honeycutt then stated that he had obtained $5,000 from Ruby Jane McMillan, 29, of Farmerville, La., to purchase methamphetamine for her. Honeycutt set up a delivery of methamphetamine for McMillan, and she was later arrested.

Rogers and Honeycutt each face 10 years to life in prison for conspiracy. Honeycutt also faces 10 years to life in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and up to 10 years in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.  They each face five years of supervised release and a $1 million fine. A sentencing date of March 1, 2016 was set.

Turner pleaded guilty on July 10, 2015, and McMillan pleaded guilty September 12, 2015, to one count each of conspiracy. Turner and McMillan are scheduled to be sentenced on January 4, 2016.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell is prosecuting the case.  The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Monroe Metro Narcotics Task Force investigated the case. 

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Texas man was sentenced Wednesday to 360 months in prison for attempting to use a child to make a sexually explicit video and attempting to persuade the child’s mother to allow him to sexually exploit the child.

Mark Anthony Thompson, 49, of Richmond, Texas, was sentenced by U.S District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of attempting to use a child to produce child pornography and one count of attempting to entice a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release, which includes sex offender monitoring and is required to register as a sex offender. Evidence presented during the four-day trial revealed that Thompson persuaded a Louisiana mother to use her child to produce a sexually explicit video.  Thompson also tried to sexually exploit the child. In December of 2013, the victim’s father found disturbing messages, pictures and a video sent from the defendant to the wife’s phone. The father then reported the matter to the DeRidder Police Department.

Homeland Security Investigations, the DeRidder Police Department, Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Department of Social Services conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie and John Luke Walker prosecuted the case.

“This case is disturbing in many ways, but it is also an example of how continued exploitation of children can be stopped,” Finley stated. “I want to encourage all victims of sexual abuse to speak up and know that there is help. We will continue to prosecute these cases and never take exploitation of children lightly. I want to thank the prosecutors and the state, local and federal law enforcement officers who worked diligently to ensure that justice was served in this case. ”

“Child sexual abuse is one of the most heinous crimes HSI investigates as it steals the innocence of children and leaves lasting scars on victims,” said Raymond R. Parmer Jr., special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans. “Criminals who prey on children will continue to be one of the agency’s highest priorities in order to protect the innocent from these terrible crimes.”

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 marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) DHS-2ICE.  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 (http://www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app). Tips also may be submitted anonymously.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Shreveport man was sentenced to 105 months in prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition after being convicted of a felony.

Daranski M. Wynder, 33, of Shreveport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the August 10, 2015 guilty plea, Shreveport police officers responded to a 911 call on January 6, 2015 reporting that there was a man standing outside his residence with a rifle. Wynder was found at this residence with rifle bullets in his pocket.  Police also found a 7.62 by 39 mm rifle and ammunition in his residence. Wynder was convicted in the 26th Judicial District Court in Webster Parish for monetary instrument abuse in 2011. He was also convicted in the First Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish for attempted felon in possession of a firearm in 2005 and for simple burglary in 2001.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative designed to reduce firearm crimes by removing dangerous and persistent felons from the community and promote firearm safety.

The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Ruston man was sentenced Wednesday to 147 months in prison for his role in a cocaine conspiracy that stretched across north Louisiana and led to the seizure of more than $517,000 in cash and resulted in charges for seven defendants.

Shannon D’Lario Jenkins, 34, of Ruston, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to 87 months in prison on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and 60 months in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking for a total of 147 months.  He was also sentenced to four years of supervised release.  According to the December 4, 2014 guilty plea, from June 2012 to July 2014, Jenkins along with Quincy D. Hoover, 40, and Quwanda L. Forest, 35, both of Natchez, La.; Jesse C. Thomas, 31, of Haynesville, La.; Rodney J. Raymond, 36, of Natchitoches, La.; Carlos C. Jenkins, 37, of Ruston, and Quincy J. Hobbs, 33, of Grand Prairie, Texas, conspired to distribute cocaine throughout Lincoln, Claiborne, Natchitoches, Sabine, DeSoto, Bossier and Caddo parishes with the source cities for the cocaine being Houston and Dallas.  Controlled purchases by law enforcement of cocaine powder and crack cocaine were made from several dealers during the investigation.  Federal and local law enforcement officials arrested five of the defendants on July 1, 2014, in the northwest Louisiana area, where more than $517,000 in cash, firearms, 16 pounds of marijuana and other items were seized.

Raymond was sentenced on March 26, 2015, to 97 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; Forest was sentenced on May 12, 2015, to 47 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy; and Carlos C. Jenkins was sentenced on June 2, 2015, to 30 months in prison and one year of supervised release for one count of unlawful use of a communication facility.  Hobbs, Thomas and Hoover were sentenced on June 29, 2015.  Hobbs was sentenced to 87 months in prison and four years of supervised release for conspiracy; Thomas was sentenced to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy; and Hoover was sentenced to 108 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

“The U.S. Attorney's Office, along with our federal, state and local partners, is committed to keeping our communities safe,” Finley stated.  “Breaking up this drug distribution ring was a huge step in countering the flow of illegal substances into the community.  I want to thank all the agencies who partnered with us on this case and who continue to work to enforce both federal and state narcotics laws.”

The defendants were prosecuted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation Pit Stop.  The DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, ICE, ATF, Louisiana State Police, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ruston Police Department, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Natchitoches Police Department, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier City Police Department, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, all participated in this OCDETF operation.  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 James G. Cowles Jr. and Cytheria D. Jernigan prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that an employee of an Opelousas tax preparation business and her boyfriend pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing customers’ identities in order to pocket income tax refunds.

Frances Owens, 36, and Kevin White, 33, both of Washington, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to one count of identity theft. According to the guilty plea, Owens worked as a tax preparer at Dee’s Tax Service in Opelousas in 2013.  While working at Dee’s Tax Service, Owens prepared false 2012 individual tax returns for at least two people that had not authorized her to do so.  While preparing the false tax returns, Owens took steps to ensure that the victims’ tax refund checks were sent to Dee’s Tax Service instead of the victims’ residences.  Owens and her boyfriend, White, then took possession of the checks, forged the victims’ signatures and obtained false identification cards in the names of the victims to cash the checks.  Specifically, on April 10, 2013, Owens illegally used a false identification card with her picture on it to cash a $5,838 check, and on April 12, 2013, White used a false identification card with his picture on it to cash a $4,727 check.

The defendants face up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution.

The IRS investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph is prosecuting the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Mexican national was sentenced to 13 months in prison for reentering the United States multiple times illegally.

Hugo Campuzano Cuellar, 37, of Villa de las Flores, Coacalco, Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien. According to the August 26, 2015 guilty plea, immigration officers encountered Cuellar in the St. Mary Parish jail on April 8, 2015. He admitted that he was a citizen of Mexico. He was previously removed from the United States on May 23, 2002, May 16, 2005 and May 7, 2009.

Homeland Security Investigations and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic A. Rossetti prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a man from Monroe was sentenced 60 months in prison for possessing a revolver after having been convicted of felonies.

Roderick Johnson, 34, of Monroe, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James 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 June 3, 2015 guilty plea, Johnson was found to be in possession of a Rohm model RG38 .38 caliber revolver at his residence on Angela Drive in Monroe, while a Louisiana State Trooper was investigating another matter on October 17, 2014. A records check indicated that Johnson had several felony convictions and was on probation at the time the weapon was found.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative designed to reduce firearm crimes by removing dangerous and persistent felons from the community and promote firearm safety.

The ATF and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie Jr. prosecuted the case.

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Bastrop resident was sentenced to 27 months in prison for not updating his sex offender registration.

Solomon Lewis Devoil, 50, of Bastrop, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James on one count of failure to register as a sex offender.  He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to evidence presented at the August 10, 2015, guilty plea, Devoil knowingly failed to register as a sex offender in Louisiana and traveled in and out of the Western District of Louisiana without registering as a sex offender in the State of Louisiana.

In December 1997, Devoil pleaded guilty in San Bernadino Superior Court in California to lewd act upon a child. The victim was 14, and Devoil was 32. He is required to register as a sex offender for life in the State of California as well as Louisiana. Bastrop Police arrested him for failure to appear in court in January 2014 and in February of 2014 for simple burglary. On May 12 and 14, 2015, Devoil failed to appear in court for hearings related to the simple burglary charge, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Devoil was arrested on June 15, 2015 on a federal arrest warrant at an elementary school in Oklahoma where he was working and transported back to Louisiana to face charges.

The U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael O’Mara prosecuted the case.

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Lafayette man pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing a firearm after having previously been convicted of a felony.

Jarrod Ty Foxworthy, 29, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to one count of possession of a firearm by convicted felon. According to the guilty plea, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office dispatched a deputy to investigate a complaint on April 2, 2013. Someone matching Foxworthy’s description was seen firing a weapon in the front yard of a home on Nyoka Circle in Lafayette. When Foxworthy arrived to be interviewed by the deputy, he was carrying a black Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and was later taken into custody. The defendant had been previously convicted in March of 2007 in North Carolina state court of common law robbery, for which he was sentenced to 12 to 15 months in prison.

Foxworthy faces up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release and a $10,000 fine.  A sentencing date was not set.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a Department of Justice initiative designed to reduce firearm crimes by removing dangerous and persistent felons from the community and promote firearm safety.

The ATF and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph is prosecuting the case.