Western District of Louisiana

ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Jorge Antonio Velez-Lopez, 69, a former Archdiocese priest and convicted child molester, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell for passport fraud. Velez has been sentenced to 12 months in prison with credit for time served and a term of supervised release for one year.  He was civilly denaturalized as a United States citizen and judicially ordered removed from the United States.  As result, once Velez finishes serving his federal sentence and his sentence of imprisonment for a state offense he committed in Maryland, Velez will be remanded to the custody of Immigration Customs and Enforcement to be deported to Colombia.   

According to documents introduced in court, Velez was born in Columbia and admitted to the U.S. as a temporary religious worker in 2003. On November 6, 2007, Velez was granted permanent residency. On March 15, 2013, he submitted an Application for Naturalization to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”).  On his application, Velez stated under penalty of perjury that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested, that he had never given false or misleading information to any U.S. Government official while applying for an immigration benefit, and that he had never lied to any U.S. Government official to gain entry or admission to the U.S.  On May 23, 2013, Velez was interviewed by a USCIS officer orally confirmed that he had never given false or misleading information to any U.S. Government official while applying for an immigration benefit and had never lied to any U.S. Government official to gain entry of admission to the U.S. while under oath and penalty of perjury.  In a ceremony on May 29, 2013, Velez took the Oath of Allegiance and was naturalized as a United States citizen.

On September 27, 2013, Velez submitted a passport application as well as his naturalization certificate to the U.S. Department of State. Velez declared under penalty of perjury that he had not included any false documents in support of the application.

On February 19, 2020, in Howard County, Maryland, Velez was arrested by local authorities and charged with five counts of 3rd degree sex offense and one count of 4th degree sex offense.  On May 14, 2021, in the Circuit Court for Howard County in Maryland, Velez pled guilty to sexual abuse of a minor for whom he had temporary responsibility for supervising, in violation of Maryland Criminal Code § 3-602(b)(1).  He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 9 years and ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Velez confessed to having sexually abused the victim from June 19, 2005, through June 18, 2009, while serving as the child’s priest.

“The United States Department of Justice, ICE, and our other federal law enforcement partners will use every tool in our arsenal to protect children and will prosecute and seek deportation of those who fraudulently obtain U.S. citizenship,” said Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. 

“This case sends a clear message to individuals who commit any type of sexual offense, particularly those involving children, during the naturalization process – we will ensure that justice is done,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov M. Roth. “The Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Litigation will continue to hold individuals responsible for sexual offenses, especially those involving child victims.”

The case was investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division in New Orleans as part of Operation False Haven, an ongoing national initiative designed to identify and prosecute child molesters and other egregious felons who fraudulently obtained United States citizenship.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell for the Western District of Louisiana prosecuted the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Devin Barrett with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Immigration Litigation and Autumn Cheramie with ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor.   

Rated court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer under case numbers 1:23-cr-00212 and 1:24-cv-01534. 

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ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Daniel Perryman Collins, 34, of Pineville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 325 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on child pornography charges.  

This case is the result of an investigation into individuals using the dark web to communicate with others regarding exploiting children on the internet and causing them to produce child pornography. From January to November 2023, Collins and his co-defendant, Michael Bo Peacock, both together and individually, for their sexual gratification, caused minor children to produce child pornographic and sexually explicit images and videos of themselves by the use of threats and blackmail. Collins conducted all of this illegal activity in Pineville, Louisiana, while Peacock was located in the Dallas, Texas area. 

According to information introduced in court, Collins and Peacock both participated in meeting children and coercing/blackmailing the children to engage in sexually explicit conduct and to produce videos of that conduct. Peacock would often contact a minor victim online and through various social media platforms, including SnapChat, and he and Collins would convince the minor victim to engage in sexually explicit activity and provide a video of that conduct. Collins and Peacock would then blackmail and threaten the victims to provide additional sexually explicit material. As part of the conspiracy, Collins utilized advanced security measures so that those images and materials could not be traced back to himself or Peacock. 

Collins and Peacock gave each other access to all of the child pornography they had caused minor victims to produce by obtaining an account with an overseas cloud-based file hosting service, so they could post and share the child pornography images and videos that they had produced or obtained. Both defendants had an encryption key to use to access the material they had posted to the site. Through their investigation, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Child Exploitation Operational Unit determined that Collins and Peacock exploited over 100 child victims and caused them to create child pornography. These images and videos were posted to their shared file hosting account.

On November 16, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Collins’ residence in Pineville. During the search, law enforcement agents obtained access to the cloud-based file hosting account of Collins and Peacock and were able to download all of the child pornography images and videos which they had created and posted to the account. 

Collins pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography and one count of enticing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity on November 21, 2024. Peacock pleaded guilty to the same charges on December 23, 2024, and will be sentenced at a later date. 

“The sexual exploitation of minor children and the activities that these men participated in is horrendous and sickening,” said Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “These types of cases are becoming more prevalent in the United States and internationally and can happen in your own neighborhood. We encourage parents to be vigilant in keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity that your children could potentially be exposed to. We will continue to work to uncover this type of illegal activity and protect our minor children from offenders like this.”

“Through relentless investigations and cutting-edge technology, the FBI works every day to uncover hidden networks, identify victims and bring perpetrators to justice,” said FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough. “Today’s sentencing sends the message that the FBI is committed to protecting vulnerable lives and ensuring no predator can thrive at the expense of our children.”

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Headquarter-based Child Exploitation Operation Unit, with assistance from the FBI’s New Orleans and Dallas Field Offices, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Danny Siefker.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. 

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport counseling service, Community Health Care Solutions, LLC (“Community Health”) and the estate of its deceased owner/operator, Yolanda Burnom, have agreed to pay $4,600,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicaid for reimbursement for services that were not rendered.   

Through the investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, law enforcement agents determined that Community Health, through Burnom’s operations, created a scheme to defraud the Medicaid program by offering financial incentives to Medicaid recipients to share their patient information. Burnom and her employees would use that patient information to bill Medicaid for crisis intervention services that did not occur.  Instead, counselors working for Community Health were instructed to create generic notes that could be cut and pasted onto patient files, in order to bill for crisis intervention, which carried the maximum reimbursement.  In many instances, the counselors never met the patients or provided any services at all.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on September 28, 2022, charging Burnom with one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, six counts of healthcare fraud, and two counts of wire fraud. Four months later, Burnom passed away unexpectedly, and civil litigation was the only remaining avenue for the United States to recover its money. 

“This type of fraud will not be tolerated, and we will continue to work with our federal and state partners to root out corruption and recover money for the taxpayers,” said Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “Providers who take advantage of the Medicaid program deprive other citizens of needed medical services.”

“The Medicaid program depends on the honesty and integrity of providers, particularly when they submit claims for essential behavioral health services,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This settlement underscores HHS-OIG’s commitment to working with our federal and state partners to safeguard taxpayer-funded benefit programs and investigate health care fraud.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill stated, “People who commit Medicaid fraud will be caught, prosecuted, and demanded to pay restitution. We will continue to combat abuse of the system and bring justice for the hard working taxpayers of Louisiana. Great job by my office and all of our federal partners.”

This settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, HHS-OIG, and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Theriot handled the civil litigation, along with HHS-OIG Special Agent Steven Cooper. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Reeg handled the criminal investigation.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Jeremy Wade Denegall, 45, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 144 months (12 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking charges.

On February 22, 2022, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of Denegall’s vehicle for a traffic violation on Interstate 10. Denegall was the sole occupant and driver of the vehicle. When officers approached the vehicle, they detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside and a search was conducted. Inside the vehicle they found a plastic baggie with a substance consistent with crack cocaine, a plastic bag containing a large amount of a crystal-like substance determined to be methamphetamine and also fentanyl. In addition, two firearms and a magazine with 19 rounds of ammunition and two digital scales were found.

Denegall was charged and pleaded guilty on November 15, 2024, to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. – Christopher Aaron Stanfield, 37, of Natchitoches, Louisiana, has been sentenced for possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.  United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Stanfield to 97 months (8 years, 1 month) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for the offense.   

On October 6, 2020, officers with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office executed an arrest warrant at Stanfield’s residence in Natchitoches. Prior to the execution of the arrest warrant, a search warrant had also been secured for Stanfield’s apartment in connection with a separate and ongoing investigation. During the arrest and search, law enforcement officers collected several electronic devices, including iPads, a laptop, and an iPhone. 

Stanfield was interviewed by law enforcement officers and admitted to committing several criminal offenses, including theft and identity theft. He further admitted that he had been using the “dark web” to commit these offenses. A subsequent forensic review of Stanfield’s seized electronic equipment was conducted by the Bossier City Marshal’s Office, Cybercrime Unit, and revealed that there were approximately 513 still images and 6 videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minor children. These images and videos included the rape of infants and toddlers. Stanfield pleaded guilty to the charge on March 14, 2024.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and Bossier City Marshal’s Office, Cybercrime Unit, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

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.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that the United States has obtained consent or default judgments in five civil fraud lawsuits alleging the individuals obtained loans for fictitious companies or fictitious self-employment under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). The defendants named in the lawsuits are Antoinette Kennedy, Andre Lane, Dieudonne Nlend, Tracey Thompson and Rashinda Harris. These defendants obtained forgiveness of their loans in violation of the False Claims Act. This litigation resulted in judgments in favor of the United States in the total amount of $138,413.72.  

The PPP was an emergency loan program established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act and administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”).  The PPP was created to provide forgivable loans to support small businesses struggling to pay employees and other business expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. When applying for PPP loans, borrowers were required to certify that they were eligible for the requested loan and that the information provided in the loan application was true and accurate.  To receive forgiveness, borrowers were required to submit signed loan forgiveness applications and documents containing certain information and certifications. 

The case involving defendant Kennedy began in May 2024 when agents began investigating a fraudulent PPP loan received by her. Investigators with the Army Criminal Investigation Unit learned that Kennedy had no business, business income, or business expenses as she falsely stated on her application for the PPP loan. Their investigation further revealed that Kennedy had learned about a scheme on Instagram and obtained loans on her own behalf and prepared the false paperwork. The government filed a complaint to recover damages and civil penalties under the False Claims Act for PPP funds which Kennedy received which she was not entitled to. A default judgment was obtained by the United States against Kennedy in the amount of $48,813.72.

Thompson and Harris were small business owners and allowed someone to assist them with the creating of their false PPP loan applications. Their applications exaggerated the amount of business income that each of them actually had. Both defendants were responsible for submitting false loan applications and received PPP loans to which they would have not been entitled to receive. Similarly, Lane was self-employed and submitted a false self-employment income claim. Lane’s application exaggerated his self-employment income.  A settlement was reached with each of these three defendants, and consent judgments were obtained by the United States in the amounts of $23,516, $23,415, and $23,435, respectively.

During the investigation of Dieudonne Nlend, agents interviewed him, and he admitted to falsifying self-employment income amounts. Nlend told agents that he used the proceeds from the PPP loan to assist a family member with a medical issue in another country. A consent judgment in the amount of $19,234 was obtained by the United States against Nlend.

“The United States Attorney’s Office will use every tool at our disposal - to include civil litigation - to root out fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer money,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “We are proud to work with our law enforcement partners to hold these wrongdoers accountable.”

The resolutions obtained were the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General, and for certain defendants, the Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division. The cases were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa L. Theriot.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Elijah D. Brown, 24, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Brown was sentenced to 63 months in prison, to run consecutive to a 42-month federal prison sentence he is currently serving for illegal possession of a machine gun, for a total of 105 months (8 years, 9 months) in prison. In addition, Brown was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,254,790.

In April 2024, a federal grand jury in Shreveport returned an indictment charging 21 defendants in connection with a federal bank fraud case in the Shreveport area. All of those defendants have now entered guilty pleas or entered into pretrial diversion agreements. A summary of the 20 remaining defendants and their status is as follows:

Defendant Name

Conviction/Sentence

Destane Glass, 23,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 3/27/25

Sharmaine Jackson, 26,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 6/5/2025

ZarRajah Z. Watkins, 23,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 4/24/2025

Arazhia R. Gully, 24,

Bossier City, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 2/20/2025

Eric D. Loud, 24,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 3/20/2025

Maya L. Green, 24,

Bossier City, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 3/27/2025

Olivia M. Deboe, 23,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentenced to 3 years supervised probation and ordered to pay $34,261.81 in restitution

Donte N. Larrimore, 24,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentenced to 3 years supervised probation

Shamaya S. Pouncy, 27,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentenced to 9 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $9,317.50

Precious Wilbert, 25,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentenced to 3 years of supervised probation

Cynthia R. Bryant, 22,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 4/10/2025

Trameka McGinty, 25,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 3/27/2025

Shaquentalas B. McGinty,

26, Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 6/5/25

Javonte J. Lejay, 28,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 3/27/2025

Octavia L. Mitchell, 33,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 3/20/2025

Shmarrian J. Taylor, 27,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
• Sentencing set for 3/27/2025

Rakeydra S. Shepherd, 28,

Shreveport, LA

• Pleaded guilty to possession of a counterfeit security
• Sentencing set for 2/20/2025

Tina Marie Bryant, 43,

Shreveport, LA

• Entered into Pretrial Diversion Agreement

Lakysa S. Barfield, 26,

Shreveport, LA

• Entered into Pretrial Diversion Agreement

Kyra D. Washington-Bates,

24, Shreveport, LA

• Entered into Pretrial Diversion Agreement

This scheme to defraud began in January 2021 and continued through October 31, 2022. The defendants admitted to their involvement in the conspiracy to defraud banks including USAA Savings Bank (“USAA Bank”), Navy Federal Credit Union, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Barksdale Federal Credit Union and Bank of America. 

Arazhiah Gully, Maya Green and ZarRajah Watkins worked at Teleperformance, a multinational company that provided business services including a call center in Shreveport. The call center provided customer service to USAA Bank. Gully, Green and Watkins all had access to USAA Bank customer information including names of customers, their ages, account balances, and account numbers. These three defendants admitted to conspiring with Destane Glass, Elijah Brown, Sharmaine Jackson, and others to defraud USAA Bank. Gully, Green and Watkins improperly obtained account holder information so that it could be used by others to create counterfeit USAA Bank checks, and they were paid to provide the account information. Counterfeit checks traced to accounts that these defendants accessed totaled over $4 million.

Glass, Brown and Jackson used social media and other methods to recruit individuals in the Shreveport area with bank accounts to use their accounts to deposit the counterfeit checks to make money. The co-defendants involved in the scheme would open accounts at various financial institutions under their own names and then provide their access cards and login information to other co-defendants. Counterfeit checks were then provided to these co-defendants to be deposited into their own personal bank accounts, and they were instructed to withdraw the funds in various ways, including making withdrawals at local casinos, through ATMs, Apple Cash payments, and PayPal payments. After withdrawing the money, the defendants would meet Glass, Brown, Jackson and other co-defendants in various places, including casino parking lots, and give the funds to them, with a portion of the proceeds going to the one who made the withdrawal. Activity in the casinos were captured by the surveillance cameras at those locations which helped solve the case. The counterfeit checks that were deposited were in varying amounts ranging from $5,000 to $40,000. 

“The defendants involved in this conspiracy shamelessly targeted vulnerable elderly victims, stealing their personal identifying and bank account information and using it to take advantage of them,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “We urge everyone to make a habit of checking your bank accounts regularly to avoid becoming a victim of this type of fraud. If you see suspicious transactions, report it to your bank immediately.”

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police and Shreveport Police Department and was prosecuted by Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Shaquaila Lewis a/k/a Shaquaila Lewis-Chatman, 36, of Gibsland, Louisiana, has been sentenced on one count of wire fraud. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Lewis to 27 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Restitution will be determined at a later date. 

In March 2020 Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ("CARES") Act which was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the CARES Act, the Small Business Administration ("SBA") provided Economic Injury Disaster Loans ("EIDL"), which were low-interest financing to small businesses, renters and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. The CARES Act also provided authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).

Lewis devised a scheme to defraud the SBA and various financial institutions by falsifying PPP and EIDL Program loan applications, forms, and other documents, and submitting fraudulent loan applications. At the sentencing hearing, the court found that Lewis was responsible for over $1.1 million in loss as a result of multiple fraudulent loans involving herself and others.

As an example, in February 2021, Lewis electronically submitted a false and fraudulent PPP application to Square Capital in the name of Perfect Memories Travel seeking approximately $20,833 in PPP funds. Lewis signed the application and falsely certified that the application and all information provided was true and accurate. Lewis falsely certified that the funds would be used “to retain workers and maintain payroll.” She also falsely certified that she had used the full loan amount from a prior PPP application submitted on behalf of Perfect Memories Travel only for eligible expenses. A few days later, Square Capital disbursed approximately $20,583 in loan benefits to a bank account held by Lewis, and she used those funds for personal expenses.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg and Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard of the Department of Justice Criminal Division – Fraud Section.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Huey P. Scott, Jr., 63, of Many, Louisiana, has been sentenced for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Scott was found guilty of the charge by a federal jury on September 18, 2024, following a three-day trial.

United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Scott to 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on the drug trafficking charge.  Evidence at the jury trial established that agents with the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Tactical Narcotics Team conducted controlled buys of methamphetamine from Scott at his residence in Many, Louisiana, on three separate occasions in 2022. Agents learned that Scott was a frequent user and distributor of methamphetamine, and it was proven that he sold the drugs.

After law enforcement conducted multiple controlled buys, agents executed a search warrant and arrested Scott at his residence. During the search of Scott’s property, agents found and seized a duffel bag containing a clear plastic bag which had approximately 139.31 grams of methamphetamine. In another bag, agents found what appeared to be smaller baggies containing smaller quantities of methamphetamine.  The seized drugs were tested by the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory and found to be methamphetamine. 

The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Tactical Narcotics Team and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mike Shannon and Earl M. Campbell.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Brandon James Willridge, 41, of Jennings, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to 84 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to information presented in court, in January 2023, law enforcement officers were familiar with Willridge and aware of his drug trafficking activities in the area and had an active arrest warrant for him. On January 30, 2023, officers with the Vermillion Parish Sheriff’s Office and Gueydan Police Department conducted a traffic stop of Willridge as the result of the active arrest warrant for him.

During the traffic stop, officers found Willridge to be in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun underneath the driver’s seat of the vehicle. In addition, Willridge had a bottle containing several orange pills in the driver door console of the vehicle, which were confirmed to be Alprazolam, a controlled substance. Other evidence indicated Willridge had been trafficking in narcotics during this time in the Gueydan and Lake Arthur areas. Willridge pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information on October 18, 2024, charging him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Willridge has prior felony convictions for false representation of a controlled substance in 2003 and possession with intent to distribute marijuana in 2010. 

The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Vermillion Parish Sheriff’s Office and Gueydan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Myers P. Namie.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Jerry O. Pearson, 62, of Alexandria, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell for committing wire fraud. Pearson was sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to his victims in the amount of $3,431,152.21.  

According to information presented in court, Pearson was the owner/operator of Mid South Retirement Services, LLC (“Mid South”) located in Boyce, Louisiana, from 2012 to 2021. Pearson managed Self-Directed Individual Retirement Accounts (SDIRA). An SDIRA is an IRA held by a custodian that allows investment in a wider range of assets than most conventional IRA custodians permit. Mid South served as the custodian of SDIRAs and managed approximately $40 million in assets. Pearson was also the registered agent and manager/member of an unrelated company, Gray-Walk Farms, LLC, which was registered in the State of Louisiana and located in Alexandria. Gray-Walk Farms is unrelated to Mid South and did not provide SDIRAs. 

Pearson created a scheme to defraud clients where he would take funds that Mid South was holding as the custodian, and transfer them to other accounts he controlled, without the client’s permission. Pearson used intermediary accounts at financial institutions in the Western District of Louisiana and elsewhere in the name of Mid South and others to move the money out of the Mid South Funding account where client funds were held. The funds would then be moved to Gray-Walk Farm’s accounts, Pearson’s personal bank accounts, or investment accounts in his name. In total, during the scheme, Pearson transferred $3,431,152.21 in client funds from the Mid South client funding bank account to other accounts he controlled. Pearson then used the funds for himself, as well as the benefit of his family and other companies that he controlled. In order to keep the scheme from being detected, Pearson would misrepresent to clients that he was investing the funds as they had directed, when, in fact, he was taking the money.  Pearson pleaded guilty on August 16, 2024, to the Bill of Information charging him with one count of wire fraud.

“Unfortunately, there were over 70 victims who fell prey to Pearson’s schemes and lies in connection with this case and many are left without their life savings and retirement as a result of his selfish actions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “This defendant conned many people for years, but his actions have finally caught up with him. This sentence should send a message that if you commit this type of fraud, you will go to prison.”

“Mr. Pearson abused the trust of his clients for the benefit of himself and his family," said Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of FBI New Orleans. “The FBI will continue to work with partners like the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions to bring justice to people who are victimized in cases like this.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth D. Reeg. The Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions was also involved in the investigation.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that three individuals from Shreveport have been sentenced for their involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy which resulted in the death of a Shreveport man. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced the three defendants today.

Martin William Thompson, 53, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Rachel Ann Hassell, 47, was sentenced to 121 months (10 years, 1 month) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Courtney Renee Cox, 41, was sentenced to 121 months (10 years, 1 month) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

In addition, Thompson and Cox were ordered to pay $13,234.73 in restitution to the deceased victim's family.

Thompson, Hassell, and Cox were charged in an indictment in April 2022 with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury, possession with intent to distribute heroin, using or maintaining drug premises and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.  

In 2021, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office received information about the distribution of fentanyl and other illegal drugs in the Shreveport area and began an investigation. At the direction of DEA agents, on July 24, 2021, a Louisiana State Police trooper stopped a vehicle being driven by two individuals on Jewella Avenue in Shreveport. During a subsequent search of their car, agents found 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.1 kilograms of fentanyl in a brick form, and 639.9 grams of fentanyl pills (over 5,000 pills). Agents learned that these two individuals had mad multiple previous trips to El Paso to purchase narcotics dating back to January 2021. Through their investigation, agents learned that the fentanyl pills were destined for Martin Thompson and that he had purchased the fentanyl. 

On May 29, 2021, officers responded to a single car crash in Greenwood, Louisiana, and discovered that the driver was unconscious and not breathing but was otherwise uninjured. Inside the vehicle was the driver’s minor son who was also unharmed. The driver passed away that day and the medical examiner determined his death was caused by a fentanyl overdose. Further investigation by DEA agents proved that the driver had obtained fentanyl from Courtney Cox, who had gotten it from her local supplier, Thompson. Cox later confessed to supplying the deceased victim with the fentanyl she obtained from Thompson. She also admitted that Thompson had warned her that the fentanyl pills were very strong and to only snort a half pill. Cox explained that she passed the warning to her customers, including the deceased victim. 

Through further investigation into this drug trafficking conspiracy, Rachel Hassell was arrested in Shreveport in September 2021 for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, later determined to be heroin. Following her arrest, DEA agents searched Thompson’s business and discovered more heroin. In total, the lab determined that Hassell possessed 50.864 grams of heroin. Agents obtained a search warrant for Hassell’s cell phone and learned that Thompson was receiving large shipments of fentanyl through another co-conspirator and Hassell began distributing the fentanyl along with Thompson. Numerous text messages were found between Hassell and Thompson concerning the delivery of fentanyl. The text messages showed that the two were working together to distribute the fentanyl, as well as heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana, and were storing the drugs at his place of business on Williamson Way in Shreveport. Hassell admitted to agents that she and Thompson discussed that the fentanyl pills were very strong, and he should tell his customers to consume only a half pill at a time.

Thompson and Cox each pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury. Hassell pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information charging her with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and using or maintaining drug premises for the purpose of distributing and using fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana.

“This is the first distribution of fentanyl resulting in death conviction obtained in the Western District of Louisiana,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Fentanyl is a very dangerous drug and just a few grains of the substance can have deadly consequences which is unfortunately what happened in this case. We will continue to vigorously prosecute those who possess this drug, and any other illegal controlled substances, and will work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to disrupt these traffickers, stopping them in their tracks.” 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Louisiana State Police, and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert F. Moody.

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MONROE, La. – Jarrell M. Palmer, 44, of Jonesboro, Louisiana, was sentenced today for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Palmer to 188 months (15 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.  

In April 2023, agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted a suspicious package mailed from California to an address in Jonesboro. Agents exposed the package to an open air examination by a narcotic detecting K-9 who alerted to the presence of the odor of narcotics coming from inside the box. A warrant was obtained, and agents found several jigsaw puzzle boxes inside, one which contained Ziplock-style bags wrapped in plastic wrap and carbon paper. Inside those bags were more than 5,000 pills suspected to be fake oxycodone tablets. Subsequent chemical analysis determined that the pills comprised a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and weighed approximately 552.5 grams. 

Law enforcement agents repackaged the box and conducted a controlled delivery of the package to the front door of the Jonesboro address. Agents observed the defendant’s mother retrieve the package from the front doorstep and take it inside the residence. Shortly thereafter, agents were alerted by way of sensors installed on the package that it had been opened and they converged on the home to execute the search warrant. Agents found Palmer standing outside of the home and arrested him. Palmer had residue on his hands from spray that was added to the package by law enforcement agents. Inside the home was the suspicious package containing the jigsaw puzzle boxes with the fentanyl, as well as marijuana and a digital scale. Palmer admitted that the suspicious package was his and that he sold the pills to other individuals. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl on December 12, 2023. 

The case was investigated by U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office and Metro Narcotics Unit in Monroe, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Shannon.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal jury returned a guilty verdict today against Keynon Frazier, a/k/a “Green Eyez,” 29, of Shreveport, on an illegal possession of firearms charge. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. presided over the three-day jury trial.  

Evidence presented at trial showed that on April 15, 2024, officers with the Shreveport Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by Frazier in the downtown Shreveport area, which ended with his vehicle crashing into a telephone pole and another vehicle. Officers approached the crashed vehicle and found Frazier, who was the sole occupant and driver of the vehicle.  Also inside the vehicle on the front passenger floorboard, officers found two firearms, a Glock 17 firearm, and a Glock 45 firearm, along with an expended shell casing stuck within the chamber of the Glock 45. In addition, there was a bullet-size hole found in the front driver’s side windshield of the vehicle.

Officers determined that Frazier had prior felony convictions for aggravated battery and second degree robbery, and he was arrested at the scene and taken into custody. As a convicted felon, Frazier was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before reaching their guilty verdict. 

Frazier faces a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  Sentencing for Frazier has been set for May 22, 2025, at 3:00.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Aaron Crawford and Cheyenne Wilson.

# # #

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two men in Monroe yesterday. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the defendants as follows:

Desmond K. Hollins, 47, of Monroe, was sentenced to 128 months (10 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.  In November 2022, officers with the Metro Narcotics Unit in Monroe executed a search warrant at Hollins’ home in Monroe. During that search, law enforcement officers found methamphetamine, a digital scale, and packaging material, as well as four firearms and various rounds of ammunition. The seized narcotics were sent to the crime lab for analysis and was confirmed to be a mixture and substance of methamphetamine and weighed 322.75 grams. Hollins pleaded guilty on September 4, 2024, to the charges and agreed to forfeiture of the four seized firearms and ammunition.

Justin Wright, 45, of West Monroe, was sentenced to 96 months (8 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.  On August 15, 2023, officers with the West Monroe Police Department went to a residence in West Monroe after receiving a report that Wright was firing a pistol in his yard. When law enforcement officers arrived, they found Wright standing in his yard with a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm pistol in his front waist band. Wright has previous felony convictions for attempted possession of a firearm by a felon and simple arson and knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. He was arrested and charged with one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Wright pleaded guilty to the charge on September 24, 2024. 

These cases were investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Monroe Police Department, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, and West Monroe Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and Seth D. Reeg.

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MONROE, La. – Seven defendants were sentenced this week in the Monroe Division for illegal possession of firearms and narcotics, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the defendants as follows:

• Adrien Marcel Brown, 44, of St. Joseph, Louisiana was sentenced to 126 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute or possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On April 14, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant of the residence of Brown and Andrea Lenae Bass, Brown’s co-defendant. Agents found methamphetamine inside the home. The suspected narcotics were sent to the crime lab for analysis and confirmed to be over 50 grams of pure methamphetamine. Brown pleaded guilty on September 4, 2024.
• Bobby R. Thompson, 45, of Monroe, was sentenced to 68 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On March 21, 2024, Monroe Police Department officers detained Thompson due to an active arrest warrant as well as a battery investigation. Thompson was found to be in possession of a SCCY CPX-1 9mm pistol and ammunition. Thompson was a convicted felon and knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition and was arrested. He pleaded guilty to the charge on September 18, 2024.
• Desmond Copeland, 37, of Monroe, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a domestic complaint involving Copeland on April 6, 2024. Deputies found Copeland to be in possession of a Smith & Wesson M&P 9 9mm pistol and ammunition. As a convicted felon, Copeland was prohibited from possessing the firearm and ammunition. He pleaded guilty on September 24, 2024.
• Shawn M. Robertson, 39, of Monroe, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In August 2023, a Louisiana State Police trooper attempted to stop Robertson’s vehicle for speeding. The trooper lost sight of Robertson for a short time but found him in a nearby driveway. Robertson was the sole occupant and driver of the vehicle. The trooper found a loaded 9mm magazine on the floorboard of the vehicle. Meanwhile, another trooper was stopped by a passing motorist who stated that he had found an abandoned pistol on the road. Law enforcement officers investigated further and learned that the magazine in Robertson’s vehicle fit the pistol found on the road and learned that Robertson’s girlfriend had purchased the Taurus G2C firearm approximately 85 days before. In addition, their investigation confirmed that Robertson had the firearm in his possession before ejecting it from the vehicle onto the roadway. Robertson pleaded guilty on September 16, 2024, and admitted to knowing he was in possession of the firearm despite being prohibited from doing so.
• Dylan Cueto, 33, of West Monroe, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  On April 12, 2024, deputies with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the residence of Cueto. Deputies found him in possession of a Smith & Wesson M&P 380 Shield pistol, a Marlin 12-gauge shotgun, a Bushmaster XM15-E2S rifle, and ammunition. Cueto pleaded guilty on September 24, 2024, and admitted to possessing the firearms and ammunition knowing he was prohibited from doing so.
• Dequarius Dequan Bailey, 30, of Monroe, was sentenced to 68 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In December 2023, Monroe Police Department officers executed a search warrant at Bailey’s residence and found a DPMS A-15 223-5.56mm rifle loaded with a high-capacity drum magazine hidden under his bed. Law enforcement officers also found a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol hidden in the bathroom. Bailey was arrested and admitted to possessing the firearms despite the fact that he was a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing them. Bailey pleaded guilty to the charge on April 19, 2024. 
• Dalton W. Knight, 24, of West Monroe, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On February 11, 2023, an individual sold a Savage rifle to a pawn shop in West Monroe. An investigation by Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office determined that the firearm had previously been stolen. Deputies interviewed the individual that sold the firearm and learned that he had purchased it from another individual and that had traded with Knight for the firearm on December 31, 2022. Knight admitted to possessing the rifle and trading it. He pleaded guilty to the charge on September 24, 2024, and admitted to knowing that as a convicted felon he was prohibited from having any firearm in his possession. 

“There is a reason why crime is down in Monroe and the surrounding area,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “In partnering with our local district attorney’s offices and law enforcement agencies, we are highly focused on targeting the right offenders and seeking sentences of imprisonment for those who illegally possess firearms and distribute narcotics in our communities. Our office, the DEA and the ATF will forever appreciate these partnerships which are vital to public safety.”

These cases were investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Louisiana State Police, Monroe Police Department and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Cathy Semmes and Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy, William C. Gaskins, and Mike Shannon prosecuted the cases.

# # #

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Richard Dean Hicks, 68, of Pioneer, Louisiana, has been convicted by a jury in Monroe following a three-day trial. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty presided over the trial.

Hicks was charged in a superseding indictment September 27, 2023, with attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of promotion and solicitation of child pornography and five counts of attempted production of child pornography. The charges in the indictment stemmed from a nationwide investigation that began in 2012 into individuals who were soliciting child sex traffickers in the Philippines to share child sexual abusive material (CSAM) via live stream video. The individuals under investigation paid money for the child sex traffickers in the Philippines to sexually abuse children, while they watched and directed the sex trafficker’s sexual abuse of the children.

Through this investigation, agents with Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at a residence in Philadelphia. As a result of evidence obtained, agents were able to identify an individual in the Philippines who was selling the sexually explicit live webcam shows of female adults engaging in the sexual abuse of underage children. Further investigation led to the identification of an individual in Louisiana, later identified as Hicks, who had been communicating with multiple females in the Philippines. From December 2017 through July 2020, Hicks and the females in the Philippines shared approximately 500 text messages and live video Skype calls wherein Hicks would pay the Philippine females to sexually abuse children as young as 5 years of age while he watched and told the women the type of sexual abuse he wanted them to perform on the children.

Evidence was introduced at trial proving that Hicks had communicated with these females in the Philippines via text messages and Skype video calls and paid money through Western Union on numerous occasions to view these individuals performing sexually explicit acts with underage children. The payments ranged from $25 to $120.

On May 31, 2022, agents obtained a federal search warrant for Hicks’ residence in Pioneer, Louisiana, and seized all of his computers and other electronic equipment used to participate in watching these sex shows in exchange for money.

The jury took just 2½ hours to reach their verdict of guilty on all counts in the indictment. Hicks was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service immediately following the verdict. Hicks faces a sentence not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, followed by up to lifetime supervised release, and a fine of up to $ 250,000. His sentencing will be set at a later date.   

“This case involves some of the most heinous forms of child abuse that we have seen,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “It is because of the determination and hard work of the agents with Homeland Security Investigations that this international investigation led to north Louisiana and the home of this defendant. Children should never be exposed to this kind of abuse and it is our calling to continue fighting to stop this kind of illegal activity by defendants like Hicks.”

"This type of abuse is uniquely insidious. Criminal buyers like Hicks pay to direct adults to sexually abuse children in other countries on livestreams that are challenging for investigators to find and disrupt. Despite the complexity of this case the jury saw the magnitude of the crime and their verdict sends the message those who victimize children will be held accountable. HSI will never cease in our efforts to dismantle these abuse networks and seek justice for the children they victimize,” said Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune for Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans.

The defendant who was arrested in Philadelphia was sentenced to 228 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release. The female subjects in the Philippines are still the subject of a joint ongoing investigation with the Philippines and U.S. law enforcement. Numerous other females have been arrested. Pursuant to this investigation, there have been over 300 children rescued to date.

The case was investigated by HSI New Orleans with assistance from HSI New England, divisions of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Casey N. Richmond and J. Luke Walker.

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.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Joseph Carlton Etienne, 40, of Lake Charles was sentenced this week in the Lake Charles Division of the Western District of Louisiana. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Etienne to 71 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm.  

According to information presented in court, on or about September 7, 2022, Etienne was located at a Dollar General by detectives with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office for outstanding warrants. Etienne attempted to leave the Dollar General after observing law enforcement there and he was stopped and arrested. Law enforcement officers found Etienne in possession of a Glock 9mm handgun and ammunition inside his vehicle. Etienne has several prior felony convictions, including possession of controlled dangerous substances, resisting an officer, and attempted possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. 

A federal grand jury returned an indictment in March 2024 charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Etienne pleaded guilty to the charge on September 6, 2024, and admitted to possessing the firearm and ammunition knowing he was prohibited from doing so. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Casey N. Richmond.

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

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SHREVEPORT, LAFAYETTE, MONROE, ALEXANDRIA, LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown has announced his resignation, effective January 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. from the Department of Justice.  Brown was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. to the position of United States Attorney on November 15, 2021, confirmed by the United States Senate on December 7, 2021, and sworn in on December 10, 2021.  During his tenure as United States Attorney, Brown served as the chief law enforcement officer in the Western District of Louisiana, which includes 42 of the state’s 64 parishes and geographically encompasses two-thirds of the state of Louisiana. As U.S. Attorney, Brown oversaw the investigation and litigation of all federal criminal and civil cases brought on behalf of the United States in the Western District of Louisiana. 

“It has been the honor of a lifetime and the pinnacle of my career to serve the American people and the citizens of the Western District of Louisiana for 12 years, with the last 3 being the U.S. Attorney. I thank President Biden for nominating me, Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy for their constant and unwavering support and Attorney General Merrick Garland for his vision and guidance during my tenure,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “Working with the men and women in this office over the years as well as our federal, state, and local partners has been the privilege of a lifetime. They are my family and will be sorely missed. U.S. Department of Justice employees are American heroes.”

During his tenure, U.S. Attorney Brown led an office of approximately 90 prosecutors, civil litigators, and administrative and support personnel in executing the mission of the U.S. Department of Justice by representing the United States in federal court. In his role, he oversaw investigations and prosecutions mainly involving violent crimes, firearm offenses, child exploitation, health care fraud, drug trafficking, gang activities, civil rights violations, public corruption, and white-collar crime offenses.

Within months of being confirmed, Brown was chosen by Attorney General Merrick Garland to serve on his Attorney General Advisory Committee (AGAC) as the U.S. Fifth Circuit representative. The AGAC is comprised of a select group of U.S. Attorneys that assists the Attorney General in creating department wide policy for all 94 districts and other DOJ components. It was created to serve as the voice of the U.S. Attorneys and to advise the Attorney General on policy, management and operational issues impacting the offices of the U.S. Attorneys. In addition, he also served on the AGAC’s white collar crime, violent crime, and civil rights subcommittees. In 2023, Brown was appointed to the Resource Allocation Working Group (RAWG), comprised of another select group of U.S. Attorneys and DOJ leaders, chosen to advise the Executive Office for United States Attorneys and the Deputy Attorney General on the allocation of personnel resources in all United States Attorneys’ Offices.

Under Brown’s leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s Office successfully prosecuted hundreds of firearms cases in an effort to reduce violent crime in our district. Other priority cases included the trafficking of drugs to include fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin, as well as public corruption, child pornography, and human trafficking. As a result of these efforts, the district saw significant declines in the violent crime rates in the Shreveport and Monroe divisions in 2023 and 2024. These results were a by-product of Brown developing close and strong working relationships with other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and state district attorneys’ offices. For example, Brown entered into agreements with several state district attorneys that allowed state prosecutors to become Special Assistant United States Attorneys and prosecute violent crime in federal court. The District has also been a DOJ leader in the implementation of E-Litigation strategies resulting in enhanced efficiency of investigations and litigation.  A sampling of notable cases and outreach efforts during U.S. Attorney Brown’s tenure are as follows:

Civil Cases/Asset Recovery

• The district court ordered William Ross Hickman to pay restitution of over $2.6 million pursuant to a conviction of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud for which he received 52 months in prison.  The Financial Litigation Unit (FLU) secured an order of foreclosure and sale of motor vehicles, jewelry and immovable property belonging to Hickman resulting in approximately $900,000 being applied to Hickman’s restitution balance;
• A Clean Air Act enforcement case was brought in United States v. Power Performance Enterprises, et. al for manufacturing and selling devices that thwart the emission controls installed on diesel trucks.  This office filed a garnishment against the defendants resulting in the seizure of $1,000,000 in satisfaction of civil penalties;
• Entered into a settlement where Lafayette Physical Rehabilitation Hospital and its parent company Acadiana Management Group, paid $1.2 million, and Dr. Carolyn Smith agreed to pay $575,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicare for unnecessarily inpatient rehabilitation services;
• The District’s Financial Litigation Unit secured more than $49 million in collections for victims of crimes and to satisfy debts owed to the United States.  The unit also forfeited $200,000 in property seized from criminal defendants and arising out of civil forfeiture matters.

Civil Rights/Public Integrity Accomplishments

• Joined the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle and Eastern Districts of Louisiana in opening an investigation into the Louisiana State Police to assess whether the department has a pattern and practice of engaging in racially discriminatory policing. The investigation is pending.  Also joined these offices in filing a lawsuit against the state of Louisiana and the Louisiana Department of Corrections (LDOC) for violating the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) alleging that the state and LDOC has a pattern and practice of confining incarcerated persons for weeks and sometimes months after they have completed their prison sentences and are legally entitled to be released. This litigation is pending;
• Jared Desadier, a former Monroe Police Department officer, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison on excessive force charges when the victim, who posed no threat to] officers, surrendered after leading officers on a brief foot chase;
• Dylan Hudson, a former Shreveport Police Department officer, was sentenced to 21 months in prison after beating and tasing a non-violent loitering victim;
• Former Shreveport Police Department officers Jeffrey Peters and James Cisco pled guilty to wire fraud conspiracy charges for defrauding the Community-Based Crime Reduction Program, a grant administered by the DOJ that pays officers for overtime worked;
• Former Desoto Parish Sheriff Deputies Javarrea Pouncy and Demarkes Grant were sentenced to 37 months and 10 months in prison respectively for using excessive force against a detainee at the Desoto Parish jail;
• Harold “BJ” Sanford, a former Bossier City Police sergeant, was sentenced to 1 year and a day in federal prison for defrauding the Bossier City Police Union and obtaining controlled substances by fraud;
• Chance Seneca was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempting to murder a gay man as part of a months-long hate crimes scheme to kidnap and murder gay men.

Child Exploitation

• An investigation revealed William Malone sexually abused and threatened a child over several years, oftentimes from a vessel off the coast of Louisiana, near Abbeville, Louisiana. Malone was sentenced to a total of 160 years on all counts and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $206,580.80;
• Jacob De La Paz, a high school teacher and coach was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for attempted receipt of child pornography after requesting a pornographic video over social media from a student;
• Gary Harper was sentenced to 300 months in prison for production of child pornography involving children between 13 and 16 years old in the Monroe area.  The investigation revealed he victimized over 25 minor females;
• Deray Richard was sentenced to 228 months in prison in connection with a human trafficking case in which he groomed and later physically and sexually assaulted multiple victims. The illicit activity took place in Kentucky, north Texas, and Bossier City, LA.

Drug Diversion/Drug Trafficking Convictions

• Brian Broussard and Sheila Adams were sentenced to 162 and 24 months respectively for drug conspiracy and firearm charges arising out of the Lafayette area;
• Larry Daniels, a medical doctor authorized to treat patients with opioid addictions, was sentenced to 36 months in prison and a $20,000 fine for prescribing controlled substances, some which were opioids, outside the bonds of medical practices;
• Gabriel Hawthorne was sentenced to 120 months in prison for conspiring with Frederick Thornton (210 months) and Andrea Mitchell (18 months) for distributing heroin and fentanyl in the Lafayette area. Customers were led to believe they were purchasing heroin, when in fact it the heroin was laced with fentanyl;
• Brian Jesus Garcia Pena and 3 additional defendants were sentenced to a total of 560 months after using smuggled contraband cellular telephones to communicate with Mexican cartel members to coordinate methamphetamine trafficking into USP Pollock;
• Anthony Pouncy and 9 additional defendants were sentenced to a combined 708 months on cocaine trafficking, money laundering charges and Payroll Protection Program (PPP) fraud;
• James Weeks and 6 additional defendants were sentenced to a combined 1,308 months for a methamphetamine and firearm charges involving drug smuggling with the Mexican cartel at USP Pollock, the Natchitoches area, Alexandria area as well as portions of Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Fraud/White Collar

• Convicted 24 members or affiliates of Shreveport street gang Step or Die (SOD) of wire fraud charges after they obtained over $600,000 in SBA PPP loans and attempted to obtain another $2.2 million for no legitimate business purposes.  The defendants used the money, in part, to purchase firearms and conduct other illicit activities. Sentences ranged anywhere from supervised probation to 71 months in prison;
• Joseph Boswell was sentenced to 60 months in prison and $646,259.70 in restitution for bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion after concocting schemes to avoid paying taxes and creditors from whom he borrowed;
• In US v. David D. DeBerardinis, Shreveport businessman DeBerardinis pleaded guilty to wire fraud after defrauding numerous victims out of millions of dollars. DeBerardinis represented himself and his business entities to be part of a major energy company in the petroleum industry involved in a complex fuel trading business, soliciting private funds in exchange for guaranteed return of principal and interest. However, at the time the funding was obtained, he was not making fuel trades nor was he part of the energy company. In 2022, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $51,462,909.66 in restitution to his victims;
• Michael Tolliver was sentenced to 120 months in prison and over $1.1 million in restitution in a PPP and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) scheme. The PPP and EIDL programs were established to assist employers severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic;
• Krystal Glover-Wing was sentenced to 72 months and ordered to pay $3.6 million in restitution after being convicted for conspiracy to commit health care fraud;
• Charged 21 defendants with conspiracy to commit bank fraud in an elder fraud investigation where employees of Teleperformance conspired with others to target elderly USAA bank customers to obtain account information for fraudulent purposes. The investigation is ongoing.

Violent Crime/Terrorism

• In a domestic terrorism investigation, Daniel Aikens was sentenced to 16 years in prison for illegal explosive related charges. In September 2019, Aikens caused an explosion at Cloyd’s Beauty School in Monroe, a Texaco gas station in Alexandria in December 2019 and a Payday Today in Alexandria in January 2020;
• Montrelle Jones was sentenced to 78 months in prison after a Monroe Police Officer foiled an attempt by Jones, who had a pending domestic protective order, to brandish a firearm at a Neville High School basketball game during a fight that took place outside the gym;
• Jeremiah Deare and Sarah Fogle were sentenced to 97 and 60 months respectively for conspiring to deal firearms without a license, making false statements in records required to be kept by a licensed firearms dealer and failing to run required background checks in connection with the unlicensed firearm business.  These defendants operated Dave’s Gun Shop of Lafayette.  During the investigation, 619 firearms were forfeited;
• Joseph Harrison was sentenced to 216 months, Cody Williams was sentenced to 300 months and Drapper Anthony, Jr. was sentenced to 240 months in prison in a case involving a conspiracy to commit kidnapping devised by members and associates of the All The Money (ATM) Acadiana area street gang.  The gang lured an individual from Los Angeles to Lafayette under the guise of executing a multistate narcotics transaction. Once present in Lafayette, the victim was kidnapped and ransom demands were made including $300,000, 100 pounds of marijuana and high-end jewelry;
• Lake Charles Police responded to the home of Jordan Soileau after receiving a report that he had beaten a woman with whom he lived with.  Soileau, a convicted felon, had numerous firearms in the home. One of the firearms was as a semi-automatic rifle with a silencer and auto-sear conversion device, allowing it to illegally operate as a machine gun.  Soileau was sentenced to 86 months in prison.

Partnerships with Federal, State & Local Law Enforcement/Community Outreach

• Through the Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, this office has trained approximately 1,000 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers across the state of Louisiana annually since U.S. Attorney Brown was confirmed. Also, approximately 50 U.S. Attorney awards have also been granted to federal, state and local law enforcement for exemplary performance in investigations;
• U.S. Attorney Brown, the district’s law enforcement coordinator and numerous Assistant United States Attorneys have participated on law enforcement panels around the country sharing case studies and best practices regarding both federal civil and criminal investigations;
• Convened a Shreveport based community advisory group of 15 members called “Focusing on the Future” that advised U.S. Attorney Brown, on a monthly basis, how the community can assist in civil rights issues and violent crime prevention strategies;
• The District participated in the Shreveport area National Night Out activities with local law enforcement, Paint Your Heart Out and Love the Boot all in conjunction with the City of Shreveport;
• Partnered with the DOJ’s Criminal Rights Division to participate in the department’s Southern Civil Rights Tour in March 2023. Meetings were held with community advocates in Tallulah, LA, students and administration at Grambling State University, Bossier and Caddo Parish students and Shreveport area community advocates;
• Partnered with the DOJ’s Community Relations Service, FBI, Louisiana State University at Shreveport, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Shreveport Police Department, People Acting for Change and Equality (PACE), Louisiana Trans Advocates, Acadiana Queer Collective and Community Advocate to host forums in Lafayette and Shreveport in furtherance of the DOJ’s United Against Hate platform which is an effort to discuss strategies and resources to help prevent LGBTQIA+ hate crimes.

Before becoming United States Attorney in 2021, Brown served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana beginning in November 2012, where he prosecuted a wide range of criminal offenses. In March 2017, U.S. Attorney Brown was appointed as the Project Safe Neighborhoods Coordinator for the district, charged with coordinating two task forces comprised of federal and state law enforcement agencies with the goal of investigating and prosecuting firearm and high-end violent crime organizations in the WDLA.  He left the office in March 2018 to accept a position in private practice and then rejoined the Shreveport Criminal Division in October 2018 as the Shreveport Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) attorney and the district’s Violent Crime Coordinator.

Brown is from Richwood, Louisiana, and a graduate of Ouachita Parish High School in Monroe, LA. He went on to obtain both a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems in 2002, and a Master of Business Administration in 2004 from Louisiana Tech University.  Brown received his law degree from Southern University Law Center in 2007 and began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney at the Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office in Monroe, Louisiana.

Pursuant to the Vacancies Reform Act, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, a 25 year veteran of the office, will succeed Mr. Brown as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana until a successor is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. 

# # #

ALEXANDRIA, La. – Kaelin Williams, 27, of Alexandria, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell for illegal possession of a machine gun, announced U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Williams was sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release. 

Williams was charged in an indictment with one count of illegal possession of a machine gun and he pleaded guilty to the charge on August 21, 2024. On March 1, 2024, a federal search warrant was executed on Williams and his brother’s residence in Alexandria. At the time of the execution of the search warrant, Williams was the sole occupant of the residence and was found with two machine guns, both being Anderson Model AM-15 AR-Type multi-caliber pistols each containing a machine gun conversion device. In addition, law enforcement agents found several additional machine gun conversion devices, often referred to as “Glock switches.”  Williams acknowledged to agents that he knew the “Glock switches” were illegal and that they turned a firearm into a machine gun. 

The case was investigated by the ATF, Homeland Security Investigations and Alexandria Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren L. Gardner.

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

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two men from Acadia Parish were sentenced today by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays on firearms charges. 

Tylius Arceneaux, 35, of Lafayette, Louisiana was sentenced to 37 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. On July 7, 2021, Arceneaux was involved in a single vehicle crash in Lafayette. At the time of the crash, he was in possession of a Beretta 9mm semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine loaded with approximately 23 rounds of ammunition. Law enforcement officers learned that Arceneaux had numerous felony convictions which prohibited him from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Arceneaux admitted to illegally possessing the loaded firearm, knowing that he was prohibited from doing so, and pleaded guilty to the charge on September 5, 2024. 

The case was investigated by ATF and Lafayette Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren L. Gardner.

Kiari Robinson, 35, of Crowley, Louisiana, was sentenced to 37 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Robinson was charged in an indictment with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and pleaded guilty to the charge on September 4, 2024. On November 11, 2022, narcotics agents working with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle run a stop sign and activated the emergency lights in their fully marked vehicle. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop for law enforcement and began to flee traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle finally came to a stop and the driver was identified as Robinson. When the deputies approached Robinson’s vehicle, they observed a black Glock handgun with an extended magazine sitting on the driver’s side floorboard. Deputies learned that Robinson was a convicted felon, having been previously convicted of several offenses in Acadia Parish, and they seized the firearm. A subsequent search of Robinson’s cell phone revealed photos of him holding the seized firearm. At his guilty plea, Robinson admitted that he possessed the gun, knowing he was prohibited from doing so. 

The case was investigated by ATF and Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

# # #

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown, along with Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Percy Giles, III, and  Concordia Parish Sheriff David Hedrick, held a press conference today to announce that 13 individuals have been arrested on federal charges following an investigation into drug trafficking activities in the Concordia and Rapides Parish area.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI and local law enforcement officers with the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office. The indictment alleges that these 13 individuals conspired together to distribute and possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. The defendants named in the indictment and their charges are as follows:

Henry M. Jefferson, Sr.

Age 47

Katy, Texas

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count
• Jefferson, Sr., who has a prior federal drug trafficking conviction, is also charged with a sentencing enhancement based on his criminal history

Henry M. Jefferson, Jr.

Age 30

Katy, Texas

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count
• Distribution of methamphetamine – one count

Michael Thompson

Age 26

Ferriday, LA

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count

Tommy L. Piercefield

Age 45

Ferriday, LA

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count

Tony L. Bethley

Age 28

Ferriday, LA

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count

Terrell Harbor

Age 43

Ferriday, LA

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count

Zamarion Rosenthal

Age 30

Ferriday, LA

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count

Ramon Martin

Age 30

Ferriday, LA

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count

Donteale Carter

Age 27

Ferriday, LA

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count
• Carter, who has a prior state manslaughter conviction, is also charged with a sentencing enhancement based on his criminal history

Selena Walker

Age 48

Vidalia, LA

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count

Gerald White

Age 50

Ridgecrest, LA

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count

Bradley Welch

Age 38

Ridgecrest, LA

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count

Jamari Randall

Age 25

Vidalia, LA

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine – one count

These defendants have all been arrested and will be arraigned in federal court, with the exception of Zamarion Demon Rosenthal who remains a fugitive. If you know the whereabouts of Rosenthal, notify the FBI, Louisiana State Police, or Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office. 

“Our local communities suffer greatly when the trafficking of drugs takes place there, wreaking havoc on individuals who live and work in those communities,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “It is our duty as law enforcement agencies to work diligently together to try and put a stop to these drugs entering our communities.  The indictment of these 13 individuals is the result of a long-term investigation that could not have happened without the cooperation and support of local, state and federal law enforcement. This is an ongoing investigation, and we are committed to continuing our joint efforts to keep these drugs off of our streets.”

“In this case, thirteen is a very lucky number for the communities impacted by the individuals named in this indictment," said Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. "The FBI will continue to work with its strong partners in Concordia Parish and the U.S. Attorney's Office to drive those who deal in illicit drugs and their associated violence out of our neighborhoods.”

“We will continue to work diligently to remove those dealing drugs from our parish. Their actions negatively impact our youth, our families and our communities and we will not look the other way and allow this activity to occur,” said Concordia Parish Sheriff David Hedrick. “I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, Louisiana State Police, and the CPSO Narcotics Unit for their relentless efforts during this two-year endeavor.”

If convicted, Henry M. Jefferson, Sr. and Donteale Carter each face a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. The remaining 11 defendants each face a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, if convicted. 

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

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

# # #

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two Lake Charles men have been sentenced for illegally possessing firearms and drugs, including fentanyl.  United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the defendants as follows:

Johnathan C. Norwood, 42, was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  In early 2023, law enforcement agents investigated the suspected involvement of Norwood with drug distribution in the Calcasieu Parish area. On April 3, 2023, a traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle being driven by Norwood in order to arrest him pursuant to an active arrest warrant. During the traffic stop, agents searched Norwood’s vehicle and found approximately 29.21 grams of cocaine and over $3,000 in cash inside. A subsequent search warrant was obtained for his residence and upon execution, law enforcement officers found and seized four firearms and ammunition, approximately 6,535.3 grams of cocaine, 128,923.95 grams of marijuana, over 50 pill tablets containing hydrocodone, and over $80,000 in cash. Through their further investigation, agents learned that two of the seized firearms had been reported as stolen from their lawful owners. 

This case was investigated by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in Calcasieu Parish and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Danny Siefker.

The second defendant, Cohaynee D. Jones, 28, was sentenced to 72 months (6 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.  On April 20, 2022, agents with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in Calcasieu Parish had four arrest warrants for Jones which were all active. Agents executed the warrants at his residence on 10th Street in Lake Charles and found Jones asleep on the couch with a rifle on the headrest where he was laying. Jones was taken into custody and a search of his residence was executed. Officers found two additional firearms on the couch where Norwood was laying, with one having been reported as stolen.  Jones has a previous felony conviction for aggravated battery from 2020 and was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.  In addition, officers conducted a search of a rental vehicle in Jones’ driveway which officers had observed him driving. Inside the vehicle was a backpack containing several Ziploc bags with a substance that appeared to be narcotics, along with mail addressed to Jones. The substance was seized and sent to the crime lab for testing and confirmed to weigh approximately 57 grams and contained a detectable amount of fentanyl. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. – A federal grand jury in Lafayette, Louisiana, has returned an indictment charging Luis Enrique Padilla a/k/a Louis Padilla, Chief of Police of the Sunset Police Department, with a federal civil rights violation for willfully using unreasonable force against an individual.

The indictment alleges that on or about December 1, 2023, Padilla, acting in his official capacity as Chief of Police, used unreasonable force against an individual during an investigation and detention. The indictment further alleges that without legal justification, the individual was restrained in handcuffs, and Padilla forcefully twisted the individual’s thumb and wrist in a manner intended to cause pain, which resulted in bodily injury to the individual. 

Padilla has been arrested and is scheduled to make his initial appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst at 3:30 p.m.

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

If convicted, Padilla faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a Shreveport man has pleaded guilty to a charge of trafficking in firearms. Dwayne Ronquillo, 52, appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby and entered his guilty plea. 

According to information presented in court, Ronquillo is a Federal Firearms License holder. In April 2024, Ronquillo maintained a booth at the flea market in Greenwood, Louisiana, where he displayed and sold firearms. On April 20, 2024, an individual went to the flea market where he met Ronquillo and discussed purchasing a firearm. The individual informed Ronquillo that he had previously taken a plea deal and had a felony on his record which had prevented him from buying a firearm at a pawn shop. Ronquillo then sold the individual a Ruger Security-9, 9x19mm pistol for $500 in cash. In addition, Ronquillo sold the individual approximately 150 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

After this firearm purchase, the individual continued to communicate with Ronquillo via text messaging to try and obtain an AR-style pistol. The individual texted Ronquillo on April 22, 2024, and advised him again that he had a felony on his record preventing him from purchasing firearms. On April 25, 2024, the individual met with Ronquillo in the parking lot of a Shreveport business and purchased a DPMS A-15, 7.62 multi caliber pistol for $1,000 in cash.

On May 29, 2024, following these two firearms purchases, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) executed a federal search warrant at Ronquillo’s residence and registered premises for his Federal Firearms License. In total, agents seized 75 firearms, various calibers of ammunition, and assorted magazines. Ronquillo admitted at the hearing today that he knew the use, carrying, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon was a felony and pleaded guilty to the charge of trafficking in firearms.

“This defendant shamelessly and recklessly put firearms and ammunition in the hands of people he knew to be prohibited, thwarting the efforts of law enforcement to keep firearms out of the possession of those who legally cannot possess them.  For this conduct and in the spirit of public safety, we look forward to this individual receiving a just sentence of imprisonment in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.” 

Ronquillo faces a sentence of not more than 15 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  His sentencing has been set for April 10, 2025.  

The case was investigated by the ATF and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth D. Reeg.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announces the sentencing of 24 defendants in a case involving a scheme by these defendants to defraud the United States by fraudulently applying for and receiving relief through the Payment Protection Program (“PPP”) provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act.  

In March 2020 Congress enacted the CARES Act which was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the CARES Act, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provided Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which were low-interest financing to small businesses, renters and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. The CARES Act also provided authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).

On July 18, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the indictment of 24 defendants who were all members or associates of a Shreveport street gang that refer to themselves as Step or Die or SOD. As of today, all 24 defendants have been sentenced.

This case began when law enforcement agents learned that these individuals were conducting fraudulent activity causing 31 loans to be funded worth more than $600,000 and applied for an additional 41 other loans seeking over $2,200,000. These defendants purported to own businesses providing various services including, freight, trucking, towing, painting, lawn care, t-shirt printing, day care, temporary employment placement, cosmetology, beauty supplies, catering, car washing, and retail clothing, along with pig and cattle farms. In reality, these individuals either did not have such businesses or grossly overstated the amount of revenue earned so that they would qualify for PPP or EIDL loans. 

“We stood before you at a press conference 16 months ago announcing these charges and vowing to hold these 24 individuals accountable for defrauding and attempting to defraud the government out of over $2,000,000,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “All of these defendants, some directly and indirectly, are linked to gang activity, acts of violent crime such as murder, attempted murder, and violations of state and federal firearm law. Although the federal government generally has no jurisdiction over murder and attempted murder charges, such as drive-by shootings, we vow to use any statute that exists in the federal criminal code to eradicate violent crime.  This combination of sentences is a result of varying levels of culpability in this scheme and prior criminal histories, if any, of those convicted.  Investigations such as these meet 2 priorities of the Department: (1) prosecuting those who steal from the government, and (2) holding those accountable responsible for acts of violence in our community.”

The names and sentences of the defendants are as follows:

Sirdell L. McCullough

Age 26, Shreveport

• 30 months in prison
• $20,382 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Roderguiz Henry

Age 27, Shreveport

• 24 months in prison
• $20,260 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Johntrell Crutchfield

Age 24, Shreveport

• 71 months in prison
• $20,832 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Deanthony D. Johnson

Age 24, Shreveport

• 46 months in prison
• $28,575 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

$20,575 / PPP

$8,000 / EIDL

Deaaundrakous Latrea Hagger

Age 25, Shreveport

• 16 months in prison
• $1,500 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

$20,833 / PPP

$20,833 / PPP

Nico J.  Stewart

Age 36, Shreveport

• 5 years of probation

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

$4,000 / EIDL

$1,000 / EIDL

Timothy D.  Vasher

Age 22, Shreveport

• 19 months in prison
• $20,832 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Destane Glass

Age 23, Shreveport

• 37 months in prison
• $104,160 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Xavien R. Beasley

Age 24, Bossier City

• 15 months in prison
• $30,050 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Quinterrius D. Brown

Age 23, Shreveport

• 24 months in prison

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

$30,800/ EIDL

Not funded

Toronco Rashard Loston

Age 26, Shreveport

• 24 months in prison

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

$20,832 / PPP

Not funded

$201,100 / EIDL

Not funded

Dewonnie Brown

Age 55, Shreveport

• 5 years of probation
• $60,498 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

$20,832 / PPP

$20,800 / PPP

$20,833 / PPP

$20,833 / PPP

Joshua Dominique

Age 25, Shreveport

• 16 months in prison
• $20,832 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Kardarius Jenkins

Age 23, Shreveport

• 15 months in prison
• $20,832 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

Jasmine Glass

Age 23, Shreveport

• 15 months in prison
• $29,165 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Tramaine Taylor

Age 28, Shreveport

• 5 years of probation
• $20,832 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Antoria Johnson

Age 26, Shreveport

• 5 years of probation
• $40,916 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

$20,458 / PPP

$20,458 / PPP

Joketa Baulkman

Age 41, Shreveport

• 5 years of probation
• $38,010 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

$19,005 / PPP

$19,005 / PPP

Tyneal Johnson

Age 37, Coushatta

• 5 years of probation
• $41,633 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

$20,833 / PPP

$20,800 / PPP

Cierra Fleming

Age 23, Shreveport

• 5 years of probation
• $20,207 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

Tramarciea Ruffins

Age 31, Shreveport

• 33 months in prison
• $20,415 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Olivia Thomas

Age 28, Shreveport

• 3 years of probation
• $62,496 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Samarrian Kingston

Age 26, Shreveport

• 24 months in prison
• $101,360 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

Lakeah Gipson

Age 28, Bossier City

• 5 years of probation
• $20,058 in restitution

• Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Wire Fraud

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Treasury-Inspector General for Tax Administration, and United States Marshal’s Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal grand jury in Lafayette has returned an indictment charging Brandon Jermaine Francisco, 38, of Mansura, Louisiana, with carjacking resulting in the death of Ella Goodie. 

In addition to the one count of carjacking resulting in death, the indictment charges Francisco with one count of using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of flight to avoid prosecution. 

The indictment alleges that on or about March 9, 2022, Francisco, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm, took a 2012 Audi Q5, 2.0T, Sport Utility Vehicle from the victim, E.G., by force, violence, and intimidation, resulting in the death of the victim. It is also alleged that on or about March 9, 2022, Francisco knowingly used and discharged a SCCY handgun, Model CPX-1, 9mm caliber firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, which in this case is carjacking. 

It is further alleged in the indictment that Francisco possessed the SCCY handgun, Model CPX-1, 9mm caliber with four rounds of ammunition on or about March 25, 2022, knowing he had previously been convicted of a felony crime. 

The indictment also alleges that from on or about March 9, 2022, until on or about March 25, 2022, in the Western District of Louisiana, Francisco traveled in interstate commerce with the intent to avoid prosecution under the laws of the State of Louisiana for a crime punishable by death under the laws of the State of Louisiana. 

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

If convicted, Francisco faces a sentence of up to life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.  An arraignment and initial appearance will be scheduled for Francisco at a later date. 

The case is being investigated by the Louisiana State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Nickel and Casey N. Richmond.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Pharaon L. Jackson, 21, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for illegal possession of a machine gun. Jackson was sentenced to 40 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for the offense.

On June 21, 2023, troopers with the Louisiana State Police stopped a vehicle for speeding in Ouachita Parish. Jackson was a passenger in the vehicle. As the trooper approached the vehicle, he observed objects being thrown from the window where Jackson was sitting in the vehicle. The trooper found and identified the thrown items as being a bag of marijuana and a Glock 17 9mm firearm with a conversion device installed. The conversion device, also known as a Glock switch, altered the firearm so that it was able to fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger, rendering it a machine gun.  Jackson and other occupants of the vehicle were arrested for possessing an automatic weapon and later bonded out of jail.

Through their further investigation, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) found that Jackson posted a photo of himself on social media, just five days prior to the traffic stop, holding two handguns, one of which has a Glock switch and matches the firearm that was seized from him on June 21, 2023.  In addition, in July 2023, officers with the Shreveport Police Department received complaints of 4-5 males riding around in a Dodge Charger wearing ski masks and brandishing assault rifles. Officers were able to locate the vehicle and went to the residence in Shreveport where it was parked. Upon entry to the residence, officers found four males present, including Jackson, and also found three loaded AR-15 style pistols located under a mattress in the same room where Jackson and two of the males were found. All males were taken to the Shreveport Police station for questioning. It was later determined from ballistic exams that two of the firearms that were found in the house had been used in a quadruple homicide which occurred on July 4, 2023, in Shreveport.

Jackson pleaded guilty to the federal charge of illegal possession of a machine gun on July 18, 2024.

“There is a zero tolerance for offenders in this district that possess firearms equipped with Glock switches,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This individual found himself around modified firearms in two parishes.  He is dangerous, a threat to public safety and has received a just sentence.  Let this be a lesson and a deterrent for others considering installing conversion devices on Glock firearms.  Offenders committing such crimes will be prosecuted and we will seek sentences of imprisonment. ” 

The case was investigated by the ATF, Louisiana State Police and Shreveport Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William C. Gaskins. 

# # #

MONROE, La. – An Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) case in Monroe has resulted in the convictions and sentencings of six defendants to nearly 100 years (1,200 months) in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the six defendants as follows:

Laneython T. Ignont, 29, of Monroe, was sentenced to 360 months (30 years) in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms during a drug trafficking offense.

Jamichael D. Ignont, 29, of Monroe, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.

Donterrian M. Lavender, 31, was sentenced to 210 months (17 ½ years) in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Jamarcus G. Jackson, 31, was sentenced to 180 months (15 years) in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Shawn M. Stansbury, 51, was sentenced to 100 months (8 years, 4 months) in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. 

Beginning in 2021, narcotics agents learned that Laneython Ignont, a.k.a. “Bandz,” was leading a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing kilogram quantities of methamphetamine in the Monroe area. In 2022, agents were granted wiretaps to intercept and record phone calls and text messages made to and from Laneython Ignont’s cell phone. These wiretapped conversations showed Laneython Ignont and his co-defendants discussing and coordinating drug transactions. For example, using this wiretap information, on December 7, 2022, agents stopped Laneython Ignont and Donterrian Lavender as they were attempting to fly from the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (“DFW”) to Los Angeles International Airport to buy drugs. Agents seized from inside one of their suitcases more than $53,000 cash. 

On December 13, 2022, and February 28, 2023, agents executed search warrants on multiple Monroe area homes associated with the co-defendants in this case. In total, agents seized approximately 25 pounds of pure methamphetamine, 7 pounds of heroin, and 9 guns from these homes. In particular, agents seized from Laneython Ignont’s home, where he was arrested, approximately 20 pounds of pure methamphetamine, approximately 5 pounds of heroin, 2 semiautomatic handguns, and 2 cars used to traffic drugs. In a separate home, agents located Laneython Ignont’s hidden safe which contained more than $10,000 cash and approximately $262,000 worth of jewelry, including gold and silver necklaces with diamond pendants in the shape of “Hella Bandz” and “HB.” 

Another defendant, Joshua Bosley, 36, of Monroe, was indicted separately but also in connection with this OCDETF investigation. He was charged and pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 110 months (9 years, 2 months) in prison. 

“The boldness displayed by these defendants in their determination to distribute dangerous narcotics such as heroin and methamphetamine in the southern Monroe area was astounding,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “They were brazen enough to attempt to smuggle these drugs through their luggage at the airports in Los Angeles and Dallas but were not successful. The result of this OCDETF investigation is the product of cooperation between many law enforcement agencies, both in Monroe and Dallas. These convictions should send a message to other drug traffickers that this office and the law enforcement agents in the Western District of Louisiana will exude great patience in the pursuit of justice and keeping our communities safe.” 

This case was investigated by members of the DEA, FBI, ATF, HSI, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, Monroe Police Department, Louisiana State Police, and the DFW Airport Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Shannon.

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

# # #

MONROE, La. – A federal jury in the Monroe Division of the Western District of Louisiana has returned a guilty verdict against Derrick Long a/k/a “Deelong,” 44, of Monroe, for drug trafficking, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty presided over the two-day trial. 

Long was charged in an indictment in August 2024, along with six other co-defendants, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine. According to evidence presented at trial, Long conspired with James Ard, Trentin Demond Parks, and Brandon Wright from January 2023 and continuing through July 2023 to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in the Monroe area. 

Law enforcement agents began an investigation into the suspected drug trafficking activities of these men and conducted a number of narcotics buys from Long and Ard. Evidence at trial showed that Ard directed their source to call Long wherein they discussed the sale and purchase of methamphetamine. Agents obtained approval to conduct wiretap surveillance of Ard’s cellular phone and were able to intercept phone calls between Long and his co-defendants discussing large amounts of pills that they needed to obtain to sell, the distribution and transportation from Texas to Monroe to obtain the narcotics, and how much it would cost to get them and what profit they would make. Long was present with Ard and other co-defendants during drug transactions that took place at Ard’s residence. Through their investigation, agents were able to arrest the defendants for their involvement in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

Long faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  All of the other defendants in this case have pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced in January and February 2025.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Monroe Police Department and Metro Narcotics Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Samuel Crichton.

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MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of a man from Virginia for attempted production of child pornography. Ross Brandon, 40, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 180 months (15 years) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.  

On June 12, 2023, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) working in an undercover capacity, was posing as a 13-year old female and began communicating with a user via the social platform, Whisper. The user identified himself as Mountain Man and was later identified by law enforcement agents as Ross Brandon. During their communications, the undercover agent identified themselves to Brandon as a 13-year old female named “Sara a.k.a. Princess,” living in Louisiana. Brandon identified himself and gave his age and where he resided at the time and told “Sara” that he lived in Virginia. Brandon sent non-sexually explicit photos of himself to “Sara” and law enforcement agents were able to establish his identity and location.

After some time of communicating through the Whisper app, Brandon and “Sara” exchanged telephone numbers and began text messaging on cell phones. While communicating with “Sara,” Brandon requested that she engage in self-masturbation and would engage in sexually explicit conversations with her. Brandon sent sexually explicit images of himself to “Sara” on two occasions in June and July of 2023. On two occasions in July of 2023, Brandon requested that “Sara” send sexually explicit images of herself to him. 

Brandon was later arrested and admitted to law enforcement agents that he knew “Sara” was under the age of 18 and that he had requested child pornography images from her. He was charged in the Western District of Louisiana with attempted production of child pornography and pleaded guilty July 29, 2024. 

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William C. Gaskins.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Matthew Matherne, 46, of Broussard, Louisiana, was sentenced today in federal court for production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Robert L. Summerhays sentenced Matherne to 210 months (17 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.  

According to information presented in court, in late November of 2023, Matherne met a 15 year old minor female from another state online and began communicating with her. In December of 2023, Matherne traveled from the Lafayette area to the state where the minor female resided and picked her up and drove her back to his residence in the Lafayette area. While there, Matherne began having sex with the minor female. He also took images of the child engaging in sexual activity with him, as well as numerous images of the child in which she was naked or partially naked. After the minor female had been in Matherne’s home for several weeks, she contacted her mother and told her where she was. The mother then contacted the Lafayette Police Department. The victim was found and cooperated with law enforcement. 

Officers with the Lafayette Police Department obtained a search warrant on Matherne’s residence. Upon execution of the search warrant, officers found and seized Matherne’s cell phone which contained the images of the minor female. An indictment was returned charging Matherne and he pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography on May 30, 2024, and admitted that he did in fact use his cell phone to produce the sexually explicit images of the minor female. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Lafayette Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Luke Walker.  

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.

# # #

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Nocalm Robinson, 32, of Monroe, Louisiana, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for illegally possessing firearms.

United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Robinson in this case in which he was charged in an indictment in March 2024 with being a felon in possession of firearms. The charge was the result of an investigation into a burglary that took place on December 4, 2023, in East Whelen, Arkansas. The burglars stole a safe that contained a “bait gun” equipped with a tracker that could be used to track the gun. Deputies with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas were able to track the gun to a residence in Monroe.

Law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for the residence and learned that Robinson lived there with his wife and children. A search of the residence revealed that Robinson had four guns inside, including the Intratec 22 firearm that was equipped with a tracker. In addition, officers found a stolen Ruger 10/22, a stolen Century Arms 7.62x39 firearm, and a loaded Taurus G3 pistol inside the residence.  Robinson has previous felony convictions for attempted possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in 2016 and attempted aggravated battery in 2013. As a convicted felon, Robinson knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition and pleaded guilty to the charge on July 19, 2024.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Monroe Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert F. Moody.

# # #

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jose Albino Ramos Hernandez, 38, a citizen of Mexico, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and illegal re-entry of removed alien. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. presided over the sentencing hearing.

According to information presented in court, Hernandez illegally re-entered the United States on numerous occasions after being deported and removed. On March 16, 2011, a Notice and Order of Expedited Removal was entered against him by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and on or about March 18, 2011, he was removed via port of entry in Brownsville, Texas and was prohibited from entering the United States for a period of 5 years. However, on November 1, 2012, Hernandez reentered the United States at or near Laredo, Texas. On April 26, 2013, Hernandez was removed from the United States and was prohibited from entering the United States again for a period of 20 years. A review of Hernandez’s history showed that since 2006, he has illegally entered the United States over seven times.

On September 8, 2022, Hernandez was again found to be in the United States illegally.  He was arrested by troopers with the Louisiana State Police in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, as the result of a traffic stop of a vehicle in which he was a passenger. Troopers deployed a K-9 officer to conduct an open-air sniff of the vehicle and the K-9 alerted to the presence of the odor of narcotics emitting from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately one kilogram of cocaine hidden in the rear pocket of the driver’s seat, as well as a Taurus Model PT111 Millennium G2 pistol and a 9mm Polymer 80 Model PF940C pistol inside. Hernandez was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and illegal re-entry of a removed alien and pleaded guilty to the charges on June 22, 2023. 

The case was investigated by U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

# # #

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Albert Royster, Jr., 42, of Lake Charles, was sentenced today on drug possession and firearms charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.  United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Royster to 70 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  

In June 2021, law enforcement agents became aware of Royster’s drug trafficking activities and began an investigation.  On August 5, 2021, detectives with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in Calcasieu Parish obtained and executed a search warrant on Royster’s residence in Lake Charles. When law enforcement arrived at the residence, they found Royster inside and he was detained. During the search, detectives located 215.25 grams of cocaine and 61.03 grams of crack cocaine packaged in various amounts consistent with drug distribution. In a bedroom used by Royster, they located and seized an American Tactical AR-15 style rifle, a Norinco rifle, over 60 rounds of ammunition, and over $3,000 in cash. After further investigation, law enforcement officers learned that the American Tactical AR-15 style rifle had been reported as stolen. The seized narcotics were sent to the crime lab for testing and confirmed to be cocaine and crack cocaine. 

Royster was previously convicted of distribution of cocaine in 2012 and knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. He was indicted in this case and pleaded guilty on July 19, 2024 to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Derrick Dewayne Swafford, 30, of Pineville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 152 months (12 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. 

On July 18, 2021, an officer with the Alexandria Police Department attempted to stop the vehicle Swafford was driving after the officer observed him driving recklessly. When the officer ordered Swafford from the vehicle, he fled from the traffic stop but was ultimately taken into custody. Once officers were able to take Swafford into custody, they smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle and obtained a warrant to search it. Inside the vehicle, officers found a loaded Smith and Wesson 40 caliber pistol, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia. A review of his record revealed that Swafford was a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, including aggravated assault with a firearm in 2019, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2018, possession of controlled substances and obstruction of justice in 2013. 

Swafford was charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He pleaded guilty to the charges on September 28, 2022. 

The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Alexandria Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.

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

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – Three north Louisiana men involved in the trafficking of methamphetamine have been sentenced in federal court, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. This case was an Organized Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation which was conducted in the Sabine Parish area. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced the three defendants as follows:

Royshun Avair Newton, 38, of Bossier City, Louisiana, was sentenced to 188 months (15 years, 8 months) in prison. Stacy Norvell Perry, Jr., 32, of Many, Louisiana, was sentenced to 97 months in prison. Jessie Kenneth Dewayne Holden, 34, of Many, was sentenced to 72 months in prison. Each defendant will serve 5 years of supervised release following their release from prison.

Evidence introduced in court revealed that beginning in March 2020 and continuing through August 2022, law enforcement agents learned through their investigation into illegal drug trafficking activities in the Many, Louisiana area, that Newton, Perry and Holden were selling methamphetamine to individuals in and around that area. On April 26, 2022, through text messages and the audio and video recordings, agents learned that Holden met an individual and drove with them to a store close to Perry’s residence, got out of the car and walked toward the residence. Holden shortly thereafter returned to the individual’s car with methamphetamine to sell to them. 

In addition, on August 16, 2022, law enforcement agents were able to secure information from an individual about the confirmed purchase of methamphetamine from Newton in exchange for cash. Agents learned that Newton was contacted about arranging the sale and the individual went to Newton’s house to make the purchase. When the individual arrived at Newton’s residence, they encountered Perry who was present and sold the methamphetamine. The suspected narcotics from both transactions were sent to the crime lab for analysis and confirmed to be methamphetamine. Newton, Perry, and Holden were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and each pleaded guilty to the charge.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.

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

# # #

SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/MONROE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSA) Jabrina Edwards will lead the efforts of our office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Edwards has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western District of Louisiana, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.  The Department will address these violations wherever they occur.  The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, 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 interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act 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 inability to read or write in English). 

United States Attorney Brown stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Edwards will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. AUSA Edwards can be reached by the public at our Shreveport office at 318-676-3600.”

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.  The local FBI field office 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 in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

United States Attorney Brown said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two men on child pornography charges. 

Jason Matthew Miller, 26, of Eunice, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 210 months (17 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Miller was charged in an indictment and pleaded guilty to attempted production of child pornography. Law enforcement agents began an investigation after receiving information that Miller had communicated with a 13 year old female through Instagram, a social media platform. Through their investigation, it was revealed that in July 2018, Miller had a conversation through Instagram and on his cell phone with the minor female and he told her he was a 15 year old male, when in truth and in fact he was 20 years old at the time. Miller asked the minor female to send him sexually explicit photos of herself and she did so. At the guilty plea hearing on June 26, 2024, Miller admitted to communicating with the minor female and asking for and receiving sexually explicit photos of her. 

In a separate and unrelated case, Michael Rios, 30, of San Antonio, Texas, was sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 120 months (10 years) in prison for attempting to produce child pornography.  Rios will serve 20 years of supervised release after his release from prison. At the guilty plea hearing on July 23, 2024, Rios admitted to communicating with an undercover agent who was posing as a 13 year old female on the chat application “Meet24.”  In December 2022 and continuing through the spring of 2023, Rios chatted with who he believed to be a 13 year old female living in Lafayette, Louisiana. During the online conversation with the purported minor female, Rios asked her to send sexually explicit pictures and videos of herself to him and he sent sexually explicit images of himself to her. In addition, he discussed the possibility of traveling to Louisiana on numerous occasions so he and the minor female could meet at a hotel and engage in sex. Rios was subsequently arrested and charged with the offense of attempted production of child pornography.

These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Luke Walker.

# # #

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Sarah Rose Cea, 34, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, has been sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 180 months (15 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking charges. 

On June 8, 2023, Cea was stopped while traveling on Interstate 10 near Lafayette, Louisiana by troopers with the Louisiana State Police. Cea was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop.  A Louisiana State Police K-9 conducted an open air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics in Cea’s vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and law enforcement agents located approximately 20 kilograms of methamphetamine in the trunk of her vehicle. The seized substance was sent to the criminalistics laboratory for testing, and it was confirmed to be approximately 19,943 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride with a substance purity of 100%. 

At the guilty plea hearing on July 31, 2024, Cea admitted to possessing the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to another individual. 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John W. Nickel.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – Brian T. Owen, 52, of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, pleaded guilty yesterday to money laundering, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. presided over the hearing.  

A Bill of Information was filed September 30, 2024, charging Owen with one count of money laundering. This charge was the result of an investigation conducted by state and federal law enforcement agencies into the unlawful activities of Owen, who was the president of an oilfield consulting service business headquartered in Bossier City. On June 22, 2020, the company filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana. 

In January 2021, as part of the company’s bankruptcy plan of reorganization, a Distribution Trust was established to pay back creditors, and Owen executed a Distribution Trust Agreement in his role as president of the company. According to this plan, if Owen received any additional compensation from the company, he was required to pay 30% of that directly to the Distribution Trust. 

In 2021, the company began applying for Employee Retention Credits (“ERCs”), which are a refundable tax credit for certain eligible businesses and tax-exempt organizations that had employees and were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Owen then devised a scheme to defraud the Distribution Trust by intercepting the physical U.S. Department of Treasury Checks before they were deposited into the company’s working accounts. Unbeknownst to other senior leadership at the company, Owen had opened a bank account in the name of the company while it was still in bankruptcy. As part of the scheme, he deposited a total of $3.8 million in ERC funds for himself as additional compensation. Owen did not pay the Distribution Trust the 30% as he had agreed, but instead used the money for his own personal expenses, including to pay off gambling debts. In total, he defrauded the Distribution Trust out of $1,157,154.39.           

Owen faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth D. Reeg.

# # #

SHREVEPORT, La. – A former Louisiana sheriff’s office deputy was sentenced yesterday to 37 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for assaulting a pretrial detainee. 

Javarrea Pouncy, 31, a former sergeant with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO), previously pleaded guilty to one count of using excessive force against the detainee. During his plea, Pouncy admitted that in September 2019, he and another DPSO deputy conducted a strip search of a detainee in the DeSoto Parish jail, as part of the detainee’s booking. Pouncy admitted further that during the search, the deputies repeatedly punched the detainee in his head, face and body, even though the detainee did not pose a threat to either officer. As a result of the assault, the detainee was hospitalized and sustained a broken eye socket and broken nose, among other injuries.

“The defendant pledged to protect and serve his community, but instead, he repeatedly punched a detainee without justification, leaving him bloodied and broken,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “People in detention have the right to be treated humanely and not to be brutalized by excessive force. This sentence sends a clear message that we will not tolerate such abuses behind bars. The Justice Department will hold accountable officials who violate detainees’ civil rights.”

“Pouncy took advantage of his position, the power that it yields and the prestige of the badge in committing this criminal act,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “Decency and order can co-exist with the preservation of an offender’s civil rights. Prosecutions such as these are critical to ensure that the good work of law enforcement officers is not hampered by the heinous acts of bad law enforcement officers.”

“Yesterday, Pouncy faced the consequences of his unnecessary and violent actions toward someone he was supposed to protect,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “It’s a sad day when we have to investigate someone who took an oath to uphold the law. His actions undermine the integrity of the criminal justice system, and I want the public to know we will not tolerate it. The FBI is committed to investigating criminal misconduct, no matter who the subject is or what position they hold in their community.”

The other deputy involved in the assault, DeMarkes Grant, previously pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing justice in connection with the assault. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

The FBI New Orleans Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Reeg for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Erin Monju of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.

# # #

A former Louisiana sheriff’s office deputy was sentenced yesterday to 37 months in prison for assaulting a pretrial detainee.

Javarrea Pouncy, 31, a former sergeant with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO), previously pleaded guilty to one count of using excessive force against the detainee. During his plea, Pouncy admitted that, in September 2019, he and another DPSO deputy conducted a strip search of a detainee in the DeSoto Parish jail, as part of the detainee’s booking. Pouncy admitted further that, during the search, the deputies repeatedly punched the detainee in his head, face and body, even though the detainee did not pose a threat to either officer. As a result of the assault, the detainee was hospitalized and sustained a broken eye socket and broken nose, among other injuries.

“The defendant pledged to protect and serve his community, but instead, he repeatedly punched a detainee without justification, leaving him bloodied and broken,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “People in detention have the right to be treated humanely and not to be brutalized by excessive force. This sentence sends a clear message that we will not tolerate such abuses behind bars. The Justice Department will hold accountable officials who violate detainees’ civil rights.”

“Pouncy took advantage of his position, the power that it yields and the prestige of the badge in committing this criminal act,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “Decency and order can co-exist with the preservation of an offender’s civil rights. Prosecutions such as these are critical to ensure that the good work of law enforcement officers is not hampered by the heinous acts of bad law enforcement officers.”

“Yesterday, Pouncy faced the consequences of his unnecessary and violent actions toward someone he was supposed to protect,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “It’s a sad day when we have to investigate someone who took an oath to uphold the law. His actions undermine the integrity of the criminal justice system, and I want the public to know we will not tolerate it. The FBI is committed to investigating criminal misconduct, no matter who the subject is or what position they hold in their community.”

The other deputy involved in the assault, DeMarkes Grant, previously pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing justice in connection with the assault. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

The FBI New Orleans Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Reeg for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Erin Monju of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Martino Antwion Hill, 42, of Ringgold, Louisiana, was sentenced today for illegal possession of narcotics and a firearm and ammunition.  United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Hill to 156 months (13 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. 

On February 25, 2022, deputies with the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office observed Hill and another individual standing outside of a vehicle which they believed had been driven by Hill. Deputies were aware that Hill had several active felony warrants and approached the vehicle. As law enforcement officers approached, Hill began to walk away from the vehicle and refused to follow the commands of officers to stop as they approached. Hill resisted arrest and the officers took him into custody. They searched his person and discovered over $5,000 in cash and approximately 11.32 grams of crack cocaine. A search of his vehicle was conducted, and officers discovered a Ruger model 5.7, caliber 5.728 firearm and ammunition on the rear seat of the vehicle.

Hill has previous felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance on two occasions and possession of a firearm by a felon. He admitted that he was a convicted felon at the time of this offense and knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert F. Moody.

# # #

LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that  Trevione James Terry, 26, of Houston, the last remaining defendant convicted in jewelry store robbery case in Lake Charles, has been sentenced. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Terry to 241 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Terry admitted to his involvement in the robbery of Nederland Jewelers in Lake Charles on June 8, 2020, as well as Korman Fine Jewelry in Austin, Texas on May 7, 2020.  Terry pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information on July 8, 2024, charging him with interference with commerce by robbery, and using, carrying and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to information introduced in court, on May 7, 2020, Terry, along with five other co-conspirators, were involved in an armed robbery of Korman Fine Jewelry in Austin, Texas. On that date, Terry waited near the store in a white Porsche while the five others arrived at the jewelry store and exited the vehicle. The robbers burst into the store wearing masks. One of the robbers brandished a loaded firearm while shouting and ordering the employees and customers to get on the floor. Within a few seconds of bursting into the store, the robbers encountered a security guard. The armed robber pointed his gun at the security guard and shot him. Another customer was struck in the back of the head by the same robber, and he pointed his gun at other employees ordering them to the ground. Meanwhile, two other robbers smashed a Rolex watch display case and grabbed several Rolex watches. The robbers ran out of the store and were later apprehended.  Law enforcement investigators were able to tie Terry to the Korman robbery through phone records and cellular telephone data obtained after the robbery proving that Terry was responsible for setting up the Korman robbery.

On June 8, 2020, Terry and six other coconspirators traveled from Houston to Lake Charles with the intention to commit a robbery of Nederland Jewelers. On that date, co-defendant Phaezon Stewart entered the store armed with a black Springfield XD handgun and ordered the employees to get on the ground. Terry and others entered the store wearing masks and armed with hammers. While Stewart pointed the firearm at the employee victims, the others broke the glass display cases and removed over 34 Rolex watches with an estimated value of over $350,000. Stewart, Terry, and the other coconspirators then exited the store and fled the scene in a white Porsche.

The white Porsche then traveled to the L’Auberge Casino and stopped and met with a Chevrolet Impala being driven by Carey Nimmons, with Johnson Moore as a passenger. Terry exited the Porsche with a backpack containing the stolen Rolex watches and got into the Impala with Nimmons and Moore and began traveling towards a residence in Lake Charles.  Law enforcement agents were able to track the suspects to a specific area on Pryce Street in Lake Charles and began to search the area. Officers located Terry and co-defendant Joshua Evans hiding in a shed with the backpack in their possession which contained 32 of the 34 stolen Rolex watches. Nimmons was found in a nearby carport and Moore was found behind a residence less than 200 feet from where the other defendants were located, and all were subsequently arrested.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lake Charles Police Department, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and Austin Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen. The case in the Western District of Texas was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Devlin.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Raj Vinodchandra Patel, 34, of New Hampshire, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 51 months in prison for his role in an online scheme to defraud the elderly.  On June 20, 2024, Patel pleaded guilty to one count indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  

Sometime in September 2023, an elderly resident in Alexandria, Louisiana, saw a “pop-up” message on their computer screen which directed them to call a computer “helpline.” This alleged computer helpline was merely a contact number being operated by one of Patel’s co-conspirators from India. When the victim called this supposed helpline, they were told that criminal activity had been seen on their computer and then transferred them to an alleged special agent working for the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. who would assist them further. However, the victim was not actually communicating with a federal agent but in truth and in fact, it was another of Patel’s co-conspirators operating from India. This fake federal agent falsely claimed that the victim’s Social Security number had been compromised, and that their monetary assets were at risk and that the only way to fix it would be for the victim to liquidate their bank account, buy gold bullion, and then transfer that gold bullion to another federal agent who would maintain the gold for supposed safe keeping until the “federal investigation” was completed. When in truth and in fact, there was no federal investigation, but this was an online scam to steal money and property from the victim. 

Patel worked as a courier in this wire fraud scheme. On October 7, 2023, he flew from Boston to New Orleans, rented a car, and drove to the victim’s residence to retrieve the gold bullion. The victim had been instructed by Patel’s co-conspirator in India to place the gold bullion into the backseat of Patel’s rental car. Unbeknownst to Patel, however, the victim had contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) about the fraud scheme. The FBI set up a sting operation and video recorded Patel retrieving the package from the victim and driving away.

Troopers with the Louisiana State Police stopped Patel and he was placed under arrest. Following his arrest, Patel admitted to his part in this scheme and that he had flown to other places across the United States for gold pickups from other elderly victims. Patel further admitted that as he was being stopped by law enforcement officers, he deleted the “WhatsApp Business” application from his cell phone in order to conceal his communications with co-conspirators. The intended loss amount attributed to this fraud scheme was approximately $514,000.

“There is a keen federal interest to protect the elderly and prosecute those who take advantage of their vulnerability by using them to commit financial crimes,” said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This is a transnational crime, spanning from India to central Louisiana, that was investigated because the victim trusted his/her instincts and immediately contacted law enforcement. The Department of Justice is ready, willing, and able to seek justice for the elderly, who are the backbone of our country.”

“Victims in Louisiana lost nearly $12 million dollars to schemes just like this one last year and those are the people we know about,” said Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of FBI New Orleans. “The victim in this case did exactly as we ask the public to do. Trust your instincts. Take a break and call law enforcement. These actors are getting bolder and potential victims are putting their lives at risk with these encounters. We ask the public to report any suspicious activity like this to IC3.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Shannon.

To report elder fraud, contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or 1-833-372-8311 and visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center at IC3.gov.  To learn more about the Department of Justice’s elder justice efforts please visit the Elder Justice Initiative page.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. – Tyrone Donnell Porter, 51, of Alexandria, has been sentenced for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Porter to 360 months (30 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

Porter was found guilty of the charge by a jury in Alexandria after a trial in December 2023. Evidence introduced at trial revealed that agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Porter and others during 2021. Law enforcement agents obtained a search warrant for a hotel room which was rented under Porter’s name in Alexandria and where Porter was staying. On September 30, 2021, agents executed the search warrant and found Porter inside the hotel room, along with two other individuals. Inside the room, agents found two bags containing a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue, 2 boxes and 18 loose rounds of ammunition, as well as a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun in a holster loaded with 11 rounds in the magazine.

In addition, agents found a large black plastic bag with a can which had a vacuum sealed bag containing 492 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Agents were later able to obtain video footage of Porter carrying the black plastic bag which had the can of methamphetamine into the hotel just minutes before law enforcement arrived to execute the search warrant. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Nickel and Casey N. Richmond.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Oliver J. Martin, 40, of Carencro, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to 465 months (38 years, 9 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for related firearms crimes. 

Law enforcement agents with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit began an investigation into Martin and his drug trafficking activities in Lafayette Parish in 2019. Agents conducted surveillance of Martin’s residence and on October 5, 2019, executed a search warrant for his residence located on LA Highway 1252 in Carencro.  Inside the residence, agents discovered multiple narcotics, which included approximately 320 grams of heroin, 445 grams of methamphetamine, 970 grams of cocaine, 2,925 grams of marijuana, and ecstasy tablets.  In addition, agents found an SKS rifle with an obliterated serial number, a Ruger LCP handgun with an obliterated serial number, a Beretta 92 pistol, a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver, numerous rounds of ammunition, and over $250,000 in cash, along with a notebook used as a drug ledger, a digital scale and money counter.  Martin was not present at the time that the search warrant was executed.  The suspected narcotics were sent to the crime lab for testing and were confirmed to be scheduled narcotics. 

On October 9, 2019, agents located Martin at a gas station in Carencro and when officers with the Carencro Police Department attempted to approach Martin’s vehicle, he fled the scene and a chase ensued with Martin driving at high rates of speed in excess of 100 miles per hour. During the pursuit, Martin lost control of his vehicle and his vehicle overturned. He was subsequently taken into custody and law enforcement agents found a large amount of narcotics in his possession. At the time of his arrest, Martin had other outstanding warrants for his arrest.  He has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2001. 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Carencro Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Craig R. Bordelon and LaDonte A. Murphy.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Mario Maurice Hall, Jr., 38, of Shreveport, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 74 months (6 years, 2 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for committing wire fraud and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.

Hall was charged in a Bill of Information with wire fraud in connection with his intent to devise a scheme to defraud the government by obtaining money and property from the Small Business Administration (SBA) via a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan.  He was also charged in an Indictment with the firearms offense.  Hall pleaded guilty to both charges.

In March 2020 Congress enacted the CARES Act which was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the CARES Act, the SBA provided Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which were low-interest financing to small businesses, renters and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. The CARES Act also provided authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).

Hall submitted applications for three separate PPP loans and was approved for these loans after providing false information on each of the applications. On February 24, 2021, and May 26, 2021, Hall was approved for two PPP loans, for $19,415 and $20,833, for purported “Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists.” Hall admitted to knowingly submitting fraudulent 1040 and 1099 tax forms, as well as false bank statements in order to qualify for these loans. When in truth and in fact, Hall had no legitimate income to qualify for the loans, nor did he truthfully meet any of the qualifications.

On May 26, 2021, Hall applied for a third PPP loan for purported “Sound Recording Studios” in the amount of $20,832. Hall admitted to again knowingly providing false and fraudulent information on the application related to the business he alleged to have.

In connection with the firearms offense, agents with the Shreveport Police Department and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) intercepted a package that was sent to a residential address in Shreveport on March 9, 2023. The package was opened via a federal search warrant, and it contained approximately five pounds of marijuana. The package was then closed, and a tracker was installed. The agents conducted a controlled delivery to the address on the package and it was retrieved by a male at the residence. After a period of time, another individual drove up to the residence and went inside the residence and retrieved the package and put it in the rear driver side of his vehicle. Agents subsequently observed Hall arrive at the residence and remove the package from the rear driver side of the first vehicle and move it to his own vehicle.

The package tracker indicated the package had been opened and agents approached Hall and his co-conspirator to execute a search warrant. They found both to have UV powder on their hands. Agents also observed Hall gripping a dark colored object in his waist band and he fled into the residence and came back out.  A search of the residence resulted in the discovery of a Glock Model 23 .40 caliber pistol on the couch and over 1.4 kilograms of packaged marijuana. Hall admitted that the gun was his.

“This defendant had no legitimate income or business, but nevertheless decided to fraudulently obtain these funds during a time when America was at arguably one of her most vulnerable states,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “He is also a drug dealer, and the combination of the convicted crimes shows we were willing to utilize any statute necessary to hold those in this community accountable for such illicit activity.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Shreveport Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Aaron Crawford. 

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SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal jury returned a guilty verdict late yesterday evening against Huey P. Scott, Jr., 63, of Many, Louisiana, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The jury acquitted Scott of one count of possession of firearms during a drug trafficking offense and one count of receipt or possession of an unregistered firearm.

Evidence introduced at trial revealed that agents with the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Tactical Narcotics Team conducted controlled buys of methamphetamine from Scott at his residence in Many, Louisiana, on three separate occasions in 2022. Testimony established that Scott was a frequent user and distributor of methamphetamine, and it was proven that he sold the drugs. After law enforcement conducted multiple controlled buys, agents executed a search warrant and arrested Scott at his residence. During the search of Scott’s property, agents found and seized a duffel bag containing a clear plastic bag which had approximately 139.31 grams of methamphetamine. In another bag, agents found what appeared to be smaller baggies containing smaller quantities of methamphetamine.  The seized drugs were tested by the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory and found to be methamphetamine.

Scott faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, a $10,000,000 fine, or both, on the drug charge.  His sentencing has been scheduled for January 30, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mike Shannon and Earl M. Campbell.

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