Western District of Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Alexander D. Pennington, 35, of Las Vegas, Nevada, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 30 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, on child pornography charges.  Pennington was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,000.

Pennington 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, from on or about May 1, 2021 through July 7, 2021, Pennington was a sub-administrator of 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 a sub-administrator, Pennington enforced the rules of the private chat groups, one of which required members of the private chat groups to post child pornography or be removed from the groups.

On or about June 1, 2021, Pennington a.k.a. “grimka00” published an advertisement in the private chat group titled “Sneak & Peak” for the purpose of receiving and displaying child pornography. The advertisement consisted of a notice which stated, “Any babies?” along with an image of a nude female baby.

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

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. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Charles Calvin Akins, 52, of Many, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 15 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.

Akins was charged in a federal indictment in February 2022 and pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture. This charge is a result of an investigation by law enforcement agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) into illegal activities of Akins. Akins is a convicted felon, having been convicted of a felony charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in 1988, as well as misdemeanor convictions for aggravated assault and unauthorized use of a movable in 2016.

On January 19, 2022, agents with the ATF obtained a federal search warrant for Akins’ residence in Many, Louisiana. While planning the execution of the search warrant, agents observed 15 pit bull type dogs in the backyard of Akins’ residence. The dogs were chained in close proximity to each other but outside of biting reach and each dog had access to a small wooden structure. During the execution of the search warrant, agents observed the dogs, their chains, and their plywood structures. Each structure was surrounded by a circular path or “chain path.” The chain paths appeared to be worn dirt that the dogs would traverse around their plywood structures due to the restrictions of their chains.

Inside a nearby shed was a homemade treadmill with a small, dog-sized running belt made of wooden slats. These treadmills are commonly used by dog fighters to train and condition their dogs for fights. Inside another shed, agents found a pistol next to a large toolbox containing a large metal spring device, metal scale, and animal medications, as well as several heavy metal chains and metal stakes, a dog-breeding device and numerous carpet pieces. All of these items are commonly used by dog fighters to train and strengthen their dogs’ bite, weigh game dogs as they train and prepare them for upcoming fights, and for strength conditioning of the game dogs. Pieces of carpet are also commonly used by animal fighters to line fighting pits and provide traction for their game dogs. The dogs were seized and given behavioral and medical assessments. Several of the dogs had scars and wounds around the back legs, neck and rear, and displayed dog-aggressive behavior toward other dogs.

Akins admitted to owning and possessing the 15 dogs at his residence, along with the dog-fighting equipment found there. He also admitted that the dogs were possessed for use in dog-fighting events which would be conducted between at least two animals for purposes of sport, wagering, or entertainment, and that such dog-fighting events affected interstate commerce.

“Dog fighting is not only against the law, but an inhumane way of treating animals,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Individuals who participate in this type of activity should be aware that it is illegal to participate or wager in dog or cock fights. This office will continue to work with federal and local law enforcement agencies to put a stop to this kind of activity in the Western District of Louisiana.”

The case was investigated by the ATF and FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Bonnie Jennifer Sherrard a/k/a May Bonnie Jennifer Sherrard, 46, of Ruston, Louisiana, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Shreveport for illegally dispensing and distributing controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.

The indictment alleges that Sherrard was a nurse practitioner licensed to practice in the State of Louisiana and worked with a physician in Ruston. Count 1 of the indictment charges Sherrard with the use of a DEA Registration Number issued to another person; Counts 2 through 41 charge Sherrard with illegal dispensation and distribution of controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice. In addition, the indictment seeks forfeiture of Sherrard’s license to practice as a nurse practitioner in the State of Louisiana.

It is alleged in the indictment that Sherrard was authorized to distribute and dispense controlled substances so long as these acts were in accordance with the collaborative practice agreement between she and the physician. Sherrard had a DEA Registration Number issued to her for use in distributing and dispensing controlled substances, but she was not authorized to prescribe controlled substances in connection with treatment for chronic pain or in connection with the treatment of family members.

The indictment further alleges that on or about January 11, 2020, through November 27, 2020, Sherrard knowingly and intentionally distributed and dispensed controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice to members of her family. These controlled substances included Hydrocodone, Adderrall, Xanax, and Clonazepam.

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

If convicted, Sherrard faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 on the counts involving illegal dispensation and distribution.  In addition, if convicted, Sherrard faces a sentence of up to 4 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 on the count involving illegal use of a DEA Registration Number issued to another person. 

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Salih Reed, 27, of Pineville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell for the burglary of two firearms stores in Benton and Youngsville, Louisiana, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced.

Salih Reed was sentenced to 270 months (22 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 6 years of supervised release. Reed was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $38,148.07. Reed pleaded guilty on August 4, 2022 to two counts of theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee.

The charges in this case stem from two thefts from firearms stores in Louisiana. On or about September 1, 2019, Reed stole 54 firearms from the premises of Sentry Defense located in Youngsville. Again, on November 14, 2021, Reed and Jessica Moore stole 62 firearms from the premises of Guns-N-Ammo, a licensed firearms dealer located in Benton, Louisiana.

“Salih Reed not only broke the law by stealing numerous firearms from two stores in Louisiana, but he caused multiple stolen firearms to be illegally transported to other cities in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The cooperation between law enforcement agencies, both federal and those in Louisiana and other states, are what led to the arrest of these individuals.  The goal of the Department of Justice is to help reduce violent crime and cases like these are where this begins. We will continue working with our federal and local partners to keep violent criminals off the streets.”

“This sentencing sends a strong message to gun traffickers that ATF will use every available resource to prevent and dismantle the flow of illegal firearms into our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “ATF will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate and seek prosecution of these cases to the fullest extent of the law in order to protect our citizens.”

Jessica Moore, 24, of Alexandria, was involved in the robbery of the Guns-N-Ammo store in Benton, Louisiana and pleaded guilty on August 24, 2022 to one count of theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee. Judge Drell sentenced Moore to time served, which began at the time of her arrest in February 2021, followed by 2 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,500.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Youngsville Police Department, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Los Angeles Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.

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MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Chase Levi Thibodeaux, 39, of Ruston, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for transmitting threats in interstate commerce.

These charges stem from an incident which occurred on or about October 12, 2021 when Thibodeaux placed a telephone call to the office of a United States Congress Member located in the State of New York. In the voicemail, Thibodeaux stated that he would buy an Uzi and gun the Member of Congress down in the streets. He also stated that he would buy a Walther PPK with a silencer and that the Congress Member would “never know what hit [them].”

The United States Capitol Police began an investigation into the threats and learned that Thibodeaux had in fact placed the phone call and left the threatening voicemail.  In addition, agents learned through their investigation that Thibodeaux had made over 100 calls to the Congressional Office in the previous two months, and left voicemails directly for the Member of Congress.

The case was investigated by the United States Capitol Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Deonne Drawdy, 50, of Pollock, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for committing wire fraud.  Drawdy was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $374,331.30.

According to evidence presented to the court, Drawdy was employed at the architectural firm of Barron, Heinberg, and Brocato (BH&B) in Alexandria, Louisiana from approximately 2007 to 2020 as the bookkeeper and financial director. Some of her duties as an employee there included issuing checks to vendors.  

In 2020, BH&B noticed suspicious activity in the firm’s accounts and an audit was conducted. Law enforcement agents with the United States Secret Service joined in the investigation. Their investigation revealed that on or about January 7, 2019, Drawdy issued a check on the firm’s bank account made payable to Meyer, Meyer, Lacroix & Hixson. Drawdy fraudulently endorsed the check and deposited it into her personal bank account on January 10, 2019 and converted those funds for her own personal use.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two defendants who were found guilty of trafficking narcotics in the Shreveport/Bossier City area have been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr.

Timothy DeWayne Vasher, 20, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of firearms during a drug trafficking offense. On August 11, 2021, deputies with the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle and made contact with the driver who was Vasher. Law enforcement agents detected an odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and conducted a probable cause search. Inside the center console, deputies found baggies containing between 3-5 grams of marijuana and a loaded Glock Model 21 .45 pistol.  Inside the trunk, deputies found a loaded Smith & Wesson Model M&P AR-15 pistol with a 50-round drum. The AR-15 had a barrel length of 8 7/8 inches and an overall length of 23 7/8 inches which had not been registered with the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Records (NFRTR). Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) determined that the firearms were in working order and that the AR-15 was stolen. The narcotics were tested by the North Louisiana Crime Lab and confirmed to be marijuana.

This case was investigated by the ATF and Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

Misty Michell Moran a/k/a Misty Ott, 46, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was also sentenced today to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 3 years supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In January 2022, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information that Moran was transporting large amounts of methamphetamine from the Dallas, Texas area to the Shreveport area. Through their investigation, agents learned that Moran was frequently making these trips. On February 21, 2022, troopers with the Louisiana State Police conducted a traffic stop of Moran’s vehicle for a speeding violation in Shreveport. Law enforcement officers found suspected methamphetamine inside a plastic bowl on the passenger seat of the vehicle, a SCCY Model CPX-2 9mm handgun attached to the front dashboard, and over $2,000 in cash. The narcotics were sent to the DEA Crime Lab and it was confirmed that the seized narcotics contained 998 grams of pure methamphetamine.

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

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Four defendants involved in two separate counterfeiting cases were sentenced today, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced the four defendants as follows:

Joshua Michael Dore, 38, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Dore was convicted on June 2, 2022, by a federal jury of defrauding the United States government by falsely making counterfeit obligations. Evidence presented at trial showed that on September 18, 2020, officers with the Lafayette Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on Rue Du Jardin in Lafayette. Dore was a resident of the detached apartment of that residence. During their search of the premises, officers located $1, $10, $20, and $100 counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs), along with paraphernalia used to create these counterfeit notes. In addition, several sheets of printed FRNs were located inside the main residence. Dore was convicted of having bills in those denominations in his possession.

In a second and unrelated case, the three following defendants were sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph:

Creig Matthew Jacquneaux, 48, of Lafayette, was sentenced to 16 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.  

Jeffrey Wilson, 30, of Lafayette, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.

Beau Bertrand, 34, of Breaux Bridge, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.

On December 6, 2021, law enforcement officers with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service executed a search warrant at a residence on 6th Street in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. During the execution of the search warrant, agents encountered Jacquneaux and Wilson, who were present inside a dwelling on the property, and seized counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) in denominations of $20, $50 and $100.  In addition to the counterfeit FRNs, officers located several genuine FRNs, printers and FRNs soaking in chemical solutions in order to “bleach” the ink from them. 

Jacquneaux and Wilson admitted to their involvement in a counterfeiting operation and each pleaded guilty to the indictment charging them with defrauding the United States government by falsely making counterfeit obligations. Both Jacquneaux and Wilson also admitted to passing counterfeit FRNs in the Breaux Bridge and Lafayette areas.

Bertrand pleaded guilty to a bill of information charging him with misprision of a felony and admitted that he knew that Jacquneaux and Wilson had manufactured the counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes with the intent to defraud others to believe the notes were genuine.

These cases were investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Lafayette Police Department and the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office and were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

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MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Michael Ansezell Tolliver, 57, of Monroe, Louisiana, appeared before United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty yesterday and pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering.

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

According to evidence presented in court, Tolliver devised a scheme to defraud the SBA and various financial institutions by falsifying PPP and EIDL Program loan applications and other documents to fraudulently obtain funds through these programs. Tolliver submitted these documents in the name of Tolliver Oil & Gas and provided false and fraudulent information specifically related to the number of employees and average monthly payroll of the company.

On or about May 14, 2020, Tolliver electronically submitted a false and fraudulent PPP application to “Bank 3” in the name of Tolliver Oil & Gas seeking approximately $664,724 in PPP funds. In the PPP application, Tolliver certified that the funds would be used “to retain workers and maintain payroll.” Tolliver falsely represented that the company had 108 employees and that its average monthly payroll was $265,889.60 and even submitted a fake IRS Form 940 for 2019.  Tolliver signed the PPP application and certified that the application and all information provided in it were true and accurate.  When in truth and in fact, Tolliver knew that Tolliver Oil & Gas had no employees or monthly payroll expenses. Thereafter, on or about May 21, 2020, Bank 3 disbursed approximately $664,724 in loan benefits to an account held by Tolliver at “Bank 1.” Using these and other funds, Tolliver made payments on vehicles and other items, including a 2020 Cadillac CT5, 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, two Tissot watches, two Tag Heuer watches, two 2021 Honda Rubicon ATVs, and one 2021 Honda Pioneer ATV.

After receiving the $664,724 in fraudulent acquired PPP loan benefits, Tolliver withdrew approximately $500,065 of those funds in the form of a cashier’s check on June 25, 2020, knowing that the funds were derived from unlawful activity, and deposited them into an account at yet another bank held by Tolliver.  

Tolliver faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 2, 2023.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana and Assistant Chief Justin M. Woodard of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section of the Department of Justice.

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 of Justice’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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MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of a Monroe man for his role in the trafficking of narcotics in the Monroe area. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Oterrance Jackson, 46, of Monroe, Louisiana, to 168 months (14  years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking charges. Jackson pleaded guilty on September 9, 2022, to charges in a federal indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. 

Law enforcement agents with the Metro Narcotics Unit in Monroe and task force officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) became aware in the fall of 2020 that Jackson was selling large amounts of narcotics out of his residence on Dawnview Street in Monroe. Agents began surveillance of the residence and were able to determine that Jackson was living at the residence. On December 15, 2020, agents obtained a search warrant for Jackson’s residence and during the search found approximately 19 pounds of marijuana located in large Ziploc bags, 1,710 ecstasy pills, 64 grams of powder cocaine, 54 grams of crack cocaine, 610 pills of suspected Viagra, and approximately $20,000 in cash. Agents also found a loaded Glock Model 17 9mm firearm with an extended magazine and a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver in the master bedroom. The narcotics were taken to the criminalistics laboratory for testing and the suspected ecstasy pills were confirmed to contain over 28 grams of methamphetamine and the suspected Viagra pills were found to have over 28 grams of fentanyl. Jackson is a convicted felon and has prior felony convictions for possession of cocaine in 1998 and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2014.

“Agents recovered a smorgasbord of drugs from Mr. Jackson’s home, including fentanyl, the most dangerous drug we’re dealing with right now,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This lethal substance has indeed reared its ugly head in northeast Louisiana and those with substance abuse issues or abuse narcotics illegally are at grave risk indicated by recent overdose deaths in the Monroe area and across the south. Given Jackson’s criminal history, this sentence is appropriate, and we will continue to be aggressive in prosecuting these types of offenders.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Monroe Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

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MONROE, La. – A former officer with the Monroe Police Department, Jared Preston Desadier, 44, was sentenced today to 78 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, for his role in the assault of an arrestee in Ouachita Parish and his efforts to cover up that abuse.

“The defendant’s decision to callously abuse an arrestee when he thought he wasn’t being watched is an affront to the principles of honesty and integrity that our society expects from law enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This sentence makes clear that the Department of Justice will aggressively investigate and prosecute any officer who believes that the Constitution only applies when the cameras are on.”

“All Americans expect law enforcement officers to continuously abide by the law,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The bedrock of officer and citizen engagement is for the officer to, without exception, act professionally with a goal of deescalating tense situations. Here, this defendant instead decided to criminally escalate the situation by unnecessarily battering the victim. Prosecuting offenses such as these not only benefit society, but also law enforcement because bad police officers who cast a black eye on the profession are eradicated from the law enforcement community. This office will continue to prosecute these types of crimes with a goal of increasing the public’s trust in law enforcement.”

According to the defendant’s plea agreement, on April 21, 2020, officers of the Monroe Police Department, including Desadier, conducted a field interview with the victim in this case. When the victim attempted to run away, Desadier chased after him. The victim eventually stopped running, got on his stomach, and put his hands behind his back. Desadier ran towards the victim and then asked his fellow officer whether the officer’s body-worn camera was recording, and when he was mistakenly told that the cameras were off, he continued to run towards victim and kicked him in the face.

Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Brown, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) are seeking to identify potential victims of an online child exploitation scheme which originated in Northeast Louisiana in 2021. 

The defendant in this investigation, Gary Landon Harper, has been charged by federal indictment with production of child pornography, under 18 U.S.C. § 2251, receipt of child pornography, under 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(2), possession of child pornography, under 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B), and enticement of a minor, under 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). The defendant may also be known by the following online usernames: “lilharp,” “oleharp,” “Millwright2011,” and “olecountry1234.”  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

If you, your family member, or anyone that you know has had contact with this individual or any of the above-listed usernames while using the online applications Snapchat or Cash App between 2019 and 2021, please contact the FBI via email at: harpervictim@fbi.gov.

For additional resources and information, please visit:  https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/sextortion.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. – Daniel Aikens, 40, of Alexandria, Louisiana, was convicted of 8 counts of illegal explosive related charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.  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 and will be sentenced by Senior District Judge Dee D. Drell on March 3, 2023.

“What this investigation shows is that when federal, state and local law enforcement partners collaborate to investigate heinous criminal activity, justice is more often than not inevitable.  This is an extremely dangerous individual and we are fortunate more persons were not injured.  All the investigators at every level, talented prosecutors and the courageous victims and witnesses who faced Aikens in court, played a vital role in helping us obtain this conviction.  The Western District of Louisiana is truly a safer place today due to this guilty verdict and given Aikens’ actions, coupled with his failure to accept responsibility, we will indeed seek a lengthy prison sentence,” stated United States Attorney Brown.

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. 

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 Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog, LaDonte A. Murphy and Daniel J. McCoy are prosecuting the case.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Ezekiel Anderson, IV, 30, of Franklin, Louisiana, has been sentenced on firearms and drug charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Anderson was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 112 months (9 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Anderson pleaded guilty on April 27, 2022 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to evidence presented to the court, investigators with the Chitimacha Tribal Police Department encountered Anderson in the parking lot of the Cypress Bayou Casino on April 30, 2021. During their interaction with Anderson, investigators smelled the odor of marijuana coming from his vehicle and on his breath and person. A search warrant was obtained by law enforcement officers and a search of Anderson’s vehicle resulted in the discovery of a black bag on the front passenger seat containing a loaded Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a baggie containing suspected methamphetamine, along with other suspected narcotics and items used in the distribution of narcotics. The Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory analyzed the seized narcotics and determined that Anderson possessed approximately 8.4 grams of methamphetamine, 105 grams of marijuana, 47 Alprazolam tablets and 2 tablets containing methamphetamine.

The firearm and ammunition recovered were analyzed by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In addition, a review of Anderson’s criminal history revealed that he has numerous felony convictions, including possession of cocaine with intent to distribute (2012); possession of cocaine (2015); attempted possession of firearm by a convicted felon (2017); simple escape (2017); simple kidnapping, simple burglary, and possession of methamphetamine (2018).

The case was investigated by the ATF, Chitimacha Tribal Police Department, and St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. - Assistant Attorney General Clarke and United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Darnell Fulton, 38, of Pineville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to compel labor by three minors and to transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

According to the plea agreement, between June 2016 and May 2019, the defendant used violence, sexual abuse, withholding of food, degradation and intimidation to coerce multiple minors to work for his brownie baking business and provide him with the business profits. The defendant required the victims to travel to as many as 20-30 locations a day, such as plazas, car dealerships, law firms, restaurants and parking lots, in order to sell brownies. The victims worked late into the night, either selling or baking the brownies, and sold them during the day instead of going to school. In fact, the victims typically worked seven days a week with very few breaks, and had to meet a sales quota every day. The defendant regularly assaulted the victims, especially if they did not meet his sales quotas. For example, the defendant frequently required the victims to get on their hands and knees on rice and stay in a pushup or plank position for hours, and he often whipped them with a belt if they got out of proper form. He also forced the minor victims to perform sexual acts with him and others and transported them across state lines in order to engage in criminal sexual activity.

“This case is proof that human trafficking doesn’t just happen in other countries,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana.  “But in fact, human trafficking can be happening right in our own neighborhoods and communities without us even realizing it.  Each of us must be vigilant and aware of our surroundings and if we see a situation that seems suspicious, take the time to report it to the police. Unfortunately, the victims in this case are the ones who have suffered life-long trauma because of this defendant’s horrendous acts. We will continue fighting for victims such as these to ensure that those who choose to inflict this type of harm on others are brought to justice.”

“Human trafficking is a heinous crime that targets some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, cruelly exploiting the victims for their labor and services,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This conviction makes clear that the Department of Justice will prosecute those who use violence, psychological abuse, and emotional manipulation to compel the labor and services of their victims. We encourage survivors of forced labor, including children, to report forced labor complaints to authorities.”

Fulton’s sentencing hearing has been scheduled for April 11, 2023. Fulton faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment, as well as a $250,000 fine for transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and a maximum penalty of 20 years and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to commit forced labor. As part of his plea agreement, the defendant agreed to a sentence of 35 years in prison and to pay more than $700,000 in restitution to the victims.

The FBI New Orleans Field Office in Alexandria investigated this case, with assistance from the Alexandria Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky of the Justice Department’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of two cases in the Lake Charles Division of the Western District of Louisiana. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the following two defendants today:

Johnathan Wade Thierry, 49, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On April 20, 2021, law enforcement officers with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force team in Lake Charles, Louisiana, were conducting home surveillance to execute active arrest warrants for Thierry.  Officers observed Thierry depart from his residence and they initiated a traffic stop, taking him into custody for the outstanding warrants. He consented to a search of his vehicle but would not give consent for them to search his residence. A search warrant was obtained for search of Thierry’s residence and upon execution, officers recovered a loaded Guardian .25 caliber pistol, as well as a box of .25 caliber ammunition.  Because he was a convicted felon, it was illegal for Thierry to have a firearm or ammunition in his possession.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

Robert Edward Wright, 68, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of firearms. This charge stems from an incident that occurred on August 6, 2020 when deputies from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic violence call. When deputies arrived on the scene, they learned that Wright had shoved a female and grabbed her by the throat with both hands. While at the residence, deputies found two loaded firearms in the residence, a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun and a Remington 770 rifle. Wright’s girlfriend admitted to deputies that she had purchased the firearms at the direction of Wright because he knew as a convicted felon he could not purchase one or have any in his possession. Wright has prior felony convictions for aggravated burglary in Louisiana and DWI in Texas prohibiting him from possessing any firearms or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the ATF and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Joshua Cade Labit, 37, of Rayne, Louisiana was sentenced today by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 220 months (18 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.

Labit was indicted by a federal grand jury in Lafayette and he pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on January 13, 2022.

According to evidence introduced in court, during the early morning hours on March 10, 2021, law enforcement agents conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle near Crowley, Louisiana. Labit was a passenger in the vehicle and one of his co-defendants, William Tarleton, was driving. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and agents located multiple packages containing a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine, a box containing 12 bottles of promethazine/codeine syrup, and a small bag containing approximately 5 grams of marijuana. The methamphetamine was found inside a duffle bag on the floorboard. The approximate weight of the methamphetamine was 2.65 kilograms.

At the guilty plea hearing on June 2, 2022, Labit admitted that he conspired with Tarleton and others to purchase the methamphetamine for future distribution.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Treymon Daykeem Reed, 29, of Alexandria, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 72 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of firearms.

Reed was indicted in February 2022 and pled guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on August 10, 2022. The charges stem from two separate incidents that occurred in the Alexandria area. The first occurred on September 15, 2020 when an officer with the Alexandria Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Reed. During the stop, officers smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and asked if there was any inside. Reed told officers that he had thrown it out the window and consented to a search of the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, officers found a large bag of marijuana, 62 marijuana cigarettes, 194 oxycodone pills and a Sig Sauer 9mm magazine with two rounds of ammunition.

The second incident occurred on February 1, 2021 when an officer with the Alexandria Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle for running a stop sign. The driver was determined to be Reed. When Reed stepped out of the vehicle, the officer noticed Reed had a large object in his pants pocket. A pat down was performed, and officers discovered two large bags of suspected marijuana in his pants pocket. Officers later also recovered a loaded Glock 9mm pistol and $13,000 cash between the driver’s seat and center console.

Reed had prior felony convictions for second degree battery in 2013 and assault by drive-by shooting in 2009 and was therefore, prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. The firearms and ammunition recovered from both traffic stops were analyzed by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The case was investigated by the ATF and Alexandria Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jody Osmer, 38, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge David C. Joseph. Osmer received a sentence of 235 months (19 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for production of child pornography.

This investigation began when law enforcement officers with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) received a cyber tip regarding distribution of child pornography associated with Osmer. On April 13, 2021, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at his residence in Lafayette and found him to be in possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors. Osmer later admitted to agents that he had used social media to communicate with minor females in an effort to meet them in person and engage in sexual relations.

Through their investigation, agents learned that between October 2014 and January 2017, two minor females had communicated with Osmer via cell phone applications and had sent sexually explicit images of themselves via cell phone with Osmer at his request. In addition, Osmer admitted that he met one of the minor victims and engaged in sex with her. Osmer pleaded guilty to coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct and agreed that he did so with the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct.

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

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. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Debra E. Craig, 66, of Converse, Louisiana, entered a guilty plea today before Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to one count of obtaining controlled substances by fraud.

Craig worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse Medical Assistant at the DeSoto Regional Health System in Mansfield, Louisiana and was assigned to work with Dr. Jeffrey L. Evans.

Dr. Evans convinced Craig to illegally fill prescriptions for hydrocodone-acetaminophen on his behalf by indicating to her that he needed medication to treat pain.  Dr. Evans would write prescriptions to Craig in the name of “Debbie Craig” for 100 dosage units of hydrocodone-acetaminophen 10-325 mg and would provide cash to Craig to be used to pay for the prescriptions at Mansfield Drug Company in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana.  After filling the prescriptions, Craig would provide all the hydrocodone-acetaminophen to Dr. Evans. Hydrocodone-acetaminophen is a Schedule II controlled substance.  One of the fraudulent prescriptions was filled at Mansfield Drug Company on September 18, 2020 and is the basis for the guilty plea entered today.  The prescription was for 100 tablets of hydrocodone-acetaminophen 10-325 mg, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Craig faces up to 4 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  A sentencing date will be set at a later time.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and was prosecuted by Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the United States Attorney, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Shannon.

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SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/MONROE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Cytheria Jernigan and Karen King will lead the efforts of this office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election.  AUSAs Jernigan and King have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the Western District of Louisiana, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

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

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

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).  

“The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs/DEOs Jernigan and King will be on duty in this district while the polls are open.  AUSA Jernigan can be reached by the public at our Shreveport office at 318-676-3600 and AUSA King can be reached at our Lafayette office at 337-262-6618.”

For those who may have complaints regarding violations in the Shreveport, Monroe, and Alexandria areas, please contact AUSA Cytheria Jernigan at 318-676-3600. Those who may have complaints involving violations in the Lafayette or Lake Charles areas, please contact AUSA Karen King at 337-262-6618. You can also email us with any complaints at: usalaw.election-fraud@usdoj.gov.

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

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov.  

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

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

For more information about federal elections, please go to our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/election-fraud and click on the Federal Election Fact Sheet.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Harold W. Sanford, Jr., 52, of Bossier City, Louisiana, appeared before United States District Judge Donald E. Walter today and pleaded guilty to charges related to his recent arrest and involvement in stealing funds from the Bossier City Police Union and obtaining controlled substances by fraud.

Sanford was arrested on August 26, 2022 as the result of a criminal complaint charging him with fraudulently obtaining prescriptions for a controlled substance.  On September 13, 2022, Sanford was indicted by a federal grand jury, along with his co-defendant Mitchell Morehead, and charged with conspiracy to obtain controlled substances by fraud and distribution of a controlled substance. Subsequently, a bill of information was filed on October 20, 2022 charging Sanford with an additional count of conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States. He is pleading guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States and one count of obtaining controlled substances by fraud.

According to information presented in court, Sanford was a Sergeant with the Bossier City Police Department and the President of the Bossier City Police Local 645 of the International Union of Police Associations (Bossier Police Union). Sanford’s co-defendant, Morehead, was a fundraiser for the Bossier Police Union who directly reported to Sanford. An investigation by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed that Morehead would solicit money from area businesses and other individuals by telling them that he was raising money to support the charitable purposes of the Bossier Police Union.  While acting in his capacity as President of the Bossier Police Union, Sanford agreed to pay Morehead 50% of all funds received as compensation.  

Sanford would present checks payable to Morehead to tellers at the bank where the Bossier Police Union account was held and then pay Morehead in cash. The endorsement on the back of these checks were made in Morehead’s name but written by Sanford. On occasion, Sanford would keep all or some of the money from these checks. Employees at the bank eventually told Sanford that he could no longer cash checks payable to Morehead without Morehead being present.  Thereafter, Sanford would write checks payable to Morehead for an inflated amount, have him endorse the checks, and take Morehead to the drive-through lane at the bank branch to cash them.  Sanford would then keep some of the money for himself and provide the remainder to Morehead.

Once Sanford took over the payments of money to Morehead for the Bossier Police Union in July 2020, the financial records indicate the percentage of money paid to Morehead increased from about 50% to about 75% of the charitable contributions collected.  The loss amount from this scheme is $31,740.

Agents with the FBI also learned through their investigation that Sanford fraudulently obtained prescription drugs, to include hydrocodone and oxycodone, with the assistance of Morehead.  Specifically, on August 22, 2022, Sanford drove Morehead to the office of a Shreveport physician referred to in the indictment as Individual A.  While at Individual A’s office, Morehead falsely represented that he needed a Schedule II controlled substance and obtained a prescription for Percocet 10-325 mg.  Sanford paid for Morehead’s office visit with Individual A.  Thereafter, Morehead filled the prescription and provided 23 of the Percocet tablets to Sanford.  

Sanford faces a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, for conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States. In addition, he faces up to 4 years in prison for obtaining controlled substances by fraud. Sentencing has been set for February 24, 2023 at 11:15 a.m.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the United States Attorney.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Dr. Jeffrey L. Evans, Jr., 65, of Mansfield, Louisiana, and Debra E. Craig, 66, of Converse, Louisiana, were each indicted by a federal grand jury in Shreveport today for illegally obtaining and distributing controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.

Evans was a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State of Louisiana with an office in Mansfield, and Craig was an LPN who worked in the medical clinic and was assigned to work with Evans.  The indictment alleges that beginning on or about January 2, 2014 and continuing until on or about March 9, 2022, Evans and Craig conspired together and with other persons to obtain hydrocodone and Adderall, both Schedule II controlled substances, by fraud.

It is alleged in the indictment that Evans would write prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances to an unnamed person identified as “Individual 1” and to his co-defendant and LPN, Craig. The controlled substances prescribed included hydrocodone-acetaminophen tablets, hydrocodone-homatropine syrup, and Adderrall.  According to the indictment, Individual 1 would fill the prescriptions at a Mansfield, Louisiana area pharmacy and then provide the Adderrall to Evans, who would split the controlled substance containing hydrocodone with Individual 1.

The indictment further alleges that Craig would fill the prescriptions at a Mansfield, Louisiana area pharmacy using the name “Debbie Craig.” Evans would provide cash to Craig to pay the pharmacy for the Schedule II controlled substances and after filling the prescriptions, Craig would in turn provide them to Evans.

It is alleged in nine counts in the indictment that Evans obtained controlled substances by fraud from December 2017 through August 2018.  In addition, Evans and Craig are both charged with five counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud between September 2020 and March 2022. Finally, the indictment alleges that Evans distributed controlled substances through prescriptions that were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose between February 2018 and August 2018.

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

If convicted, Evans faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  If convicted, Craig faces a sentence of up to 4 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. 

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

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SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $152,565 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program in the Western District of Louisiana. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime, violent crime and gang violence in the district. The grant is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, an arm of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP). The OJP provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. 

The PSN approach is guided by four key 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 of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.  PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.

“The PSN program has played a vital part in the battle against the problem that we have with gun violence in the Western District of Louisiana,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This grant will help to continue the efforts of officers in Shreveport and other cities in our district to combat this type of violence on our streets. The success of the PSN program is a result of the tireless, and sometimes thankless, efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. We commend these law enforcement officers for the work that they do each and every day to keep our communities safe and look forward to continuing the work before us.  However, this grant will also give us an opportunity to focus on crime deterrence, prevention and educational programs through other community partners for the benefit of our district.”

Past recipients of PSN grants have been the Alexandria, Lake Charles, Monroe, Shreveport and Lafayette Police Departments as well as the Caddo Parish and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Offices and Lafayette City Marshal’s Office. Funds were granted for various programs to include assisting with implementation of a new computer software program, body cameras for law enforcement officers, training for officers on gang prevention and overtime hours for law enforcement officers to increase patrols in areas that saw an increase in violent crime, including narcotics, gang and gun-related violent crimes.

The Shreveport Police Department has been named as the fiscal agent for administering the funds allowed through this PSN grant. A committee comprised of community volunteers from the five major cities in the Western District of Louisiana has been appointed to be responsible for reviewing the applications received from law enforcement and non-governmental agencies who submit their grant proposals.

“Project Safe Neighborhoods has been a successful program for our city,” stated Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith. “We are honored to once again act as the fiscal agent for this grant and look forward to supporting the U.S. Attorney and our federal partners in building mutual trust between law enforcement and the community to help curb the violent crime epidemic in our area.” Shreveport Police Department, on behalf of the DOJ’s OJP, is seeking applications for these grant funds under the PSN Program.  At least 30% of the grant funds must be designated for grants under the PSN Program to fund new and/or current gang violence reduction strategies in the Western District.  Various types of single or multi-grantee grant proposals are welcome, including those that address the following:

• Gang and gun violence reduction, deterrence, prevention, community outreach and education;
• Enforcement, adjudication and supervision programs;
• Prisoner re-entry programs; or
• Other innovative related projects.

The FY 2022 PSN Grant Announcement can be found on the Western District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney’s Office website at: www.justice.gov/usao-wdla. To be eligible, grant proposals must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2022, to the following e-mail address: USALAW.PSN@usdoj.gov.  Interested applicants may also e-mail questions or contact Lisa Alwert at (337) 262-6618 for additional information. 

More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of two cases in the Western District of Louisiana today. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the two defendants as follows:

John Robert Stevens, Jr., 35, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 51 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm.  Stevens pleaded guilty to the charge on May 25, 2022 which stemmed from an incident that occurred in Lake Charles when officers with the Lake Charles Police Department were dispatched regarding complaints about a suspect named “John.” Officers arrived at the location and after an encounter with Stevens, found a Lorcin L25 in his front pants pocket, along with a glass tube with white residue wrapped in bubble wrap. Officers learned that Stevens was a convicted felon, and he was arrested. Their further investigation determined that Stevens had been walking along the street looking for his girlfriend when he encountered another couple. Stevens told officers he held the gun in his front pocket and gestured with it toward the couple and they were able to see the imprint of the gun through his jacket. Because Stevens has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited from having a firearm in his possession.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lake Charles Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.

Derrick Nathaniel Hartfield, 55, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for escaping from federal custody. Hartfield was previously convicted on federal charges of aggravated identity theft and wire fraud in July 2012. He served his 84-month federal prison sentence and was released in March 2019. On January 8, 2020, his supervised release was revoked due to a violation, and he was sentenced to serve an additional 27 months in prison. During his sentence on the revocation, he was transferred to a CINC facility, also referred to as a halfway house, in Lake Charles to complete his sentence. On August 26, 2021, Hartfield stated he was enroute to the facility returning from work. However, an hour passed, and Hartfield never returned. CINC staff made several attempts to contact Hartfield, but he did not respond.  

On September 20, 2021, officers with the San Bernadino County, California, Sheriff’s Office responded to a local pizza restaurant in connection with a theft. Hartfield was identified as the suspect and taken into custody. A complaint was filed on September 23, 2021 charging Hartfield with escape from federal custody without permission.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshal’s Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Orlando Rishawn Walter, 33, of Cedar Hill, Texas, has been sentenced today in federal court, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced.  United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote sentenced Walter to 49 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

Walter was charged in an indictment in December 2020 with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and he pleaded guilty to the charge on May 27, 2022. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on July 25, 2020 when deputies with the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle. The driver was identified and asked to provide a registration for the vehicle. When the driver opened the passenger door to retrieve the paperwork, the deputy noticed another individual sitting in the passenger seat, who was later identified as Walter. The deputy observed the butt end of a rifle sitting beside Walter and Walter’s left hand on the firearm. Walter was ordered to slowly exit the vehicle with hands raised and as he exited the vehicle, he fled into a nearby cemetery. Deputies were unable to apprehend Walter at the time. Walter’s firearm was retrieved from the vehicle and deputies discovered that it was a loaded AR-15 pistol with a 30-round magazine, with a round in the chamber and the safety was in the off position.  

Law enforcement agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined that Walter has previous felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute Schedule I controlled substances (2008) and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (2015), as well as DWI (2017).  As such, Walter was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.  Agents were able to locate Walter and he was arrested and charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The case was investigated by the ATF and Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. – Michael O. Falcone, 41, of McComb, Mississippi, was sentenced today for illegal possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced Falcone to 18 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to evidence presented to the court, on September 29, 2021, law enforcement officers with the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Falcone.  Deputies observed Falcone with a knife that was visible on his person and multiple other knives in plain view in the vehicle and thus, conducted a pat down search of Falcone. The deputy found a fully loaded handgun magazine in Falcone’s outer front pocket. A search warrant was obtained by law enforcement to search Falcone’s vehicle. Inside deputies found a fully loaded Sig Sauer P365 handgun in the glovebox and a J.C. Higgins revolver located under the driver’s seat. Falcone previously pleaded guilty to domestic abuse battery in 2012 and was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

Falcone was indicted for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in April 2022 and pleaded guilty to the charge on July 7, 2022.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.

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. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two defendants who were involved in separate child pornography cases. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the following individuals today:

Michael Allen Smith, Jr., 33, a lawyer from Leesville, Louisiana, has been sentenced to 168 months (14  years) in prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for enticement of a minor. Smith pleaded guilty on February 17, 2022 to the charge which was the result of an investigation into a complaint received in January 2020 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The mother of a 15-year-old boy reported that while her son was visiting a relative in the Leesville area, he had met and engaged in sexual conduct with an adult male. The mother told law enforcement that she had seen a video on her son’s phone of he and the adult male engaged in sexual conduct. She took the phone from her son and turned it over to law enforcement for further investigation.

The victim was interviewed, and agents determined that he had engaged in these acts with Smith, who recorded them on his phone at his residence in Leesville. The victim admitted that he met Smith on the social media platform Grindr and initially told Smith that he was 21-years-old. However, he later confessed that he was a minor and Smith continued the sexual relationship with the victim and in fact visited his profiles on social media and knew he was a minor.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Luke Walker and Earl M. Campbell.

In another case, Raymond Fontenot, Jr., 39, of Reeves, Louisiana, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for production of child pornography. Fontenot pleaded guilty to the charge on July 6, 2022. According to evidence presented to the court, officers with the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Fontenot’s residence on November 9, 2021. While searching the residence, law enforcement officers found an Android tablet hidden in Fontenot’s bathroom. Another search warrant was obtained for the tablet and a forensic examination was performed. The examination revealed videos containing child pornography, specifically one from 2020 depicting sexual abuse of a prepubescent girl while she was sleeping. Fontenot admitted to law enforcement officers that he had created the video and had sexually exploited the victim.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

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 Debra Bossier a/k/a Debra Palmer, 48, of Mansfield, Louisiana, entered a guilty plea today to one count of acquiring or obtaining controlled substances by fraud. The hearing was held before United States District Judge Donald E. Walter.

According to evidence presented to the court, Bossier worked as a Medical Assistant at the Desoto Regional Health System (Desoto Regional) in Mansfield, Louisiana. Desoto Regional used an Electronic Medical Records System to document patient encounters and generate electronic prescriptions. Bossier used the Electronic Medical Records System to falsely document telephone encounters to obtain controlled substances by fraud and forgery by generating controlled substance prescriptions for herself, her husband, her daughters, and a daughter’s boyfriend.  

The primary controlled substances that Bossier obtained by fraud were Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 10-325 which is sometimes marketed under the brand name “Norco” and Oxycodone-Acetaminophen 10-325 which is sometimes marketed under the brand name “Percocet.”  Bossier also fraudulently generated prescriptions for Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ativan. During the scheme to defraud, Bossier improperly generated over 200 prescriptions. 

Once the prescriptions were generated, Bossier would print the prescriptions and mark them with an “E” above the name of the physician who allegedly prescribed the medications and would fill them at Mansfield Drug Company or would provide the fraudulent prescriptions to her family members.  The family members would then fill the prescriptions at Mansfield Drug Company. One of the fraudulent prescriptions was filled at Mansfield Drug Company on October 31, 2019.  Bossier generated this prescription for 120 tablets of Percocet for herself in the name of Debra Palmer.  Percocet contains Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.

“Medical providers and their employees have a duty to put patient’s interests ahead of their own and not take advantage of their employment situation for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The defendant in this case fraudulently obtained multiple controlled substances for herself and others without a valid prescription. This office will continue to hold those accountable who commit such selfish acts.”

Bossier faces a maximum sentence of not more than four years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for February 10, 2023 at 11:00.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - Troy Lee Washington, 27, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced in U.S. District Court, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Washington today to 48 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm. Washington was indicted by a federal grand jury, and he pleaded guilty to the charge on June 8, 2022.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred on July 27, 2021 when Washington was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through Louisiana Probation and Parole.  Officers with the Shreveport Police Department conducted a traffic stop of Washington’s vehicle on that date and during the stop, observed a pistol protruding from underneath his driver’s seat.  The firearm was seized by officers and found to be loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition in an extended magazine. It was later identified as a Glock .357 pistol and law enforcement agents found that it had been reported stolen. DNA taken from the pistol was tested and found to be a match with Washington’s DNA.

Washington has prior felony convictions, including six counts of simple burglary and nine counts of attempted simple burglary in 2016, and illegal possession of stolen things in 2014. These felony convictions prohibit him from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Shreveport Police Department, and Louisiana Probation and Parole, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of a Many, Louisiana man in federal court today.  United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced Damien Medlock, 36, to 151 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Medlock was indicted in June 2021 and pleaded guilty to the charge on May 16, 2022.

The charge is the result of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed “Pick Your Battles” by law enforcements agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Sabine Parish Narcotics Task Force in the Sabine Parish area.  This incident occurred on May 31, 2021, when agents learned through their investigation that Medlock sold methamphetamine to an individual. Following the sale of the methamphetamine, law enforcement agents arrested Medlock.

A search warrant was obtained for his residence in Many and later that day agents executed that search warrant. During their search of the residence, agents discovered approximately 1,286 grams of narcotics in various containers in the kitchen, along with three digital scales, baggies and a drug ledger that was found in the living area. The narcotics were taken to the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory and tested and confirmed to contain methamphetamine with a total weight of 1,287.8 grams.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Sabine Parish Narcotics Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford. This effort is part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Chance Seneca, 21, of Lafayette, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays, to one count of kidnapping.

According to his plea agreement, Seneca admitted that on June 20, 2020, he used Grindr, a dating application for gay and bisexual men, to kidnap and attempt to murder H.W., a gay man.  Specifically, Seneca acknowledged that he used Grindr to propose a meeting with H.W., and that he drove H.W. to an isolated house, took out a handgun and told him to put on handcuffs.  Seneca then attempted to murder and dismember H.W. Seneca acknowledged that he intended to murder and dismember H.W. for the purpose of satisfying his homicidal urges, and that he had planned to continue murdering until he was caught or killed. 

“The actions and intentions of the defendant in this case were shocking,” 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. The Justice Department will continue to identify and hold accountable anyone who uses online spaces as a means to terrorize or abuse others.”

“The facts surrounding the events that took place in this case are very disturbing,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “It is nothing short of miraculous that the victims who endured the vicious attacks from this defendant survived. We will continue to fight to seek justice for victims who suffer at the hands of defendants such as this.”

The statutory maximum for the kidnapping offense is life imprisonment. Seneca faces additional exposure under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines if the sentencing court finds beyond a reasonable doubt that he intentionally selected the victim because of the victim’s actual or perceived gender or sexual orientation. Sentencing is scheduled for January 25, 2023.

Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Brown and Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. for the FBI New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI and the Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Myers Namie of the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division. 

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WASHINGTON – Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), headquartered in Illinois, has agreed to pay $2.5 million in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act’s General Duty Clause and Risk Management Program Regulations at its containerboard production mill in DeRidder, Louisiana.

In the complaint, filed today with the proposed settlement, the United States and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) allege nine Clean Air Act violations that stem, in part, from a fatal explosion and accidental release at the DeRidder mill on February 8, 2017. The explosion – which killed three workers and injured seven others – launched a 100,000-gallon storage tank into the air and over a six-story building before it landed on mill equipment approximately 400 feet away. The blast also caused property damage and released extremely hazardous substances into the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspected the DeRidder mill after the explosion and uncovered additional Clean Air Act violations.

“PCA violated the Clean Air Act and accompanying regulations at its DeRidder mill, resulting in an explosion that caused the senseless deaths of three workers, while placing other workers and the surrounding community in danger,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division. “The Department will continue enforcing environmental mandates to save lives and protect air quality — especially against companies with a history of misconduct, like PCA.”

“The Clean Air Act was created to provide guidelines for companies such as PCA to adhere to in order to keep our communities safe from hazardous substances,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “Sadly, it took an explosion and the loss of lives to highlight PCA’s failure to adhere to some of these guidelines. The Civil Division in the Western District of Louisiana has an important job and welcomes the opportunity to continue to work alongside our federal and local partners to ensure these laws are abided by.”

“This case demonstrates the tragic impacts to human life and the environment that can result from failures to follow appropriate chemical accident prevention and preparation requirements,” said Larry Starfield, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This settlement both holds the Packaging Corporation of America accountable for failures that contributed to this accident and sends a clear message to corporations across the country on the importance of implementing appropriate chemical safety measures.”

“This settlement holds Packaging Corporation of America accountable for the harm it has caused to the environment and to the individuals who lost their lives on Feb. 8, 2017,” said Dr. Earthea Nance, EPA Region 6 Administrator. “Legal action will be pursued for companies who fail to safeguard their workers’ well-being. We offer our condolences for all individuals affected by this tragedy.”   

“We join with our federal partners in taking action to ensure that this tragic occurrence is properly addressed,” said Dr. Chuck Carr Brown, LDEQ Secretary. “Those responsible must be held accountable.”

Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act and its accompanying regulations are designed to prevent the accidental release of hazardous substances, like those at the DeRidder mill. Congress added section 112(r) in response to the 1984 catastrophic release of methyl isocyanate in Bhopal, India, that killed more than 3,400 people and injured more than 200,000 others. Under the Clean Air Act, facilities like PCA’s are required to identify hazards, design and maintain a safe facility, minimize the consequences of accidental releases that do occur, and comply with regulatory prevention measures. Failing to comply with these requirements increases the risk of accidents and threatens surrounding communities.

Reducing the risk to human health and the environment by decreasing the likelihood of chemical accidents at chemical facilities is a top priority for EPA’s enforcement and compliance assurance program.

The proposed stipulation of settlement is subject to a 45-day public comment period and court review and approval. A copy of the stipulation of settlement is available on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that John Monroe Cameron, 45, of Jena, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Joseph for possession of heroin. Cameron was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release.

Cameron was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2022 and charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin. On June 28, 2022, he pled guilty to that charge. The charge stemmed from an investigation into an incident that occurred on February 8, 2022 when a law enforcement agent with the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) discovered a suspicious parcel at the Shreveport Postal Service. The package was addressed to an individual in Jonesville, Louisiana from a sender in Pharr, Texas.  A search warrant was obtained for the package and executed on that same day. During the execution of the warrant, the law enforcement agents found approximately 2.2 pounds of suspected black tar heroin.

Agents determined that the address on the package was an abandoned residence. Law enforcement agents went to the address to conduct a controlled delivery of the package. Upon arrival to the area, the agents observed a pickup truck blocking the road. The occupant, later identified as Cameron, exited the truck and approached the agents and told them they were at the correct address and took the package. Agents left the scene but through surveillance observed Cameron take the package to a nearby wooded area where he opened it.

The case was investigated by the USPIS and Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Elena E. Rivers, 30, and Tryton Alonzo Thomas, 33, both of Many, Louisiana, have been sentenced for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine in the Sabine Parish area. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced the defendants as follows:

Thomas was sentenced to 262 months (21 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.  Rivers was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities in the Many, Louisiana area. According to evidence presented to the court, Thomas sold methamphetamine to numerous individuals. Specifically, law enforcement agents obtained video evidence in September 2021, when Thomas sold over 100 grams of methamphetamine on four occasions.  On September 29, 2021, agents observed Rivers drive Thomas from her house to conduct a drug transaction. When Thomas and Rivers arrived, law enforcement agents attempted to make a traffic stop but Rivers placed the car in gear and fled the scene. As she fled, she narrowly missed hitting two deputies who were on foot. During the chase that ensued, deputies observed Thomas throw a bag containing a white substance from the car. Deputies were able to locate and recover the bag which contained methamphetamine. Rivers and Thomas were apprehended by law enforcement agents. Following the chase, deputies executed a search warrant on Rivers’ residence and discovered methamphetamine, marijuana, 60 ecstasy pills, and numerous prescription drugs.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody. This effort is part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Two defendants have been sentenced for their involvement in the trafficking of methamphetamine in the Shreveport/Bossier City area, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced both defendants as follows:

Justin Lamar Shealey, 40, of Bossier City, Louisiana, was sentenced to 210 months (17 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking charges.  His co-defendant, John Chaz Bernos, 39, was previously sentenced on August 26, 2022 to spend 162 months (13 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Shealey and Bernos each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On February 24, 2021, Louisiana State Police troopers conducted a traffic stop of Bernos. At the time of the stop, Bernos had an active arrest warrant outstanding. Troopers searched the vehicle Bernos was driving and discovered methamphetamine, marijuana, testosterone, and other assorted prescription pills. Bernos was arrested and later admitted to law enforcement officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that he purchased the methamphetamine and had intended to distribute to others. The methamphetamine was sent to the DEA laboratory for analysis and determined to be 61.8 grams of pure methamphetamine.

Further investigation led DEA agents to Shealey after learning he had sold methamphetamine out of his vehicle. Agents found Shealey at a local casino and received consent to search his vehicle. Inside, they found that he had over 600 grams of methamphetamine in the vehicle. Shealey later admitted to agents that he had been purchasing the methamphetamine in the Dallas area and would bring it back to the Shreveport/Bossier City area for distribution.  

This case was investigated by the DEA and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal jury in Lake Charles returned a guilty verdict late yesterday against Joseph Randall Boswell, Sr., 53, of Elizabeth, Louisiana, following a week-long trial. Boswell was convicted of one count of bankruptcy fraud and one count of tax evasion. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. presided over the trial.

According to evidence presented during the trial, 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. Boswell 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. Boswell was self-employed and withheld information from the court as to companies that he had control of through other family members. Evidence introduced at trial showed that 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. The jury determined that Boswell 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 was a complicated case that involved countless hours of work by both attorneys from this office, agents with the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and employees with the U.S. Trustee’s Office,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Those who defraud the government through bankruptcy proceedings and attempt to avoid paying the income tax they owe are a burden to citizens who obey these laws. We will not back down from prosecuting cases involving this type of fraud and are committed to ensuring that these laws are not violated.”

“Yesterday’s guilty verdict is a direct result of the excellent partnership IRS-CI and the U.S. Attorney’s office has in combating violations of Federal law," said Demetrius D. Hardeman, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. "This guilty verdict should serve as a deterrent to those who might contemplate similar fraudulent actions and who willfully violate their known legal duty of paying their fair share of taxes.”

Boswell faces a sentence of up to 5 years in prison and three years of supervised release on each count, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for January 23, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.

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

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MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Montrelle D. Jones, 21, of Monroe, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 78 months (6 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on firearm charges. Jones was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 26, 2022 and charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a firearm in a school zone. He pleaded guilty to the charges on March 28, 2022.

These charges stem from an incident on January 14, 2022, when a Monroe Police Department officer who was working off-duty security at the Neville High School basketball game on the school campus was alerted by several individuals that there were a group of males fighting outside in front of the gym. As the off-duty officer made his way outside to break up the fight, he observed approximately 30 individuals who were in an agitated state gathering in the foyer of the gym. The officer immediately went inside the foyer and observed Jones lift up his shirt with his left hand and saw he had a Glock-style handgun with an extended magazine secured in his waistband. The officer went to Jones and placed one hand on the weapon and the other on his shoulder and brought him to the nearest wall. He placed Jones’ gun on the floor and took Jones into custody. The officer observed several people flee from the foyer. Jones was escorted to the police vehicle and secured. The gun was taken into evidence and identified as a Glock Model 17, 9mm pistol.

At the time of Jones’ arrest, he was the subject of a court order which had been issued in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana on June 25, 2021 restraining him from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner. That order included a finding that Jones was a credible threat to the physical safety of the intimate partner, which prohibited him from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Monroe Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. – A federal jury in Alexandria, Louisiana has returned a guilty verdict today convicting Bobby Joe Mincey, 30, of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell presided over the three-day trial.

In December 2019, Mincey was living with his wife at the time, who was a soldier in the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. During this time, Mincey and his wife 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) consequently began an investigation into the allegations and interviewed both of the female minor victims about the incidents that had taken place. In May 2021, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Mincey with aggravated sexual abuse.

The trial began Wednesday, September 7, 2022. The minor victims testified at trial that Mincey sexually abused them day after day beginning from the time that they were 5 and 6 years old. They testified that Mincey would force them to perform oral sex on him.

“The aggravated sexual abuse of a minor is an incomprehensible act, and these are cases that we will not shy away from prosecuting,” stated USA Brown. “The bravery shown by these minor victims who were willing to stand up to their abuser in court and tell the truth as to what happened to them is nothing short of heroic. These types of crimes will not be tolerated in the Western District of Louisiana. The tireless work by the FBI and U.S. Army, Criminal Investigation Division, for their work in this case is to be commended and we will continue to work to fight for victims such as this.”

Mincey faces a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for December 9, 2022.

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

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Irvin J. Butler, 41, of St. Martinville, Louisiana, was sentenced today. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced him to 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking charges.  Butler pleaded guilty on May 20, 2022 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

On March 26, 2019, agents with the United States Postal Inspection Service intercepted a suspicious package which had been mailed from Arizona to an address in Lafayette, Louisiana. Agents deployed a canine trained in detecting narcotics who positively alerted on the seized package. A search warrant was obtained and later that day, agents conducted a controlled delivery of the package to the residence at the location specified by the sender. After the package was delivered, a female appeared and took possession of it. Agents were able to execute the search warrant and confirmed that the package contained approximately 1,858 grams of methamphetamine.

Further investigation by agents revealed that Butler had made two wire transfers to an individual in Arizona and had been tracking the package via the internet after it had been placed in the mail in Arizona. The female who took possession of the package admitted to agents that she had been dating Butler and he had packages sent to her residence. In addition, Butler sent a text message to the girlfriend that the package would be delivered to her residence that day. The seized substance was sent to the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory for analysis and the results confirmed that the substance was in fact methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Janola Massaquoi, 41, of Shreveport, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today before Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to making false statements to a federal agency.

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

According to evidence presented to the court, Massaquoi formed the Jane Elizabeth Education Group (JEEG) in 2018 and also served as the president of a beauty career training company. In 2020, Massaquoi applied to the SBA for an EIDL in the name of JEEG d/b/a Company 1 seeking approximately $500,000 in EIDL Program funds. At the same time, she applied for a PPP loan in the name of JEEG d/b/a Company 1 seeking $178,750.

On or about April 20, 2020, as part of the EIDL application process, Massaquoi electronically submitted to the SBA a Loan Authorization and Agreement in which she certified to the SBA that “[JEEG] will not, without the prior written consent of SBA, make any distribution of Borrower’s assets, or give any preferential treatment, make any advance, directly or indirectly, by way of loan, gift, bonus, or otherwise to any owner or partner…”  Massaquoi also certified that the loan funds would be used solely as working capital for JEEG.

Both loan applications were subsequently approved. Based on Massaquoi’s material misrepresentations set forth in the false Loan Authorization and Agreement, the SBA disbursed approximately $500,000 in EIDL benefits to a bank account held by Company 1. On April 23, 2020, approximately $178,750 in PPP loan benefits were disbursed to a bank account held by Company 1.

In reality and unbeknownst to the SBA, Massaquoi intended to make a large advance directly to herself and did not intend to use the EIDL funds solely as working capital for JEEG. After obtaining the loan benefits, Massaquoi transferred funds from Company 1’s bank account to other bank accounts she personally controlled and used the funds for a variety of personal expenses including a down payment on the purchase of a personal residence and mortgage payments. Massaquoi also withdrew over $30,000 in cash, transferred over $50,000 to friends and family members, and used approximately $83,000 to fund her personal investment and retirement accounts. In total, Massaquoi used $250,000 of the EIDL proceeds for her personal use. 

“This defendant took advantage of taxpayer dollars at one of the most vulnerable times in American history,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Over the last few years, small businesses have struggled to survive during the pandemic. Massaquoi exploited an opportunity given by the government to provide legitimate financial assistance to said businesses. Individuals who commit such fraud will be investigated and ultimately prosecuted. We will continue to work with our federal partners who have allocated their investigative resources toward combating this type of fraud.”

Massaquoi faces a sentence of not more than 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for January 11, 2023.

The case was investigated by the Department of Treasury-Inspector General for Tax Administration and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg.

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 of Justice’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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LAFAYETTE, La. - Lamar Malbrough, 31, of Rayne, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.

According to evidence presented to the court, on August 11, 2021, Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Malbrough as the result of an active state arrest warrant after conducting a traffic stop of the vehicle he was driving. Malbrough was found to have various amounts and types of drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana, as well as a firearm, in his possession at the time of his arrest. He has prior felony convictions for attempted possession of a firearm by a felon (2020); simple burglary (2009); and possession with intent to distribute cocaine (2008) and knew that as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. On April 20, 2022, Malbrough pleaded guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel. It 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. – Ryan Spencer George, 37, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. George was sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 108 months (9 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  George pleaded guilty on May 26, 2022 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On March 31, 2020, detectives with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force were assisting the Lake Charles Police Department and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle being driven by George. Subsequent to his arrest, law enforcement officers found multiple plastic bags containing at least 25 grams of methamphetamine, a small digital scale and a wallet containing various denominations of U.S. Currency inside the front pocket of his pants. George admitted to officers that the bags contained methamphetamine and that some of the money was gained from selling narcotics. While searching George’s vehicle, officers found a loaded SCCY 9mm pistol on the floorboard between the driver’s seat and the console.

Further investigation by law enforcement revealed that George had multiple prior felony convictions, including distribution of methamphetamine (2015) and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon (2018), prohibiting him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

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

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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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Michael C. Francis, 37, of Bossier City, Louisiana, has been sentenced in United States District Court. Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Francis to 188 months (15 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking charges. 

Beginning in March 2019, and continuing until on or about December 31, 2019, Francis and eight other defendants were involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy and pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing methamphetamine in the Caddo and Bossier Parish areas. Law enforcement officers began an investigation into their illegal drug trafficking activities and were able to obtain a court ordered wiretap on one of his co-defendants, Demetrius Deangelo Hall’s, cell phone. Through numerous intercepted communications, agents learned that Hall was communicating with Francis and others. Hall and Francis discussed providing each other with various amounts of methamphetamine on numerous occasions.

During the investigation, on October 21, 2019, law enforcement agents intercepted phone calls and text messages between Hall and his co-conspirators indicating that Hall was traveling to Texas to obtain more methamphetamine from co-defendant Steve Mireles. During these intercepted calls, Francis was heard discussing the price of methamphetamine for Francis’ part and that he would have to pay for the courier fee. On February 22, 2021, Francis pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute at least 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Greenwood Police Department, and Louisiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tennille Gilreath and Allison Duncan.  This effort is part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Shane Robinson, 28, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 180 months (15 years) in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, on child pornography charges. Robinson was indicted by a federal grand jury in Lafayette and charged with production of child pornography and pleaded guilty to the charge on May 26, 2022.

Robinson was identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as a person who may be possessing or distributing child pornography. Law enforcement agents obtained a search warrant and seized Robinson’s cell phone. On the cell phone, agents found sexually explicit images of a 4-year old child which Robinson had produced using the cell phone. In fact, Robinson can be seen in one of the sexually explicit images. Law enforcement agents questioned Robinson and he admitted to producing the images using his cell phone.  

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Luke Walker.

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

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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a Shreveport Police Department (SPD) officer has been indicted by a federal grand jury. The indictment, which was returned today, charges James Cisco, 51, of Shreveport, with six counts of wire fraud.

The indictment alleges that beginning on or about January 6, 2020, and continuing through on or about at least January 19, 2021, Cisco knowingly devised a scheme to defraud the City of Shreveport out of funds which were designated for overtime pay to SPD officers. It is alleged that Cisco claimed overtime for which he had not worked and received payments for unworked overtime.

It is alleged in the indictment that Cisco submitted falsified reports to the SPD stating he worked overtime hours for the SPD on the Community-Based Crime Reduction (CBCR) Grant and certified that he had worked the hours. It is further alleged in the indictment that on three of the dates Cisco submitted falsified reports, the SPD mobile device assigned to him was in the East Texas area during the same period he claimed to be working overtime in Shreveport for the SPD. The indictment also alleges that on five other occasions, Cisco submitted falsified reports claiming to have worked overtime, and records show that he was working at an off-duty job for another company at the same time. 

The Innovations in Community-Based Crime Reduction (CBCR) Program is administered by the Department of Justice and seeks to reduce crime and improve community safety in distressed, high-crime neighborhoods. As part of the program, CBCR awards grants to local and tribal communities to be used for overtime for police officers. The City of Shreveport received a CBCR award grant which was used in 2020 to pay for officers with the SPD to work overtime details and provided officers with 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for overtime hours worked.

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

If convicted, Cisco faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. 

This is an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice-Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg.

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MONROE, La. – Delon Scott, 34, of Hahnville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Scott was sentenced to 180 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug trafficking and possession of firearms charges.

Scott pleaded guilty May 17, 2022 to a Bill of Information charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to evidence presented to the court, Scott was stopped by a Mangham, Louisiana police officer on December 8, 2020 for speeding. During the course of the traffic stop, law enforcement officers developed probable cause to search the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, officers found methamphetamine, a pocket scale and Ziploc bags. In addition, the following four firearms were found underneath the hood of the vehicle: a Taurus 9mm pistol, a Glock 9mm pistol, a FEG PA-63 9x18mm pistol, and a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380 pistol.

The seized narcotics were sent to the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory for analysis and their testing confirmed that the amount of pure methamphetamine exceeded 50 grams.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and Mangham Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Kentrell Laday, 20, of Carencro, Louisiana was sentenced today for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced Laday to 100 months (12 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Laday was charged in an indictment in July 2021 with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and pleaded guilty to the charge on March 8, 2022. According to information presented to the court, law enforcement officers observed Laday and a known associate of his exit a vehicle parked at a residence in Lafayette, Louisiana. Officers detained Laday and advised him of his Miranda rights. Officers looked inside the vehicle that had been occupied by Laday to ensure no other occupants were in the vehicle and observed a firearm along with a small cellophane bag containing marijuana on the driver’s seat of the vehicle in plain view. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and officers seized a loaded Springfield XD-9 handgun with 17 rounds of ammunition. Laday admitted that the marijuana and firearm belonged to him.

On June 8, 2021, Laday pled guilty to domestic abuse battery in Lafayette, Louisiana and because of this conviction, was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Lafayette Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker.

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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SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that five defendants who were indicted as a result of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) “Operation Lost and Found” have been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for their involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy.

Timothy Ryan Melton, 31, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Billy Bryan Feroben, 33, of Cabot, Arkansas, was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Brent Demonde Smith, Jr., 36, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Serina Khan, 24, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Khan pleaded guilty March 4, 2022 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Robert J. Merritt, 39, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

In July 2020, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into drug trafficking activities in the Cedar Grove area after receiving information that their co-defendant, Demetrius Loston, was distributing large amounts of methamphetamine in the Shreveport area. This OCDETF investigation resulted in federal indictments against nine defendants for conspiring together to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

During their investigation, agents were able to intercept multiple phone calls between Loston, Merritt, Smith and Khan, wherein they communicated at different times about buying and selling methamphetamine. Law enforcement agents conducted surveillance and observed both Smith and Khan meet Loston on more than one occasion at a pre-determined location and either pick up, drop off, or exchange methamphetamine for money.

Law enforcement agents were able to establish that Merritt was a source of supply of methamphetamine through the interception of phone calls. Agents monitored a meeting between Merritt and Loston and obtained video surveillance from Loston’s residence showing Merritt walking a shoe box from his vehicle into the carport of the residence. This evidence was consistent with the intercepted phone calls between the two defendants. Merritt was arrested shortly after that meeting.

Billy Bryan Feroben was also involved in the purchase of methamphetamine from Loston and would then sell and distribute to others for profit. A search warrant was executed at a residence in Shreveport in August 2020 and agents made contact with Feroben at that time. In the trunk of his car, agents found over 200 gross grams of methamphetamine and firearms. Feroben admitted to agents that he would meet Loston at a gas station to purchase the methamphetamine for distribution.

On August 24, 2020, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation.  The deputy approached the vehicle and the driver, Timothy Ryan Melton, could only provide an identification card. Deputies asked Melton to exit the vehicle and conducted a pat down search and were given permission to search the vehicle. Deputies seized a large amount of cash and methamphetamine from the center console. The methamphetamine was packaged for street level distribution. Melton admitted that the drugs were his and that he had been working with Loston to purchase the methamphetamine for distribution to others for profit.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, ATF, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

This effort is part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Furmon Earl Bozeman, 61, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to 19 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for transportation of destructive devices in violation of the National Firearms Act.

According to evidence presented to the court, during the night of January 10, 2022, Bozeman drove from his residence in Gulf Shores, Alabama to Nabors Offshore Corporation (Nabors) in New Iberia, Louisiana. Upon arrival at Nabors, Bozeman placed and detonated at least three pipe bombs at various sites on the Nabors’ property. The bombs were placed at the Nabors signage located near Admiral Doyle Drive, at the main entrance to Nabors’ human resource offices, and at the Nabors signage located directly outside of the front door of the Nabors’ main building. The pipe bombs that he used contained double based smokeless powder inside of galvanized steel pipes and endcaps. These three devices met the definition of destructive devices, commonly referred to as pipe bombs.

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant at Bozeman’s residence on January 12, 2022 and found in his home additional bomb making materials, a book titled, Flash Powder Cookbook, as well as several rounds of ammunition, firearms and Hogdon smokeless powder.  Bozeman admitted to transportation of the bombs from his home in Alabama to Louisiana.

The case was investigated by the ATF, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, and Chitimacha Police K9 Unit, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel.

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