Casey Soldier, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Louisiana 2023

LAKE CHARLES, LA – A trio of Louisiana men are headed to federal prison after separate investigations by federal and local authorities uncovered a cache of illegal firearms, massive quantities of drugs, and a significant amount of cash. The cases, resolved in the Lake Charles Division of the Western District of Louisiana, highlight the ongoing battle against illegal weapons and narcotics flooding the region.

Casey Soldier, 27, of Lake Charles, received the harshest sentence: 70 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Soldier was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A search warrant executed at his residence revealed a disturbing arsenal – 16 firearms, 3,350 rounds of ammunition, and a dual drum magazine. But the weapons weren’t the only contraband found. Authorities also seized approximately 53 pounds of marijuana, 171 pounds of THC candy and edibles, 3.9 pounds of THC wax and oils, and a staggering $25,284 in cash. An additional Glock 17, 9mm pistol was discovered in his truck. Soldier admitted to knowing he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his prior felony conviction. He pleaded guilty on May 22, 2023.

In a separate case, Dexter Oniel Mayes, 36, of Eunice, was sentenced to 140 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The bust originated from a traffic stop on May 18, 2019, when officers noticed Mayes’ vehicle had switched plates while traveling from Houston to Louisiana. A search revealed 12 ziploc bags containing roughly 25 pounds of methamphetamine in the trunk. Lab analysis confirmed the substance weighed 11,867 grams. Mayes pleaded guilty on May 9, 2023.

Rounding out the three convictions, Harris J. Boudreaux, 43, received a 27-month prison sentence, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. A routine probation visit on November 27, 2022, led to the discovery of a Glock 45 firearm in plain view on his coffee table. Boudreaux admitted the firearm belonged to him, knowing his felony conviction barred him from ownership. He pleaded guilty on June 21, 2023.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation in the Soldier and Boudreaux cases, with assistance from local law enforcement. The Mayes investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Eunice Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Vermaelen, Jamilla A. Bynog, handled the prosecutions.

These convictions serve as a stark reminder that federal agencies are actively working to dismantle criminal networks and remove dangerous weapons and drugs from the streets of Louisiana. The substantial sentences handed down by Judge James D. Cain, Jr. underscore the seriousness of these offenses and the commitment to holding offenders accountable. The flow of illegal firearms and narcotics continues to plague communities across the country, and these cases represent only a small fraction of the ongoing struggle to curb the violence and addiction they fuel.

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