Western District of Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, along with other civic and community leaders from the Shreveport area held meetings this week to develop strategies together to help one another as the violent crime in the Shreveport area continues.

In October 2021, the City of Shreveport was chosen to participate in the National Public Safety Partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The national PSP initiative that the City of Shreveport is involved in provides an innovative framework to enhance federal support of state and local law enforcement and prosecution authorities to reduce violent crime. The City of Shreveport was chosen to participate after an application was made in an effort to assist these leaders to fight violent crime. The PSP is a three-year program that is designed to promote interagency coordination between law enforcement agencies and to support communities that struggle with levels of violent crime far in excess of the national average and that would benefit from the DOJ’s support in developing their own capacities.

This week’s PSP Strategic Planning meeting was an opportunity for civic and community leaders, along with local and state law enforcement, as well as federal and state prosecutors, to get together in one room and make a list of problems to address and work on strategies to address those problems.  This is one of the steps in the PSP process whereby all of these leaders get together and discuss problems, plans for solutions and strategies to address them and is a cooperative effort of these groups to continue to combat violent crime in the Shreveport area.

“I am excited to take advantage of the law enforcement and non-law enforcement expertise, experience and extensiveness of the DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) through its PSP program,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The application process of Shreveport being designated as a PSP city was a very competitive process and we, along with the District Attorney’s office, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and our federal investigative agencies have been having law enforcement-based meetings with BJA for over a year leading up to this point. Now we’re ready for the next phase as we integrate relevant community partners such as Caddo Parish juvenile services, Shreveport city workforce development, Caddo Parish Schools, and other city/parish government related stakeholders.  It is extremely refreshing to see the cohesion and support among our federal, state, and local partners as we proceed with formulating a violent crime prevention, rehabilitation and intervention approach going forward to supplement our law enforcement strategy.”

“The National Public Safety Partnership has assisted jurisdictions across America meet their most pressing violent crime challenges,” stated BJA’s Director Karhlton F. Moore. “This critical crime reduction program brings together components from across the Department of Justice to support local strategies designed to combat violent crime, strengthen communities, build bonds of trust, and deliver on the promise of public safety. The success of this program in Shreveport lies in the strong partnership between the community, Shreveport Police Department, United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance.”

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith commented: “Our community faces unique challenges with regard to crimes as do other cities across the country. I am very encouraged and embrace the greater possibilities and opportunities brought about by partnerships with our federal, state, local and community stakeholders to work together collaboratively and combine resources to improve the quality of life in Shreveport. We are much stronger together and this strategic planning session has helped all of us to establish agreed upon direction moving forward, along with strategies and action plans to accomplish a specific goal, which is safety in our community. I am eternally grateful to everyone that participated in this two-day strategic planning session for the Shreveport community.”

Caddo Parish Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts stated: “Since receiving the award in 2021, we have worked collaboratively for solutions to improve our violent crime related issues. This opportunity has led us to develop and expand plans with our community stakeholders through prevention and implementation strategies. We are at a pivotal point in our history where we must maximize our strengths and acknowledge our challenges. Our mission is to make our communities safer by reducing our current statistics and providing hope for our future generations.”

Agencies in attendance at this week’s meetings included representatives from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Shreveport Police Department, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux, select Department Heads from the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office, Caddo Parish Juvenile Court, Caddo Parish Commission, Shreveport Fire Department, Shreveport City Marshal, Caddo Parish School Board Security, Louisiana State Police, Ochsner LSU, FBI, ATF, DEA, and U.S. Marshal Service.

Regular monthly meetings will be held with these agencies and civic and community groups to address violent crime strategies from a law enforcement standpoint and a non-law enforcement standpoint. Some of the strategies include rehabilitation efforts and reentry of offenders back into the community.

In addition to leadership from local and federal partners, DOJ dedicates specific individuals to support each PSP site throughout the three-year engagement, to include a retired law enforcement executive, a DOJ Program Office Champion to serve as the point of contact for the site, federal law enforcement partners, and a program advisor. PSP federal law enforcement partners include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).

PSP serves as a Department of Justice Department initiative that enables communities to receive coordinated training and technical assistance and an array of resources from the Department’s programmatic and law enforcement components. In addition to Shreveport, Louisiana, the other sites that were selected included: Antioch, California; Aurora, Colorado; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Gary, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; North Charleston/ Charleston, South Carolina; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; and Richmond, Virginia.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. – Two men convicted of receipt of child pornography appeared in federal court today for sentencing, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Terrence Landry and Steven M. Stinnett as follows:

Terrence Landry, 34, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 210 months (17 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. In May 2020, agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation received a complaint from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possible distribution of child pornography originating in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Further investigation by agents revealed that the subscriber of the IP address associated with the images of child pornography was Landry. Agents obtained a search warrant and subsequently searched the residence of Landry. Numerous computers and electronic equipment belonging to Landry were seized and analyzed by law enforcement. Agents determined that those electronic devices contained over 5,000 still images and more than 400 videos containing child pornography, some of which depicted prepubescent children engaged in sexual activity with adults. Landry admitted to receiving specific images via the internet in May 2016, knowing that they contained child pornography. Landry pleaded guilty to the charge of receipt of child pornography on April 13, 2022.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Louisiana Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

Steven M. Stinnett, 51, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, a former associate professor at McNeese State University, was sentenced to 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. On November 17, 2022, law enforcement officers in Calcasieu Parish executed a search warrant at the residence of Stinnett. Officers seized computers and electronic equipment during the search. Agents with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations conducted a forensic review of Stinnett’s computer and found numerous images and videos containing child sexual abuse material. Stinnett admitted that one of the child pornography images was received via the internet in April 2017 and depicted a prepubescent female in a sexually explicit manner. Stinnett admitted to having 228 still images and 57 videos containing child sexual abuse material in his possession.  Stinnett pleaded guilty to a charge of receipt of child pornography on February 3, 2023.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and McNeese State University Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

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

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two men from Shreveport were sentenced today by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for illegally possessing drugs and firearms.

Eric Lamar Wimbley, 51, was sentenced to 168 months (14 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  On April 13, 2022, officers with the Louisiana Division of Probation and Parole and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a parole search of a vehicle being used by Wimbley. While searching the vehicle, officers found approximately 1.320 grams of cocaine, 107.7 grams of cocaine base, and 125.67 grams of methamphetamine-based tablets, all packaged for distribution. Also inside the vehicle was a bag containing digital scales, razor blades with cocaine residue, packaging material, and a loaded 9mm handgun. Officers also found Wimbley to be in possession of the key fob to the vehicle. He was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm. Wimbley pleaded guilty in December 2022 to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.     

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.

In a separate case, Demetrius Johnson, Jr., 23, was sentenced to 66 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for illegal possession of marijuana and a firearm. On March 14, 2022, officers with the Shreveport Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Johnson. When approaching the vehicle, the officer detected the smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and detained Johnson. A K-9 unit was called and alerted to the front driver’s seat and a search of the vehicle was conducted. During the search, officers located a Century Arms Draco pistol under the passenger seat of his vehicle, as well as a backpack containing approximately 200 grams of marijuana in separate bags, packaging material, and a digital scale. A 9mm Glock magazine was also found in the vehicle. The narcotics were sent to the crime laboratory for testing and was confirmed to be marijuana. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) tested the firearm and it was determined to be a functional firearm which had traveled in interstate commerce. 

The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

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MONROE, La. - Michael Ansezell Tolliver, 57, of Monroe, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty for money laundering in connection with a fraudulent scheme to obtain more than $1.1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program loans. Tolliver was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. In addition, Tolliver was ordered to pay $1,114,724 in restitution.

“The significant sentence handed down today demonstrates that those who steal from COVID-19 relief programs for personal gain will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “We remain committed to rooting out bad actors who took advantage of federal programs meant to help those small businesses truly in need.”

“This defendant stole over $1 million through fraudulent means and used those funds to support his own personal lifestyle, taking from those whose legitimate businesses were suffering from losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Federal programs such as these are set up to help those in need, not to benefit those who do not.  It is a priority for our office to prosecute those who obtain these benefits illegally. We look forward to continued collaboration with the DOJ’s fraud section in aggressively investigating similar crimes related to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In December 2022, Tolliver pled guilty to one count of money laundering. According to court documents, Tolliver submitted nine fraudulent PPP and EIDL Program loan applications on behalf of several purported companies that Tolliver owned, including Tolliver Oil & Gas Corporation of Louisiana, Inc. and Tolliver Petroleum Corporation of Louisiana. Tolliver falsified information in the loan applications and supporting documents, including falsely claiming that some of his businesses had over 100 employees. He also submitted falsified federal tax returns.

“Mr. Tolliver chose greed over compassion by fraudulently obtaining funds from the PPP and EIDL programs established to assist employers severely impacted by the pandemic,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Tolliver’s sentence today should stand as a warning to those who fraudulently received or may have attempted to fraudulently receive funds intended to help businesses during the COVID epidemic.”

“This result reveals the excellence achieved through the combined efforts of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to uncover and forcefully respond to PPP and EIDL fraud,” said Special Counsel Peggy Delinois Hamilton of the SBA. “SBA is strongly committed to identifying and aggressively pursuing instances of fraud perpetrated by those who took advantage of small business emergency relief programs. We applaud the work that our law enforcement partners have done to ensure fraudsters are held accountable.”

In total, Tolliver sought more than $7.6 million in PPP and EIDL Program loans and obtained more than $1.1 million. Tolliver then laundered and misused the loan proceeds, including by transferring the funds to personal bank accounts and purchasing luxury goods. Authorities seized approximately $128,500 from bank accounts, as well as a 2020 Cadillac CT5 sedan, a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 truck, two Tissot watches, two Tag Heuer watches, and three Honda all-terrain vehicles.

The case was investigated by the IRS-CI and SBA and prosecuted by Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana.

The Fraud Section leads the department’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the PPP began, Fraud Section attorneys have prosecuted more than 100 defendants in more than 70 criminal cases. The Fraud Section has also seized more than $65 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866‑720‑5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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A Louisiana man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for money laundering in connection with a fraudulent scheme to obtain more than $1.1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program loans.

“The significant sentence handed down today demonstrates that those who steal from COVID-19 relief programs for personal gain will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “We remain committed to rooting out bad actors who took advantage of federal programs meant to help those small businesses truly in need.”

“This defendant stole over $1 million through fraudulent means and used those funds to support his own personal lifestyle, taking from those whose legitimate businesses were suffering from losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “Federal programs such as these are set up to help those in need, not to benefit fraudsters. It is a priority for our office to prosecute those who obtain these benefits illegally. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section in aggressively investigating similar crimes related to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to court documents, Michael Ansezell Tolliver, 57, of Monroe, submitted nine fraudulent PPP and EIDL Program loan applications on behalf of several purported companies that Tolliver owned, including Tolliver Oil & Gas Corporation of Louisiana Inc. and Tolliver Petroleum Corporation of Louisiana. Tolliver falsified information in the loan applications and supporting documents, including falsely claiming that some of his businesses had over 100 employees. He also submitted falsified federal tax returns.

“Mr. Tolliver chose greed over compassion by fraudulently obtaining funds from the PPP and EIDL programs established to assist employers severely impacted by the pandemic,” said Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Atlanta Field Office. “Tolliver’s sentence today should stand as a warning to those who fraudulently received or may have attempted to fraudulently receive funds intended to help businesses during the COVID epidemic.”

“This result reveals the excellence achieved through the combined efforts of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to uncover and forcefully respond to PPP and EIDL fraud,” said Special Counsel Peggy Delinois Hamilton of the SBA. “SBA is strongly committed to identifying and aggressively pursuing instances of fraud perpetrated by those who took advantage of small business emergency relief programs. We applaud the work that our law enforcement partners have done to ensure fraudsters are held accountable.”

In total, Tolliver sought more than $7.6 million in PPP and EIDL Program loans and obtained more than $1.1 million. Tolliver then laundered and misused the loan proceeds, including by transferring the funds to personal bank accounts and purchasing luxury goods. Authorities seized approximately $128,500 from bank accounts, as well as a 2020 Cadillac CT5 sedan, a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 truck, two Tissot watches, two Tag Heuer watches, and three Honda all-terrain vehicles.

The IRS-CI and SBA investigated the case.

Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg for the Western District of Louisiana prosecuted the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 200 defendants in more than 130 criminal cases and has seized over $78 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866‑720‑5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jacob Conrad De La Paz is in federal custody pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by United States Magistrate Judge David J. Ayo on a federal criminal complaint for attempted production of child pornography. An initial appearance will be held in the John M. Shaw United States Courthouse on May 1, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.  He has been held without bond.

Following the initial appearance, a detention hearing will be held later in the week and the government will argue that De La Paz be held without bond pending a formal charging decision and possible presentment of the case to a federal grand jury. Pursuant to federal law, this must take place within 30 days of the arrest date and the government will continue its investigation, while evaluating all evidence.

A criminal complaint 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 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact HSI at 337-262-6619.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. - Joseph Randall Boswell, Sr., 53, of Elizabeth, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday for committing bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Boswell to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Judge Cain ordered that a hearing be held on June 27, 2023, to determine restitution.

Boswell was convicted of these crimes by a federal jury in Lake Charles on September 19, 2022. Evidence presented at the trial established that Boswell knowingly and fraudulently concealed property from the United States Bankruptcy Trustee and his creditors through his Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case which he filed in September 2011. Specifically, Boswell concealed monies earned from nominee business and service contracts that could have been paid to his creditors. He attempted to defraud the government by withholding information from the Bankruptcy Court regarding the amount of income he was actually making and property he had an interest in. The defendant was self-employed and withheld information from the court as to companies that he had control of through other family members. These companies were established in the names of other family members in an attempt to hide the fact that Boswell was controlling and manipulating the business activities for these companies and earning income through contracts negotiated by him.

Boswell was also convicted of attempting to evade and defeat payment of income taxes due and owing by him for the tax years 2001 through 2009. He concealed assets from the Internal Revenue Service by putting them in the names of other family members in order to avoid paying income taxes owed by him of over $597,000. 

“This defendant spent years of his life finding ways to avoid paying taxes and creditors that he borrowed money from through his web of lies and deception,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The agents and attorneys handling this case worked countless hours to untangle that web of lies that he wove, and I commend them for their tireless work in bringing him to justice. The bankruptcy and tax laws which have been established in this nation must be obeyed and we will continue to hold those who choose not to do that accountable.”

“Bankruptcy laws are in place to provide debtors a fresh start when they are honestly unable to pay their debts and obligations,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Boswell used these laws to avoid paying his creditors and taxes although he had the resources. His sentence today should be a warning to those seeking to fraudulently use bankruptcy laws to avoid paying their creditors.”

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the United States Trustee’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cytheria D. Jernigan and Earl M. Campbell.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Lafayette Physical Rehabilitation Hospital and its management company, Acadiana Management Group, LLC have agreed to pay $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 medically unnecessary inpatient rehabilitation services. 

“This settlement demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that those who participate in federal healthcare programs follow the rules,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown.  “Billing for non-covered rehabilitation hospital stays results in a misuse of federal dollars.  The financial viability of our Medicare program must be protected for current and future generations.”

The United States alleged that from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2016, Dr. Smith admitted certain patients to Lafayette Physical Rehabilitation Hospital for whom inpatient rehabilitation treatment was not medically reasonable or necessary.  Dr. Smith repeatedly admitted these patients, often by putting improper pressure on the patients, and falsely certified that the patients met the applicable criteria for inpatient admission.  However,  the patients did not satisfy the criteria and did not need impatient rehabilitation services. 

“The Department Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) will continue to aggressively investigate health care providers who submit Medicare claims for medically unnecessary services,” said HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Jason Meadows. “Inpatient rehabilitation services are expensive, and Medicare dollars should be reserved for patients who need those services - not hospitals and physicians seeking to make easy money through improper billing.”

This civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistle blower provisions of the False Claims Act.  Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery.  The whistleblowers, Tamara Boyd and Nancy Morrill, former employees of LPRH, will receive over 20% of the settlement amount. 

The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana and HHS-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Theriot and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Edwards handled the litigation, along with HHS-OIG Special Agent Rita Bergeron. Special Agent Bergeron and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen King handled the investigation.

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

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ALEXANDRIA, La. – Louis Vernon Jackson, 38, of Natchitoches, Louisiana, was convicted by a federal jury late yesterday, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty presided over the four-day trial in Alexandria. Jackson was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, felon in possession of firearms, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The jury acquitted Jackson of one count of possession with intent to distribute tramadol and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to evidence presented during trial, Vernon was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy with seven other co-defendants between December 1, 2019, through at least May 13, 2020. Agents began an investigation into these illegal drug trafficking activities of Jackson and his co-defendants. On April 16, 2020, while conducting surveillance, agents observed Jackson meet an individual at a Natchitoches motel and suspected them of selling drugs from this location. Jackson and the individual left in his vehicle and were subsequently stopped by law enforcement. Agents found keys to a room at the motel on Jackson’s person. Further investigation led to a search warrant being issued for the motel room and agents found a Marlin rifle, a loaded SCCY 9mm pistol, loaded extended magazines and ammunition inside the motel room. As a convicted felon, Jackson was prohibited from having any firearm or ammunition in his possession.

After his release on bond from the Natchitoches incident, on May 13, 2020, agents conducted surveillance of a hotel in the Alexandria area and observed Jackson at the hotel. Agents executed a search warrant of Jackson’s hotel room and found a large amount of methamphetamine and a digital scale, as well as over $11,000 in cash.

The remaining seven co-defendants have each pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in subsequent proceedings.

“This was the culmination of an investigation that spanned multiple federal districts from Louisiana to Mississippi, and we are grateful for this joint investigation and the jury’s work in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This defendant has a history of selling illegal narcotics which will result in a sentencing enhancement. We look forward to the anticipated sentencing hearing where each of the defendants in this case will be held  accountable for their actions. We will not tolerate the distribution of methamphetamine and illegal firearm possession in the Western District of Louisiana.”

Jackson faces a minimum sentence of 15 years up to life in prison on each of the drug charges due to a sentencing enhancement based on his past criminal history. He also faces up to 10 years in prison on the firearms charge, a total of up to 15 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $20,000,000. 

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cytheria D. Jernigan and Brian C. Flanagan.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown joins with the Department of Justice in announcing criminal charges against 18 defendants in 9 federal districts across the United States for their alleged participation in various fraud schemes involving health care services that exploited the COVID-19 pandemic and allegedly resulted in over $490 million in COVID-19 related false billings to federal programs and theft from federally-funded pandemic programs.

In connection with the enforcement action, the department seized over $16 million in cash and other fraud proceeds. The Center for Program Integrity of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CPI/CMS) separately announced today that it took adverse administrative actions in the last year against an additional 28 medical providers for their alleged involvement in COVID-19 schemes.

U.S. Attorney Brown announced that Shaquaila Lewis, a/k/a Shaquaila Lewis-Chatman, 35, of Gibsland, Louisiana, was charged in the Western District of Louisiana by indictment with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1.1 million in funds under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which were low-interest financing to small businesses, renters and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. According to the indictment, Lewis, a registered nurse, caused the submission of numerous fraudulent loan applications that contained false statements regarding a purported business and the intended use of the loan funds. The funds were allegedly used for personal expenses, such as gambling and contracting work on her home. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard of the Gulf Coast Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought hardships to many American citizens and those who have chosen to abuse the assistance that was provided is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “We will continue to join with our federal and state and local partners to investigate and prosecute any who may have defrauded the government through these programs that were offered to help people.”

“The Justice Department will not tolerate those who exploited the pandemic for personal gain and stole taxpayer dollars,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This unprecedented enforcement action against defendants across the country makes clear that the Department is using every available resource to combat and prevent COVID-19 related fraud and safeguard the integrity of taxpayer-funded programs.”

“Today’s announcement marks the largest-ever coordinated law enforcement action in the United States targeting health care fraud schemes that exploit the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. “The Criminal Division’s Health Care Fraud Unit and our partners are committed to putting an end to pandemic-related fraud and holding accountable anyone seeking to profit from a public health emergency.”

The announcement today builds on the successes of the April 2022 COVID-19 Enforcement Action and the May 2021 COVID-19 Enforcement Action and involves the prosecution of various COVID-19 health care fraud schemes. In one of the most significant types of COVID-19 health care fraud scheme announced today, multiple defendants were charged with defrauding the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program.

The announcement also includes first-of-its-kind charges against suppliers of COVID-19 over-the-counter tests, which Medicare began to cover in April 2022 for beneficiaries who requested the tests. These kits were provided to the public to slow the spread of a deadly disease, but wrongdoers allegedly sought to exploit the program by repeatedly supplying patients, or, in some instances, deceased patients, with dozens of COVID-19 tests that they did not want or need.

Charges were also brought under the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Initiative. The PRF is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal law enacted in March 2020 that provided financial assistance to medical providers to provide needed medical care to Americans suffering from COVID-19.

Today’s enforcement action was led and coordinated by Assistant Chiefs Justin M. Woodard and Debra Jaroslawicz and Trial Attorney D. Keith Clouser of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Strike Forces in Brooklyn, the Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, and Tampa; the National Rapid Response Strike Force; and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Central District of California, Middle District of Florida, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, Western District of Louisiana, Eastern District of New York, District of Puerto Rico, District of Utah, and Western District of Washington are prosecuting these cases, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the department’s website at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit/2023-case-summaries.

Other agencies involved are the FBI and HHS-OIG, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, AMTRAK Office of Inspector General, California Department of Health Care Services, and other federal and state law enforcement agencies across the nation.

The Health Care Fraud Strike Force is part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to prevent and deter health care fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. In the past three years, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force has rooted out health care fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, 53 defendants have been charged in nationwide COVID-19 Health Care Fraud Enforcement Actions for causing over $784 million in loss associated with the pandemic, and 20 defendants have been convicted.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.

An indictment, complaint, or information is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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LAKE CHARLES/LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that four defendants received lengthy sentences today for their participation in the trafficking of narcotics in the Lake Charles and Lafayette areas. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced two of the defendants in Lake Charles as follows:

Christopher Wayne Jones, II, 29, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 175 months (14 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release for possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl. On November 4, 2020, while patrolling an area near 18th Street in Lake Charles, Louisiana, an officer with the Lake Charles Police Department observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The officer activated his emergency lights and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle, later determined to be Jones, fled at a high rate of speed. After a short chase, Jones lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway, and struck a utility pole. Jones exited the vehicle holding a red backpack and fled the scene on foot. Officers gave chase and Jones was apprehended shortly thereafter and placed under arrest. After a brief search, officers found the red backpack that Jones had been carrying in a nearby backyard. Inside the backpack officers found approximately 554 pills which weighed approximately 282 grams. Lab reports revealed that the pills contained a mixture of acetaminophen and fentanyl. In addition to the narcotics found in Jones’ backpack, officers also found a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol in the front seat of his vehicle. Jones pleaded guilty to the charge on December 12, 2022. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and Lake Charles Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

Michael Javel Toefield, 52, of Baytown, Texas, was sentenced to 130 months (10 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On May 13, 2019, officers with the Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Task Force, Criminal Patrol Unit, conducted a traffic stop on May 13, 2019, of a vehicle which was driven by Toefield. A K-9 officer positively alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and officers began a search. During the search of the vehicle, officers discovered a white bag containing a cardboard Ultra beer box and inside were two clear plastic tubs containing over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Toefield admitted to knowing the drugs were hidden inside the box and pleaded guilty to the charge on November 12, 2022. The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Task Force and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced the following two defendants in Lafayette today:

Shane Christopher Malveaux, 51, of Eunice, Louisiana, was sentenced to 100 months (8 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiring with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. Malveaux pleaded guilty to the charge on November 29, 2022. According to information introduced in court, Malveaux was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy with others from August 2019 until January 2021. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into their organization and conducted controlled purchases from Malveaux’s co-conspirators. In addition, agents intercepted electronic communications between Malveaux and his co-conspirator, Shawn White, in which he purchased both powder cocaine and cocaine base from White on multiple occasions. Agents conducted physical and electronic surveillance of Malveaux and his drug trafficking activities, and he was charged with participating in the drug trafficking conspiracy.  The case was investigated by the DEA, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and Louisiana State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

Dallas Prejean, 60, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced to 113 months (9 years, 5 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Prejean was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy with several others and was charged in an indictment in October 2019. Through their investigation using physical and electronic surveillance of Prejean and his co-defendants, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) obtained evidence to secure a search warrant for a residence occupied by Prejean in Rayne, Louisiana. Agents found numerous firearms and large amounts of narcotics and other drug paraphernalia in the residence. Prejean admitted possession of the items to agents and pleaded guilty to the charge on October 13, 2021. The case was investigated by the FBI, DEA and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a pharmacy student and a licensed pharmacist with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, obtaining controlled substances by fraud, and distribution of a controlled substance.

The indictment charges Blair Guillory, 25, a pharmacy student at a university located in Monroe, Louisiana, and Brian Miller, 37, a licensed pharmacist who worked in pharmacies in Monroe and Ruston, Louisiana. The indictment alleges that beginning on or about June 11, 2022 and continuing until December 16, 2022, in the Western District of Louisiana, Guillory and Miller knowingly and intentionally conspired together to distribute Adderall and Vyvanse, both Schedule II controlled substances.

It is alleged in the indictment that Guillory received part of his education and training while working at Monroe area pharmacies, including one where Miller worked, and that is where they met. According to the indictment, Miller would see a medical provider to obtain prescriptions for Adderall and Vyvanse and would sell all or a portion of the drugs to Guillory, knowing that Guillory was going to sell the drugs to other individuals. In addition, it is alleged that Guillory would also see a medical provider to obtain prescriptions for Adderall and would sell all or a portion of the drugs to other individuals.

The indictment further alleges that Guillory would obtain prescription drugs from others and sell those drugs to students at the university where he attended pharmacy school in Monroe. Guillory would allegedly use Venmo and other mobile payment services to purchase and sell Schedule II controlled substances.

"Americans rely on pharmacies every day to legally dispense prescription medication to whom it is intended,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This region is also blessed to have a pharmacy school. Persons who are fortunate enough to work as pharmacists and those who have the chance to study pharmacy should not abuse these privileges. We allege that these persons acted illegally and look forward to proceeding with this case through the judicial process."

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

If convicted, Guillory and Miller face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of two cases in the Lafayette Division of the Western District of Louisiana. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced the following individuals yesterday:

Charles Dirk Lafleur, 56, of Ville Platte, Louisiana, was sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography. The charges in this case stem from an investigation by an agent with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crimes Unit after a Cyber Tip Line Report was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report identified the upload of an image containing child pornography to a Microsoft OneDrive account and identified the unique user information associated with that account. Their investigation revealed that the image did in fact contain child pornography and a search warrant was obtained for the Microsoft OneDrive account. The search warrant identified the account user as Lafleur. After further investigation, another search warrant was obtained for Lafleur’s residence and was executed by law enforcement agents on November 7, 2018. Agents recovered eight of Lafleur’s electronic devices, which were analyzed and found to contain images and videos depicting child pornography, including depictions of pornography involving prepubescent minors under 12 years of age.  Lafleur was charged and pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on October 12, 2022.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crimes Unit and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

In a separate and unrelated case, Nathan Zenon, Jr., 39, of Youngsville, was sentenced by to 68 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm. On May 10, 2017, deputies with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office observed Zenon enter a residence in Youngsville and attempted to serve him with an outstanding arrest warrant at the residence.  After his arrest, Zenon admitted to deputies that he had marijuana in his vehicle and gave consent to search. Deputies recovered two small bags of marijuana, a digital scale, and a magazine for a .45 caliber firearm loaded with six rounds of ammunition. A search warrant was obtained to search the residence and inside deputies found a loaded Springfield 9mm pistol in the bedroom. A DNA analysis confirmed that Zenon could not be excluded as a contributor to the firearm. In addition, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) tested the firearm and found it to be functional and manufactured in Croatia and imported via Illinois, thus having been transported in interstate commerce. Zenon has prior felony convictions for possession of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana (2006), and knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. He pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on November 7, 2022.  

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

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MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Howard Demartae Jackson, 27, of Ruston, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 170 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to evidence presented to the court, on or about May 25, 2022 while on patrol, an officer with the Ruston Police Department observed a man with a brown shoulder bag standing near the driver’s side of a vehicle near a gas station. The officer was suspicious of the activity and ran the license plate on the vehicle and learned that the driver’s license of the vehicle’s registered owner was suspended. The officer conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and the driver was confirmed to be the registered owner and she admitted that her license was suspended. Howard Jackson was identified as the passenger in the vehicle with the female. The officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside and a search of the vehicle was conducted. Officers and  found Jackson with a shoulder bag containing a loaded Smith and Wesson 40 caliber pistol, methamphetamine, marijuana, oxycodone, alprazolam, MDMA, plastic baggies, and a digital scale.  

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined and tested the firearm and found it to have been manufactured in Massachusetts and therefore traveled in interstate commerce. Jackson is a convicted felon with prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute both Schedule II and III controlled substances in 2020 and knew that he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Jackson pleaded guilty to the charges on November 28, 2022.

The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF and Ruston Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – A federal jury has returned a guilty verdict against Kristal Glover-Wing, 50, of Broussard, Louisiana, for one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and three counts of health care fraud following a trial that lasted nearly four weeks, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Dr. Gary M. Wiltz and Dr. Charles H. Louis were each acquitted on their charges in the indictment. Judge Robert R. Summerhays presided over the trial.

Glover-Wing was the owner of Angel Care Hospice (“Angel Care”), a Louisiana corporation that purported to provide hospice services in Lafayette Parish and other parishes in the Western District of Louisiana. Through evidence presented at trial, jurors learned that from approximately 2009 through 2017, over 24 patients were placed on hospice by Angel Care without meeting the criteria required by Medicare. During the time period that the patients were on hospice and under the care and supervision of Angel Care, none of them had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. In fact, many of the patients themselves, who are still alive and thriving many years later, as well as family members of other patients, testified that they never knew that they had been placed on hospice. The testimony revealed that while on hospice care, many of the patients were living normal lives and although most of them did have medical conditions, none had been diagnosed as being terminally ill. The fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare and reimbursed to Angel Care resulted in a loss of approximately $1,539,161.10 to Medicare.

“Krystal Glover-Wing defrauded the government and we thank the jury for holding her accountable. We will now move forward to her sentencing hearing,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “I thank the trial team and investigators for staying the course throughout years of investigating and a hard-fought trial. Although the doctors in this case were ultimately acquitted, we as prosecutors present the facts to a federal grand jury when we truly believe there has been a violation of federal law that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Furthermore, if the grand jury decides to indict, we are not afraid to proceed to trial and give a federal trial jury the chance to ultimately decide someone’s guilt or innocence based on the evidence that we have. The verdict rendered in this case is evidence that the system can be just, fair and the trial jury has the ultimate prerogative to convict or acquit.”

“Whenever Medicare providers are motivated by greed, our most vulnerable citizens, the elderly, are put at risk,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeff Richards of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).  “HHS-OIG agents will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate providers who loot the Medicare Trust Fund.”

Glover-Wing faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison on the conspiracy to commit health care fraud charge, up to 10 years in prison on the health care fraud charges, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly P. Uebinger, Danny Siefker, and Lauren L. Gardner.

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OPELOUSAS, LA - Elijah Jones, 31 has been sentenced by United States District Court Judge David Joseph to 51 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, as a result of a conviction for violation of one (1) count of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(l) punishable by 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(b)(l)(C) – Distribution of Fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.

On June 25, 2021, agents working in an undercover capacity negotiated a purchase suspected heroin from Elijah Jones. Agents contacted Jones via telephone to set up the transaction at the Cajun Fire Casino & Truck Stop in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Jones asked Agents to sit in his truck with him while they talked business and completed the heroin transaction. Jones agreed to selling a half-ounce of heroin and began to weigh and package the narcotics in a clear sandwich bag. Agents were able to purchase and executed three (3) different controlled buys of suspected heroin from Elijah Jones. Jones completed one transaction by placing the narcotics in Girard Park in Lafayette, Louisiana. The suspected heroin from all three purchases were sent to the Acadiana Crime Lab for analysis. Two reports indicate that the alleged heroin was in fact fentanyl. The third report indicate the substance is a mixture of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. Elijah Jones was sentenced to 51 months custody followed by 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $10,000.00.

This case was investigated by FBI, ATF, St. Martin Sheriff’s Office, and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

ALEXANDRIA, LA – Daniel Aikens, 40, of Alexandria, Louisiana, was sentenced March 28, 2023, to 16 years in prison for 8 counts of illegal explosive related charges by United States Senior District Judge Dee D. Drell announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.  On November 18, 2022, the jury found Aikens guilty of 3 counts of Making a Destructive Device, 3 counts of Possession of a Destructive Device in violation of the NFA, 1 count of Use of an Explosive to Commit a Federal Felony and 1 count of Conveying Malicious False Information.

The government presented evidence at trial that on September 12, 2019, an explosion occurred at Cloyd’s Beauty School in Monroe, Louisiana.  The victim was placing boxes inside a commercial garbage can when the explosion occurred and sustained burns on his hands and face.  Remnants of the device were collected by agents for analysis by the ATF laboratory and found to contain a rocket motor commonly sold at hobby stores and a pressure cooker.  Law enforcement was unable to identify a suspect at the time but obtained video footage from Hobby Lobby in West Monroe, LA showing a black male purchasing a rocket motor two days before the explosion.  Agents also collected numerous items for DNA analysis, including a piece of tape located on the device.  Further, on December 20, 2019, officers responded to reports of an explosion at a Texaco gas station located in Alexandria, Louisiana.  911 dispatch operators received a call from an unknown male caller advising that an explosion had occurred. 

On the morning of January 2, 2020, an employee at the Payday Today located on MacArthur Drive, Alexandria, Louisiana received a phone call from cell phone number 716-563-4031.  The caller initially spoke with an employee about a set of lost keys. While the employee was in the parking lot looking for the keys, an explosive device detonated in a trash can near the building. The caller advised that he caused the explosion and demanded $10,000 in cash.  The caller further advised that there was second device on the scene, and he would cause it to detonate if the employee did not comply.  The caller then recited the employee’s home address and explained that he knew that she had three children.  He then threatened to kill her and her family if she did not comply.  The caller then asked why the employee was going there instead of the bank.  This led the employee to believe that the caller was nearby and observing her actions.  The employee advised the caller that she needed a bottle of water, but once inside the store, she panicked, and the call was disconnected.  The employee ultimately did not provide any money to the bomber.  Among the blast debris collected from the scene, investigators located metal pipe fragments, which is indicative of a pipe bomb detonation.

During the investigation, law enforcement contacted employees at a nearby gas station.  The gas station is within approximately 400 feet of Payday Today and was determined to be an ideal overwatch location to observe any activity at PayDay Today.  Surveillance footage retrieved from the gas station showed a white Jeep Cherokee at the location.  A tall unidentified black male entered the store and made a small purchase, shortly before the explosion and call at PayDay Today.  Surveillance footage even showed the male looking in the direction of PayDay Today while inside the store on the telephone.  A BOLO alert was provided to Alexandria area law enforcement, with screen captures of a white Jeep Cherokee taken from the gas station and other businesses near the Payday Today bombing.  4 days later, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office located the Jeep Cherokee and initiated a traffic stop.  The driver was identified as Daniel Aikens and matched the description of the subject that was present at the gas station shortly before the explosion.  Investigators also secured a search warrant for Aikens’ home and pursuant to the search, observed damage in the kitchen area consistent with a blast and located what appeared to be fragments of galvanized pipe and blast debris indicative of a pipe bomb detonation.

When arresting Aikens, agents secured his cellular telephone and discovered that he had been communicating with a friend via text message concerning the Monroe bombing.  Agents later interviewed this friend and the friend stated that Aikens communicated with him after the Monroe and Texaco bombings.  He even stated that Aikens called him on the morning of the explosion from his personal cell phone and allowed him to listen in as he called Payday Today from the “bomb phone.”  Forensic examination of Aikens’ personal cell phone revealed Google Street View images of the Ferrand Street area near Cloyd’s Beauty School in Monroe, Louisiana. The phone’s web history showed a search for “how to build a pressure cooker bomb” and included a possible pdf download.  A piece of black electrical tape was recovered from the pressure cooker device and found to contain a mixture of a known DNA profile found to be 1 trillion times more likely to have originated from Aikens.  Cell phone and 911 records confirmed that the “bomb phone” was also used to call emergency services during the Texaco explosion on December 20, 2019.  The 911 recording depicts a male caller (who law enforcement identified as Aikens) advising that he was passing by, there was an explosion, and requests law enforcement.  Location data from Aikens’ personal phone showed that he frequented several stores in Lafayette, LA, the day before the Texaco explosion.  Specifically, it showed Aikens making stops near Home Depot, Academy Sporting Goods and Hobby Lobby.  Surveillance video from Home Depot showed Aikens’ entering the store at 12:33pm.  Twenty-three minutes later, he purchased a drill bit, two metal pipe caps, a steel pipe and adhesive.

Aikens’ cell phone was then located near Academy Sporting Goods a short time later.  Agents reviewed sales receipts around the time that Aikens was in the store.  They located a sales receipt at 1:39pm for 2lbs. of Hodgdon H335, Rifle Powder.  Included in that same purchase were two children’s fishing rod and reel combos and a lady’s rod and reel combo.  All three fishing combos were later collected from Aikens’ girlfriend who advised that she and her two children had received the fishing equipment as Christmas gifts from Aikens.  Aikens then traveled to the nearby Hobby Lobby. A review of the December 19, 2019, surveillance video showed Aikens purchasing what appears to be rocket motor starters.  Aikens returned to the store on December 21, 2019, and made another purchase identical to the one on December 19. 

“Simply put, Daniel Aikens is a domestic terrorist.  The citizens of the Western District of Louisiana should be able to move about their respective communities freely on a day-to-day basis without fear of hurt, harm or danger and this defendant deserves every single day of the sentence handed down by the court.  The sentencing hearing showed that the victims involved still are healing emotionally and I hope we brought them some manner of justice.  The prosecution team and state, local and federal investigators are to be commended for a job well done in collaborating to ensure that this defendant is held accountable.  Given the investigator’s swift action, no other individuals were harmed.  I pray that the conviction and sentence will serve as a deterrent for anyone thinking of committing such a selfish and inhumane crime,” stated United States Attorney Brown.

“ATF will continue to prioritize and aggressively investigate crimes involving the criminal use of explosives. Explosives can lead to serious injury, damage, and create fear in communities like happened to the citizens of Alexandria and Monroe,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “ATF remains vigilant working with its partners to keep the public safe by investigating and perfecting charges against those who use explosives with criminal intent.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Alexandria Police Department, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Louisiana State Police, and the Alexandria Fire Department investigated the case, with the assistance of the Alexandria Public Safety Commissioner and the City of Alexandria Mayor’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jamilla A. Bynog, LaDonte A. Murphy and Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jaron Mitchell, 30, of New Iberia, Louisiana, was sentenced to 122 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, as a result of a conviction for attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge David C. Joseph conducted the sentencing hearing.

In this case, on May 10, 2022, a Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) intercepted a package at UPS World Port in Louisville, Kentucky and Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) began an investigation. Investigators learned the package contained several smaller boxes that were destined for a home in New Iberia, Louisiana.  Agents discovered that the boxes contained infant/baby equipment, toys, and a total of ten (10) large Ziplock bag bundles containing suspected methamphetamine, each weighing approximately one pound. The total suspected weight of the methamphetamine was slightly more than ten pounds. Agents tracked the package to a home associated with Mitchell and then to a car where it was found. Mitchell was observed picking up the package from the home where it was delivered and was the driver of the car when package was located by officers. A data extraction of Mitchell’s cellphone showed he had been tracking the package through the UPS app on his phone. Mitchell pleaded guilty to the charge on December 9, 2022.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigation, Customs and Border Protection and the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Robert Lee Daniel, III, of Alexandria, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 65 months in prison for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.  Following his release from prison, Daniel will be placed on supervised release for a period of 3 years.   

The investigation revealed that in December of 2020, Daniel downloaded LA Wallet, which is a digital driver’s license mobile application, onto his smartphone.  Daniel obtained the Louisiana license information of A.S.M., who Daniel knew to be a real person, and used that information to obtain a digital copy of A.S.M.’s driver’s license on LA Wallet.  In January of 2021, posing as A.S.M, Daniel used the digital license of A.S.M. to open an account at Cenla Federal Credit Union.  Then, again posing as A.S.M., Daniel applied for and obtained a $41,844.45 loan through Cenla Federal Credit Union to purchase a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado.  Daniel not only lied about his identity, but he (posing as A.S.M.) also stated on the application that he was employed by Baker Hughes and had an annual income of $78,000.

In addition to Cenla Federal Credit Union, Judge Drell identified nine other victims of Daniel’s fraud scheme. Judge Drell ordered Daniel to pay a total of $45,512.97 in restitution to the victims.  At the time of his offense, Daniel was on probation in three different parishes in Louisiana for committing bank fraud.

"This is a great example of federal law enforcement agencies partnering with our local partners to pursue justice for these victims. Although these are typically known as nonviolent crimes, the actions of this defendant are inherently dangerous to the community because they violate privacy interests and take advantage of the state's technological advances. For these reasons, we are pleased with this sentence."

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Alexandria Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that William Ross Hickman, 48, of Arcadia, Louisiana, and Brian K. Whiteman, 47, of Haughton, Louisiana, have each pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information charging them with conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the hearing.

According to evidence presented to the court, Hickman and Whiteman participated in a scheme to defraud which began prior to 2018 and involved Raeford Farms of Louisiana, LLC (Raeford Farms), where Hickman was employed as the Sales Manager and Whiteman was as the Assistant Sales Manager of their Arcadia production plant. Raeford Farms sells various products to include fresh and frozen chicken, and chicken frames. A chicken frame is the core of the chicken that remains after processing the breasts, thighs, wings, and legs. Hickman negotiated the sale of these chicken products seeking the highest possible return when selling them.

While employed at Raeford Farms, Hickman developed a scheme to fraudulently divert business from Raeford Farms by using Group 7792 as an intermediary to purchase chicken frames from Raeford Farms. Hickman used his position as Sales Manager to provide favorable sales terms to other entities to the detriment of Raeford Farms. Hickman had a pre-arranged agreement with an unnamed individual and his corporation to sell the chicken frames to Heritage Food Sales (Heritage), which was another company controlled by Hickman. Heritage paid Group 7792 a guaranteed return for each transaction but never took possession of the chicken frames or added anything of value to the transaction. Hickman would then sell the same chicken frames to a poultry wholesaler in Chattanooga, TN for profit.

To further the scheme to defraud, Hickman and others acting in concert with him, sent invoices by email from Arcadia, Louisiana, through interstate commerce, for Heritage to receive payment for the chicken frames. Hickman and Whiteman conspired together to conceal the involvement of Heritage from Raeford Farms in these chicken frame transactions. As Assistant Sales Manager for Raeford Farms, Whiteman was responsible for tracking inventory and the details regarding all shipments. Whiteman provided this type of information to Hickman to further the conspiracy to defraud in order to get a higher price for chicken frame loads sold by Heritage. In exchange for his participation in the conspiracy to defraud, Whiteman understood and agreed with Hickman that Heritage would pay him through his own business entity, All Trade Enterprise, LLC (All Trade). Hickman would pay Whiteman a monthly commission through All Trade and occasionally to him personally. The transactions conducted during the time period of this investigation resulted in an approximate loss of $2,183,950 to Raeford Farms.

Hickman and Whiteman each face up to 5 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for July 12, 2023 at 9:30.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Anthony E. Johnson, 27, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced for his involvement in a counterfeit check cashing scheme. Johnson was sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 30 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $110,773 in restitution.

According to information introduced in court, Anthony Johnson conspired with Carlos A. Spann and Phelix Williams, both of Shreveport, in a scheme to cash counterfeit checks using fraudulent identities at banks and retail establishments throughout Louisiana in 2017 and 2018. Spann provided Johnson and Williams with altered overlays for identification cards along with counterfeit checks drawn on Tower Loan’s bank account, as well as counterfeit checks drawn on a U.S. Postal Service bank account. All of these fraudulent transactions were captured by surveillance video cameras.

Johnson pleaded guilty on January 17, 2019 in U.S. District Court. The court ordered that Johnson comply with the requirements of the U.S. Probation Office in connection with his pretrial supervised release and was allowed to remain on bond until his sentencing hearing which was scheduled for May 1, 2019.  Johnson failed to comply with the conditions of pretrial supervision and a warrant was issued for his arrest in March 2019.  Officers with the Shreveport Police Department arrested Johnson in September 2022 on an unrelated charge and learned of the warrant for Johnson. He was returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to face the charges in this case.  

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Shreveport Police Department, and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan and Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown joins the Regional Counterdrug Training Academy (RCTA) in announcing that Louisiana led the nation in the number of law enforcement officers trained by the RCTA in 2022. The RCTA is a military and law enforcement training group based in Meridian, Mississippi, that receives Congressional funding to provide training to law enforcement officers across the nation, but primarily in the southeast states, throughout the year. Instructors with RCTA travel to various sites to conduct training on subjects such as narcotics, interview and interrogation, vehicle interdiction, search and arrest warrants, peer support, and officer survival.

The Law Enforcement Coordination Committee (LECC) for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Louisiana, which is led by Law Enforcement Coordinator Alan Alkire, works with RCTA to arrange and facilitate those training classes for state, local, and federal law enforcement officers in the Western District of Louisiana, including Shreveport, Lafayette, Monroe, Alexandria and Lake Charles.

At their annual Board Meeting last week, RCTA announced the training statistics for 2022 and there were 1,390 officers who received this federally funded training in Louisiana, by far surpassing those who received training in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District was commended for being the primary catalyst to the large number of officers trained in Louisiana compared to the other states.

“Training is essential for our law enforcement officers,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Congress gives funding to entities such as RCTA to provide these training classes and it is vital to the continued development for these officers. It is important to me and this office that we are able to continue to facilitate this law enforcement training for state, local, and federal agencies, and I commend the hard work of LEC Alan Alkire and his dedication to this program.”

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MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that four defendants were sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty in four separate cases involving drug trafficking and firearms charges.

Leslie Jason Fulwiler, 50, of West Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  On or about January 28, 2021, Fulwiler pawned two firearms in Minden, Louisiana. Just one day later, Fulwiler went back to the pawn shop to try and retrieve the firearms he had pawned but could not do so due to the fact that he is a convicted felon. Further investigation by agents with the West Monroe Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) revealed that the firearms Fulwiler had pawned were in fact stolen. Fulwiler has prior felony convictions for possession of methamphetamine and burglary and knew that he could not possess a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon. The case was prosecuted by the ATF and West Monroe Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick.

Dantrell Rayshon Marshall, 23, of Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on firearms charges. On August 31, 2022, deputies with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for having an expired Louisiana temporary license tag. When deputies approached the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside and asked both the driver and passenger, who was later identified as Marshall, out of the vehicle. They consented to a search of the vehicle and deputies discovered approximately 42 grams of suspected marijuana and a Springfield Armory 9mm firearm loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition partially protruding from the front passenger seat. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined that the firearm was operational and had traveled through interstate commerce. Marshall was indicted September 28, 2022 and charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty to the charge November 21, 2022. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ATF, and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath.

Keith Jerome Mosley, 50, of Edwards, Mississippi, was sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into drug trafficking activities in Tensas Parish, Louisiana. On or about September 8, 2020, troopers with the Louisiana State Police stopped the vehicle Mosley was driving after learning that he had agreed to sell methamphetamine to an individual. Law enforcement officers found a plastic bag hidden in the vehicle which contained not less than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Mosley pleaded guilty to the charge on November 21, 2022.  The case was investigated by the DEA and Louisiana State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.

Adrian Dion Coleman, 24, of Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Coleman pleaded guilty October 31, 2022 to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. These charges stemmed from a traffic stop conducted on January 18, 2021 by officers with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office in which Coleman was a passenger in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a Taurus 9mm pistol on the seat of the car where Coleman had been sitting. Coleman also had 12 individual clear bags of marijuana on his person, containing a total of 48 grams. Coleman admitted the drugs and firearm were his. The firearm was tested by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and it was determined that the firearm was operational and had traveled through interstate commerce. The case was investigated by the ATF and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Weber.

“The sentences handed down in each of these cases are the result of outstanding work and coordination between our federal and local law enforcement agencies in the Monroe area,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “We will continue working together with these law enforcement agencies to make the streets of Monroe safer.”

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MONROE, La. – A federal jury in Monroe returned a guilty verdict late yesterday afternoon convicting Paul Anthony Lewis, 50, of West Monroe, on numerous drug trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge David C. Joseph presided over the trial.

According to evidence presented at trial, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Metro Narcotics Unit of Ouachita Parish began an investigation into the suspected drug trafficking activities of Lewis. While conducting surveillance of Lewis’ stash house, agents observed large packages that were delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to that address. A subsequent search of the house revealed large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base also known as crack cocaine, and promethazine in the house.  Testimony at trial revealed that Lewis used his telephone to negotiate drug trafficking transactions with unindicted co-conspirators in Texas and in the Western District of Louisiana.

“This defendant was a trafficker of almost any type of illicit substance he could get his hands on, with ‘was’ being the operative word here,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This jury verdict ensures that the citizens of Ouachita Parish will not have to worry about Mr. Lewis’ drug dealing for many years. Lastly, it is a priority in this district that there will be zero tolerance here for the trafficking of fentanyl.” 

Lewis faces a sentence ranging from 10 years to life in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing will be set by the court at a later date.

The case was investigated by the DEA, Metro Narcotics Unit of Ouachita Parish, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Gaskins and Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Bobby Joe Mincey, 30, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell for sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12. Mincey was sentenced to 50 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.

A federal jury in Alexandria convicted Mincey of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12 on September 9, 2022, following a trial. Evidence introduced at the trial established that in December 2019, Mincey was living with his wife, who was a soldier in the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. During this time, Mincey and his wife at the time and her two minor daughters were living in Base Housing at Fort Polk. On December 6, 2019, the two stepdaughters of Mincey, who were ages 6 and 9 at the time, confided to their mother that Mincey had been sexually abusing them. The mother immediately contacted the Fort Polk Military Police and reported the allegations made by her daughters. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began an investigation into the allegations and interviewed both of the female minor victims about the incidents that had taken place. As a result of their investigation, Mincey was indicted in May 2021 and charged with aggravated sexual abuse. The minor victims testified at trial about the sexual abuse that they suffered as a result of Mincey’s actions.

“The 50-year sentence handed down today in U.S. District Court sends a clear message that those who take advantage of others by sexually abusing them will lead to strong punishment for their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The minor victims in this case did nothing to deserve the abuse inflicted on them by this defendant and we applaud their bravery. This conviction and lengthy sentence are the result of the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agents with the FBI and the U.S. Army, Criminal Investigation Division.”

The case was investigated by the FBI and U.S. Army, Criminal Investigation Division, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Luke Walker and LaDonte A. Murphy.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Bernell George, 39, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced today for possession of a stolen firearm, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced George to 115 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

George pleaded guilty November 10, 2022, to a bill of information charging him with one count of possession of a stolen firearm. The charge stems from an incident on September 20, 2017, when George was found in possession of 15.7 grams of marijuana, a hand rolled cigarette containing marijuana, and a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun with 11 rounds of ammunition in the magazine. Through their investigation, law enforcement officers learned that the firearm was stolen out of Iberia Parish. George admitted to possessing the marijuana and buying the stolen firearm off the street.  

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lafayette Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Charles M. Thomas, 26, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and for violating the terms of his federal supervised release, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Thomas to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release on the firearms charge.

Thomas was indicted in March 2022 and charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and pleaded guilty to the charge on August 4, 2022. The charge stems from an incident which occurred on March 7, 2022, when officers with the Shreveport Police Department arrested Thomas for domestic violence. Further investigation by law enforcement agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led to the discovery of video evidence of Thomas being in possession of a firearm. Agents knew that Thomas had previously been convicted in the Western District of Louisiana in 2018 for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and at the time of this arrest for domestic violence, was on supervised release for that conviction. During a search of the apartment where Thomas was staying, agents discovered a bag containing .223 and 5.56 caliber ammunition which belonged to Thomas. The ammunition was compatible with the firearm that Thomas was seen holding in the video. In addition, agents found in the apartment the same sweatpants that Thomas was wearing in the video. Thomas has a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault with a firearm (2015) and the prior felon in possession of a firearm conviction (2018) in the Western District of Louisiana.

Thomas was found to be in violation of his federal supervised release, and he was sentenced to an additional 14 months in prison to run consecutive with the above sentence.

The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Ronnie K. Hongo, Jr., 43, of Many, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 180 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug and firearms charges.

According to evidence presented to the court, on or about March 19, 2021, the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence in Many, Louisiana where Hongo lived. Law enforcement agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office had information that Hongo had been selling methamphetamine to others. During the execution of the search warrant, deputies discovered 369 grams of methamphetamine and a .45 caliber pistol inside the home. Hongo was present at the home at the time of the search, and he was subsequently arrested. Following his arrest, Hongo confessed to possession of the narcotics and firearm. Additional investigation by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) revealed that the firearm had traveled in interstate commerce and functioned as designed. Hongo pleaded guilty on October 5, 2022 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of carrying and using a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

The case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two defendants in federal court. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Brian Broussard and Shalla Adams, both of Lafayette, for possession of illegal drugs and a firearm. Broussard and Adams were both charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Lafayette in June 2021.

Broussard, 34, was sentenced to 162 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, to include fentanyl. Shalla Adams, 35, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of an unregistered silencer.

These charges were the result of an investigation by agents into information they received about drug trafficking activities in the Lafayette area. With the assistance of local law enforcement, multiple search warrants were executed on May 12, 2021 on properties connected to Broussard and his co-defendant, Adams. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and other local law enforcement agencies, executed search warrants on properties and vehicles connected to Broussard and Adams. During the search of the residences, agents discovered a Romarm AK-47 style semi-automatic rifle, a Glock 9mm pistol, a Taurus pistol, a silencer, fentanyl, and other drug paraphernalia associated with the distribution of narcotics. Broussard was stopped by law enforcement officers after leaving one of the residences being searched and was found to have a Glock pistol in his vehicle with a mechanical modification switch that allowed the firearm to be fully automatic. Broussard pleaded guilty on November 21, 2022.

During the search of Adams’ residence on that same day, agents located a Glock 9mm pistol with a fully loaded 31 round magazine and another fully loaded magazine which contained 11 rounds of ammunition. In addition, agents located a firearm silencer which they learned was not registered as required pursuant to the National Firearms Act. Adams pleaded guilty on November 10, 2022.

This case was investigated by the DEA, FBI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Combined Anti-Drug Task Force and Lafayette Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Karen Hawkins Gier, 53, of Morgan City, Louisiana, was convicted yesterday afternoon by a federal jury of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. presided over the trial this week.

Gier was charged in an indictment in November 2021 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with fraudulently applying for disaster benefits from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security.

In August 2016, severe flooding impacted south Louisiana and a Presidential disaster declaration was issued on August 14, 2016 under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The incident period covered August 11, 2016 through August 31, 2016. FEMA was authorized to provide transportation assistance for repair or replacement of a primary vehicle damaged by the disaster.

Between August 11, 2016 and March 30, 2017, Gier, acting in concert with others, made false statements and representations to FEMA in applications for transportation benefits and submitted fake invoices from non-existent mechanic shops. Gier’s false representations to FEMA included lying about vehicles being flooded when they were not, and lying about the location of the vehicles being in a disaster area, when in fact they were not. Gier also included fake mechanic shop invoices in the applications to FEMA showing repair estimates that were completely made up by her and other co-conspirators. FEMA disbursed benefits for these alleged damages to the claimants who would then pay a portion of those funds to Gier as a kickback for submitting their fraudulent applications.

Gier faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing for Gier is scheduled for June 29, 2023.

A co-defendant in this case, Justin Maurice Hawkins, pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information charging him with one count of theft of government funds. Hawkins is scheduled to be sentenced May 4, 2023.

The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren L. Gardner and J. Luke Walker.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal jury has returned guilty verdicts against Aaron Wade Knight, 31, of Noble, Louisiana, on two counts of making threats of violence against employees with the Sabine Medical Center (SMC) and the Veterans Administration (VA). United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the trial.

The two counts in this case stem from incidents which both occurred on June 1, 2022, when Knight made threats of violence against employees of the SMC in Many, Louisiana, and the VA in Shreveport and Alexandria. The first incident occurred in the morning hours of June 1 when Knight, who was living in Virginia at the time, called the VA hot line in Alexandria and spoke to a nurse who was working the call center. Knight proceeded to tell the nurse that he was upset about a bill he had received for a hospital visit a few weeks earlier at the SMC. As the conversation continued, Knight became more agitated and made the comment to her, “What do I need to do, do I need to blow up this place to get some help?” Out of concern about the threatening comments Knight made to her, the nurse contacted a patient advocate with the VA in Shreveport who had worked with Knight before.

The patient advocate then contacted Knight out of concern about the comments he had made moments earlier to the nurse. During the phone call, Knight became angry with the patient advocate and began to shout and made the following threatening statement to her, “do I need to go up there and shoot these motherf****rs in the f***ing face.”

Knight faces up to 5 years in prison for each count, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for June 26, 2023, at 1:15 p.m.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Many Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Andrew Weber.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of three defendants for illegally possessing firearms. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the three men yesterday in United States District Court.

Paul Wilson, 49, of Lake Arthur, Louisiana, was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.  On November 30, 2019, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene of a reported shooting of a dog. During their investigation, deputies learned that Wilson had come to the victim’s residence and shot his dog. Wilson was still on the scene when deputies arrived, and they found him to be in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol. On another occasion in May 2020, Wilson was also found to be in possession of a Hi-Point .45 caliber pistol. Wilson has a prior felony conviction for aggravated battery and is prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. He was charged in an indictment and pleaded guilty on September 15, 2022. This case was investigated by the ATF and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

Robert Joubert, 38, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.  In this case, officers with the Lake Charles Police Department were flagged down in reference to an abandoned vehicle and a disturbance between Joubert and his girlfriend. Joubert and his girlfriend had left the scene. Officers began a search for the suspects and located them walking a few blocks away. Joubert was carrying a camo-colored backpack and was given a verbal command to stop but continued to walk away from officers. The officer observed him throw an item under a nearby residence which was later determined to be a marijuana blunt. Joubert was detained and admitted to throwing his backpack in a nearby trash can. Officers found synthetic marijuana inside the backpack, as well as Ecstasy, a digital scale and a firearm. Joubert has three prior felony convictions for possession of controlled substances, and possession of a weapon while in possession of a controlled substance. Joubert pleaded guilty on October 26, 2022. This case was investigated by the ATF and the Lake Charles Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

Brian W. Chappell, 58, of LaPlace, Louisiana, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of firearms. Chappell was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of a firearm without a serial number. Chappell pleaded guilty to the charges October 5, 2022. On September 29, 2021, a tow truck being driven by Chappell was stopped by officers with the Leesville Police Department. A search warrant was obtained and officers with the Leesville and deputies with the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office searched Chappell’s vehicle. During their search, officers found several firearms and three firearm suppressors. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined the suppressors and found them to be contain the same parts as a silencer.  Chappell admitted to owning the silencers and had not registered them with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required. This case was investigated by the ATF and the Leesville Police Department and Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Emilio Rodriguez, 28, from Channelview, Texas, was sentenced today for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Rodriguez was sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to evidence presented to the court, on November 17, 2021, a Louisiana State Police trooper stopped a vehicle bearing Texas license plates on Interstate 20 in the Western District of Louisiana for committing a traffic violation. After stopping the vehicle, the trooper approached the front passenger side of the vehicle and Rodriguez rolled down both front windows. He was the sole driver and occupant. The vehicle, however, was registered to another individual. Rodriguez admitted to the trooper that he did not have a Texas driver’s license but provided a Texas identification card.

While talking with Rodriguez, the trooper noticed a strong smell of air freshener coming from the vehicle and when asking questions about his travel itinerary, became suspicious of the story Rodriguez provided. A K-9 officer and his dog arrived on the scene and the dog positively alerted to the vehicle. The troopers searched the vehicle and found vacuum-sealed packages of brick-shaped items suspected to be cocaine hidden in the side panel on the passenger side of the dashboard. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) assisted, and the drugs were seized and sent to the laboratory to be analyzed. The lab results confirmed that the seized substance was 3,003.9 grams of a mixture or substance containing cocaine.

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

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that James Pittman, 41, and Jeffery Southern, 51, both from the Ruston, Louisiana, area have been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for trafficking methamphetamine. Pittman was sentenced to 153 months (12 years, 9 months) in prison, and Southern was sentenced to 150 months (12 years, 5 months) in prison. Both will be under supervised release for 5 years following their release from prison.

Law enforcement agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into the trafficking of methamphetamine in the Ruston area. During their investigation, agents learned that Pittman and Southern were traveling together to Houston, Texas to obtain methamphetamine on February 18, 2022. Agents conducted surveillance of their vehicle and observed the men as they returned from Houston and traveled through Shreveport and Bossier City. A deputy with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office observed the vehicle commit a traffic violation and conducted a stop of their vehicle. Pittman was identified as the driver and Southern as the passenger. Pittman admitted to the deputy that he had a warrant out of Webster Parish. The deputy confirmed that the warrant was valid and returned to the vehicle and asked Pittman to step out. While conducting a pat down of Pittman, Southern slid over into the driver’s seat and fled the scene. A back-up deputy gave chase and shot out the back tire of the vehicle as it fled. Southern was eventually stopped and taken into custody.

A search of the vehicle was conducted, and law enforcement officers found a duffel bag in the trunk containing 4.5 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. In addition, officers found a black zippered bag which Southern had thrown from the vehicle when he fled. The bag contained methamphetamine which was sent to the DEA Southeast Laboratory for testing, and it was confirmed to be 1460.7 grams of pure methamphetamine. Southern and Pittman were charged in an indictment, and both pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by the DEA, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ruston Police Department and Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of three men this week for the illegal possession of drugs. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Archie Louis Carter, Jr., 40, of Alexandria, Louisiana, and Isaiah Charles Jones, 34, of Houston, Texas.

Carter was sentenced to 188 months (15 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Jones was previously sentenced on January 23, 2023, to 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On February 13, 2020, a warrant was issued for Carter based on a criminal complaint which had been filed in the Western District of Louisiana charging him with a firearms violation. On February 15, 2020, law enforcement officers with the U.S. Marshal Service’s Violent Offender Task Force conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Carter was driving from the Houston, Texas area into the Western District of Louisiana. Jones was a passenger in the vehicle. Carter and Jones were ordered out of the vehicle and law enforcement agents detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A K-9 officer was deployed and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A search resulted in the seizure of large amounts of narcotics, including approximately 1,090 grams of heroin, 2,556 grams of cocaine, 1,030 grams of methamphetamine, and 12,223 dosage units of Ecstasy. Both Carter and Jones were arrested and subsequently indicted. On September 19, 2022, Carter pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and Jones pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy on September 19, 2022.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Marshal Service’s Violent Offender Task Force and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

In a separate and unrelated case, Travis Trentel Thorne, 39, of Crowley, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 37 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of heroin.

According to evidence presented to the court, on June 20, 2020, deputies with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop. Deputies found Thorne to be in possession of approximately 28.7 grams of heroin. In addition, deputies located a silver scale with heroin residue on the passenger side floorboard of the vehicle. Thorne admitted to law enforcement officers that the heroin was his and he possessed with the intent to distribute the heroin. Thorne pleaded guilty to the charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin on November 9, 2022.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two defendants for illegal possession of firearms. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced both defendants yesterday.

Lequentin Williams, 26, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The charges against Williams stemmed from a traffic stop that was conducted on January 15, 2021, by officers with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in Lake Charles. The vehicle was being driven by Williams and had two other occupants. Law enforcement officers became suspicious of the varying stories being provided by the occupants of the vehicle and had reason to believe they may be involved in criminal activity. A narcotics K-9 officer arrived on scene and performed a free air sniff alerting to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Officers found a Glock .45 caliber handgun in the vehicle and a large amount of cash. Williams later confessed to being the owner of the handgun, despite being prohibited from possessing it due to his prior felony convictions. His prior felony convictions include attempted illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled and dangerous substance, indecent behavior of a juvenile, second degree battery, aggravated flight from an officer. Williams was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and pleaded guilty to the charge on October 5, 2022. This case was investigated by the ATF and the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

Glenn Ray LaSalle, Jr., 23, of New Orleans, was sentenced to 50 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On November 20, 2021, during a traffic stop by troopers with the Louisiana State Police in Lafayette Parish, LaSalle was found with a Glock .40 caliber handgun on his person. LaSalle has prior felony convictions for aggravated flight from an officer and possession of stolen things and was prohibited from possessing a firearm. This case was investigated by the ATF and Louisiana State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John W. Nickel.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - On Friday Feb. 3, Alonzo Sentell Bagley tragically died following an officer involved shooting that occurred during contact with a member of the Shreveport Police Department. My thoughts are with the family and the Shreveport community, and I pray for healing as they deal with the trauma resulting from this incident.  I am encouraged by the fact that the investigative response and the federal and state collaboration pertaining to this incident has been swift and efficient. 

I have been in communication with District Attorney James Stewart, State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis, and SPD Chief Wayne Smith regarding this incident. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to communicate with state authorities as they conduct their investigation.  I have also contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. about the incident.

I hope that any protests remain peaceful and that the rights of protestors will be respected. As members of the law enforcement community, we will adhere to our role of ensuring that the civil rights of all people in the district are respected and all people are treated fairly. 

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MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two Tennessee men who were stopped for a traffic violation while driving through Louisiana and found to have cocaine in their vehicle have been sentenced. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the two men as follows:

Jalyn Thompson, 21, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, and Derek Tipps, 21, of Dickson, Tennessee, was sentenced to 120 months in prison. Both will be under supervised release for 5 years following their release from prison.  

On October 20, 2021, a vehicle was stopped by Louisiana State Police troopers for a traffic violation outside of Monroe, Louisiana. Thompson was driving the vehicle and Tipps was a passenger. The story they provided to law enforcement officers raised suspicions and a K-9 dog was summoned to the scene to assist. Upon arrival, the drug dog alerted on the vehicle and Thompson and Tipps admitted to having drugs in the vehicle. A backpack was found in the trunk which contained 25 pounds of cocaine. Both men were arrested and subsequently indicted for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Thompson and Tipps both pleaded guilty to the charge on May 3, 2022.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Joint Task Force and the Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.

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MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Terrell L. Kellum, 35, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for escaping from federal custody.

In 2016, Kellum pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison. After having served the majority of his time with the Bureau of Prisons, he was transferred in December 2019 to a residential halfway house in Monroe to complete his federal sentence. Kellum signed and agreed to Bureau of Prison’s Community Based Program Agreement subjecting him to certain rules and supervision while at the halfway house.

On March 10, 2020, Kellum left the halfway house at approximately 10:00 a.m. and told the staff that he was going to work. At 10:27 a.m., officers with the Monroe Police Department contacted staff at the halfway house wanting to question Kellum in connection with illegal check cashing activity. Officers determined that Kellum never showed up for work that day, nor did he ever report back to the halfway house, and he was placed on escape status. Deputies with the United States Marshal’s Service searched the area for Kellum to no avail. In August 2022, Kellum was arrested in Tarrant County, Texas and was returned to federal custody status.

The case was investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service and Monroe Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that James Ray Williams, 51, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 27 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on child pornography charges.  Williams was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,000.

Williams was charged in a superseding indictment in November 2021 with conspiracy to advertise the distribution of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to the charge on August 30, 2022.  According to information introduced in court, beginning in May 2021 and continuing through July 7, 2021, Williams was the master administrator of multiple private chat groups on the Kik Messenger app and had his own username. These private chat groups were dedicated to the advertisement and distribution of child pornography. As the master administrator, Williams posted rules to the private chat groups. He also recruited members to the private chat groups, some of whom he appointed to be sub-administrators of and enforce the rules in the groups. One of the rules required members of the private chat groups to post child pornography.

On or about May 9, 2021, Williams a.k.a. “travis_m495” published an advertisement in the private chat group an advertisement offering to distribute child pornography. The advertisement consisted of a Mega link with a file path which contained videos and images of child pornography.

Alexander Pennington, a convicted sex offender from Las Vegas who Williams appointed as a sub-administrator of the private chat groups, was charged as a co-defendant in this case. Pennington previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years in prison in connection with this case for his role in the conspiracy to advertise the distribution of child pornography.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Gjamale Demonte Kaver, 37, has been sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph on charges of abusive sexual contact with a minor under the age of 12. Kaver was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

A federal grand jury in Lafayette returned an indictment in March 2022 charging Kaver with abusive sexual contact with a minor under the age of 12 and he pleaded guilty to the charge on August 18, 2022. According to evidence presented to the court, Kaver was enlisted in the United States Army and stationed at the Fort Polk Military Reservation. While stationed there in 2007, and continuing upon his return to Fort Polk in 2009, Kaver engaged in abusive sexual misconduct with the minor victim who was under the age of 12.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana has jurisdiction over federal crimes that occur at Fort Polk Military Reservation,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Abusive sexual conduct with children is an intolerable crime and we will continue to prosecute those who commit these crimes to the fullest extent that the law will allow.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. McCoy 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.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - Chance Seneca, 21, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Robert L. Summerhays to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempting to murder a gay man as part of a months-long scheme to kidnap and murder gay men.

The court rested its sentence on many factors, including its determination that the defendant intentionally targeted the victim and other gay men because of their gender and sexual orientation.

"No one should ever be subject to the type of horrendous actions that this defendant inflicted upon the victim in this case," said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. "The victim never thought that he would find himself falling prey to a predator in such a way. Hate crimes are a top priority for the Department and this office and we take these kind of cases very seriously. It is important that we all remain vigilant and cautious as we use the internet in our everyday lives to avoid situations that may lead to destructive behavior of others towards us."

“The facts of this case are truly shocking, and the defendant’s decision to specifically target gay men is a disturbing reminder of the unique prejudices and dangers facing the LGBTQ+ community today,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The internet should be accessible and safe for all Americans, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. We will continue to identify and intercept the predators who weaponize online platforms to target LGBTQ+ victims and carry out acts of violence and hate.”

According to evidence introduced at sentencing and in an earlier hearing where the defendant pleaded guilty, Seneca in June 2020 used Grindr, a dating application for gay and bisexual men, to kidnap and attempt to murder H.W., a gay man. Specifically, Seneca used Grindr to propose a meeting with H.W., with the intent of murdering and dismembering him, and then drove H.W. to an isolated house, took out a handgun, instructed him to put on handcuffs, and then used several methods to attempt to murder him. Believing that H.W. was dead, Seneca then attempted to dismember him. After his arrest, Seneca admitted that he had planned to continue murdering gay men until he was caught or killed. 

Seneca acknowledged that he kidnapped and attempted to murder H.W. in order to satisfy a compulsive murder-fantasy. Seneca had become fixated with the idea of killing gay men, and this fascination led him to spend months designing a murder-kidnapping scheme that mirrored the murders of gay men committed by the notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Seneca intentionally targeted gay men, as Dahmer had done. Seneca had also intended to eat and preserve the bodies of his victims, as Dahmer had done. 

“The preservation of civil rights and the investigation of Color of Law violations are of utmost priority for the FBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that individuals like Chance Seneca will be held accountable. We thank our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and Lafayette Police Department for their strong partnership and dedication to protecting the civil rights of every citizen.”

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Lafayette Police Department and prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Myers Namie for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section. 

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WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it has concluded there is reasonable cause to believe that the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (LDOC) routinely confines people in its custody past the dates when they are legally entitled to be released from custody, in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. 

Specifically, the department concluded that: 1) LDOC denies individuals’ due process rights to timely release from incarceration; 2) LDOC’s failure to implement adequate policies and procedures causes systemic overdetentions; and 3) LDOC is deliberately indifferent to the systemic overdetention of people in its custody. For more than 10 years, LDOC has been on notice of its overdetention problem and has failed to take adequate measures to ensure timely releases of incarcerated individuals from its custody. Between January and April 2022 alone, 26.8% of the people released from LDOC’s custody were held past their release dates. Of those overdetained people, 24% were held over for at least 90 days, and the median number of days overdetained was 29. In just this four-month period, LDOC had to pay parish jails an estimated $850,000, at a minimum, in fees for the days those individuals were incarcerated beyond their lawful sentences. At that rate, this unconstitutional practice costs Louisiana over $2.5 million a year.  

As required by the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), the department provided LDOC with written notice of the supporting facts for these findings and the minimum remedial measures necessary to address them.

“The Constitution guarantees that people incarcerated in jails and prisons may not be detained beyond their release dates, and it is the fundamental duty of the State to ensure that all people in its custody are released on time,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our investigation uncovered evidence of systemic violations by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections that have resulted in the routine confinement of people far beyond the dates when they are legally entitled to be released. We are committed to taking action that will ensure that the civil rights of people held in Louisiana’s jails and prisons are protected. We stand ready to work with state officials to institute long overdue reforms.”

“Persons are legally incarcerated every day in America and are ordered by the court to serve certain sentences primarily for punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation purposes,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “This ultimately benefits the individual, society and the criminal justice system. There is an obligation both to incarcerated persons and the taxpayers not to keep someone incarcerated for longer than they should be. This can be costly from a physical and mental standpoint for the incarcerated individual and a waste of money for the taxpayer. Timely release is not only a legal obligation, but arguably of equal importance, a moral obligation. We look forward to working with the Louisiana Department of Corrections to ensure that it has the policy and tools going forward to prevent overdetention from reoccurring.”

“It is the job of the U.S. Department of Justice to protect the constitutional rights of every person, including individuals who are incarcerated,” said U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe Jr. for the Middle District of Louisiana. “While all government agencies operate under constraints, that is no excuse for violating the rights of people who have served their sentences and are ready to start their lives anew. Federal law requires equal justice for all. My office is committed to enforcing that mandate.”

“Today’s findings demonstrate the Department of Justice’s commitment to hold accountable institutions entrusted to protect the rights of all citizens, including people within the Louisiana Department of Corrections,” said U.S. Attorney Duane Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “Lawfully convicted people should not serve a day beyond their official designated release dates. Louisiana is wasting money on incarcerating people beyond their release dates and incurring legal expenses in defending lawsuits filed by the overdetained. We look forward to working with all affected parties to correct this problem.”

The Justice Department initiated the investigation in December 2020 under CRIPA, which authorizes the Department to take action to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of legal rights of individuals confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities.

Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Justice Department by phone at 1-833-492-0097, or by email at community.louisianadoc@usdoj.gov.

For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. You can also report civil rights violations to the Civil Rights Division by completing a complaint form available at: https://civilrights.justice.gov/.

Additional information about the Eastern, Middle, and Western U.S. Attorneys Offices is available at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla , https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdla , and https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla. 

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Pernell Deon Russell, 25, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to evidence presented to the court, officers with the Shreveport Police Department responded to a complaint of shots being fired throughout the day at a residence in Shreveport. When officers approached the residence, Russell’s mother answered the door and told officers she was not aware of a firearm in the residence, or any shots being fired. Officers proceeded to talk with her son, Pernell Deon Russell, who lived at the residence. Russell admitted to officers that he did have a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol that he had purchased from an individual, as well as 388 grams of marijuana that he intended to sell, in his possession.

Russell has a previous felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute narcotics and is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.  He was charged in this case with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and pleaded guilty to that charge on September 13, 2022.

The case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Gaskins.

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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. – Cornell Devon Shelton, 33, of Sulphur, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. conducted the sentencing hearing.

Shelton was charged in a bill of information with three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and he pleaded guilty to those charges on September 20, 2022. According to evidence presented to the court, Shelton, who has prior felony convictions, was found to be in possession of three different firearms on three separate occasions. On June 23, 2020, law enforcement officers with the Sulphur Police Department observed Shelton in the parking lot of a local motel conducting what appeared to be a narcotics transaction next to a vehicle. When the officer approached Shelton, he discovered Shelton was wearing a holster in his waistband and found a Taurus 9mm handgun on top of the driver’s seat of the vehicle which fit the holster he was wearing. The officer seized the firearm at that time.

On a second occasion on September 1, 2020, detectives with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office noticed an occupied vehicle at the Sulphur Truck Stop and Casino which was in violation of the mandated curfew following Hurricane Laura. Shelton was in the vehicle with two other passengers and had a Diamondback .308 rifle inside the vehicle. Further investigation by deputies revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen.

The third incident occurred on March 21, 2021, when a deputy with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Shelton. Shelton gave his consent for the vehicle to be searched and the deputy found a Beretta 9mm pistol located between the driver’s seat and console. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) test fired each firearm and determined each was a working firearm.

Shelton knew that as a convicted felon he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. His prior convictions are for deadly conduct - discharging a firearm in direction of an individual (2013), possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute (2015), and possession of a controlled substance (2017).

The case was investigated by the ATF, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Sulphur Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal jury returned a guilty verdict late yesterday afternoon convicting Recardo Cartrell Pierce, 26, of Shreveport, of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial.

According to evidence presented at trial, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s deputies conducted a stop of a vehicle for a traffic violation on May 21, 2022, in Bossier. Pierce was the sole passenger in the vehicle being driven by a female companion. When deputies approached the vehicle, they found Pierce with his seat pushed all the way back near the back seat of the vehicle and the seat was leaned back. Deputies were given consent to search the vehicle and found in the back seat behind the driver’s seat, and just within Pierce’s reach, a backpack containing a Kel-Tec semi-automatic 5.56 caliber rifle with a loaded magazine and a pair of safety gloves. This high-powered weapon had a round in the chamber ready to fire with the safety switch in the off position. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) joined the investigation and tested the firearm and found it to be in working order.

Deputies learned that Pierce had prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition and he was arrested at that time. Pierce was previously convicted of the same charge in federal court in 2018.

“Through the joint investigative efforts of deputies with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and the ATF, the jury was able to hear and evaluate the evidence, deliberate and convict this defendant accordingly,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “We look forward to the sentencing hearing where we will seek a stiff, but just, sentence of imprisonment.”

Pierce faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing date has been set for May 19, 2023.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Seth D. Reeg.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a drug trafficker from Church Point, Louisiana, has been sentenced in federal court. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Ricky James Shepheard, 43, to 120 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  

According to evidence presented to the court, law enforcement agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed a search warrant on Shepheard’s residence in Church Point on June 3, 2021. During their search, agents seized methamphetamine, heroin, and a large quantity of cash, as well as six firearms.

Shepheard pleaded guilty to a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on September 27, 2022 and admitted that he possessed 805 grams of a mixture of substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, as well as 230 grams of marijuana, 205 grams of synthetic marijuana, 10 grams of suspected heroin, and 7 Gabapentin pills. Shepheard also possessed 145 grams of an unknown white powdery substance and 130 grams of an unknown brown substance.

This case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two men from Lake Charles were sentenced by U.S. District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. yesterday for illegally possessing firearms.

Taylor Austin Chiasson, 33, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 96 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. The charges in this case stem from an incident which occurred on March 9, 2021, when Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a residence in response to a noise complaint. When deputies arrived, they observed Chiasson leaving the residence carrying a small child, several bags, and what appeared to be a pistol in a holster in his hand. Deputies stopped Chiasson to discuss what was going on and had dispatch run a criminal history of him. It was determined that in fact Chiasson had prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.  He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody. Chiasson pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on August 16, 2022.  Chiasson’s prior felony convictions were for simple burglary (2009) and distribution of a controlled substance (2012).

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ladonte A. Murphy.

The second case involved Deandrus T. Jones, of Lake Charles. Jones was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Jones was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and he pleaded guilty on August 29, 2022.  On May 13, 2020, detectives with the Jennings Police Department executed a search warrant at Jones’ residence and found a Taurus Millennium 9mm handgun next to his bed along with a loaded magazine and other narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Jones was arrested and the subsequent investigation by law enforcement officers revealed that Jones had previously been convicted on felony charges of attempted simple burglary and possession of alprazolam. Jones knew that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition because of his felony convictions.  

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Jennings Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Garrett Michael Faulk, 25, of Iowa, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 262 months (21 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, on child pornography charges. Faulk was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,000.

According to evidence presented to the court, investigators with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Iowa, Louisiana, regarding a complaint of child exploitation. Through their investigation, law enforcement agents found an explicit video and pictures on Faulk’s cell phone depicting the exploitation of children. Faulk admitted to agents that he had used his cell phone to capture the video and pictures of prepubescent children. He was charged by a federal grand jury with production of child pornography and pleaded guilty to one count on August 23, 2022.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker.

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.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Denell Linn Lee, 44, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today on drug and firearms charges, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Lee to 115 months (8 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Lee pleaded guilty on September 27, 2022, to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to information presented to the court, on the evening of February 27, 2020, agents with the Caddo-Shreveport Street Level Interdiction Unit and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) stopped Lee for driving a car without a license plate. As agents approached the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Law enforcement officers lawfully searched the vehicle and found a small amount of marijuana on the driver’s side floorboard where Lee had been sitting. In addition, agents found a bag containing a .22 caliber revolver, a digital scale, and approximately 565 tablets of a substance containing methamphetamine. The combined weight of the tablets was over 100 grams.

Lee has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for simple kidnapping, simple burglary, attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, domestic abuse battery, and domestic abuse with strangulation. As a convicted felon, Lee is prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

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

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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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