LAFAYETTE, La. – A pair of South Louisiana men are headed to federal prison after separate convictions stemming from drug trafficking and counterfeiting operations. The sentences, handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert R. Summerhays, reflect a continued crackdown on illicit activity in the region, according to federal prosecutors.
Deondrick W. Brown, 26, of New Iberia, Louisiana, will spend the next 120 months behind bars, followed by five years of supervised release. Brown was busted after a routine traffic stop on June 12, 2020, turned up a significant stash of narcotics. Louisiana State Police Troopers, aided by a K-9 unit, detected the odor of marijuana and subsequently searched the vehicle. What they found wasn’t weed – it was 6.5 kilograms of pills initially suspected to be ecstasy.
DEA lab analysis revealed the true nature of the haul: a staggering 46,089 individual pills/tablets containing methamphetamine. Brown was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He later pleaded guilty on June 30, 2021, accepting responsibility for the massive drug shipment. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Louisiana State Police jointly investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker leading the prosecution.
In a separate case, Jordan Leon Huntsberry, 30, of Abbeville, Louisiana, received a 24-month prison sentence, also followed by three years of supervised release. Huntsberry’s downfall began on July 25, 2020, when Lafayette Police Department officers were investigating a possible firearm-related crime. A knock on Huntsberry’s door led to the discovery of wet Federal Reserve Notes in plain view, immediately raising red flags. A subsequent search warrant uncovered 467 suspected counterfeit bills of various denominations, some cut and ready for circulation, others still on printed sheets.
Officers also seized a printer, laptop computer, and other equipment clearly used in the counterfeiting operation. The U.S. Secret Service confirmed the bills were, in fact, counterfeit. This case was a joint effort between the U.S. Secret Service and the Lafayette Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon handling the prosecution. The investigation demonstrates the agency’s commitment to protecting the integrity of U.S. currency.
Both cases underscore the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking and financial crimes in South Louisiana. While the sentences provide a measure of justice, they also serve as a warning to others involved in similar activities: federal authorities are actively investigating and prosecuting these offenses, and the consequences are severe. The Grimy Times will continue to follow these cases and report on any further developments.
Related Federal Cases
- Laquentin Brown, Sex Trafficking Conspiracy, New Orleans LA, 2023 · Tennessee
- Chad Piazza Admits Meth Trafficking Conspiracy, Beaumont TX, 2014 · New Mexico
- Heath Meshell, Meth Trafficking, LA 2024 · Georgia
- Mehmood Patel, Healthcare Fraud, Lafayette LA, 2023 · Texas
- Austin, Cocaine and Gun Trafficking, Marrero LA, 2023 · Georgia
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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