MONROE, La. – Howard Demartae Jackson, 27, of Ruston, Louisiana, is headed to federal prison for over fourteen years after a routine traffic stop exposed a cache of drugs and an illegally possessed handgun. U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Jackson to 170 months, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The case unfolded on May 25, 2022, when a Ruston Police officer spotted Jackson riding in a vehicle near a gas station. A check of the license plate revealed the driver had a suspended license, leading to a traffic stop. The officer quickly detected the unmistakable odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A search turned up a loaded Smith & Wesson 40 caliber pistol in a shoulder bag carried by Jackson, alongside a disturbing mix of narcotics.
Investigators discovered Jackson possessed methamphetamine, marijuana, oxycodone, alprazolam, and MDMA, along with plastic baggies and a digital scale – all the tools of a street-level drug dealer. The firearm itself, traced by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), had crossed state lines, originating in Massachusetts and placing it under federal jurisdiction. This wasn’t a first offense; Jackson already had felony convictions for possessing with intent to distribute Schedule II and III controlled substances from 2020.
Knowing he was legally prohibited from owning any firearm or ammunition due to his prior convictions, Jackson continued to carry the loaded weapon while actively engaged in drug trafficking. The evidence presented to the court painted a clear picture of a repeat offender willing to risk further legal consequences to continue his criminal activities. Jackson ultimately pleaded guilty to the charges on November 28, 2022, accepting responsibility for his actions.
The investigation was a coordinated effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the ATF, and the Ruston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case, securing a lengthy sentence that reflects the severity of the crimes. The 170-month term sends a message that illegally possessing firearms while engaged in drug trafficking will not be tolerated in the Western District of Louisiana.
Federal authorities continue to prioritize cases involving illegal firearms and drug trafficking, particularly those that involve repeat offenders. The ATF’s New Orleans Field Division played a key role in tracing the weapon and building the case against Jackson. This conviction underscores the importance of interagency cooperation in combating crime and keeping dangerous individuals off the streets.
Related Federal Cases
- Hugo Hernandez-Velazquez, Sex Trafficking, New York 2024 · Florida
- Mark Lopilato, Online Steroid Trafficking, Texas 2023 · Ohio
- Marlene Barkheimer, FDIC Advisory Committee Appointment, Washington… · Nevada
- Letitia James Demands Senate KOSA, New York NY, 2024 · Illinois
- Live Nation, Antitrust Lawsuit, New York NY, 2024 · Nevada
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News