Lafayette Man Cops 13+ Years for 1,756 Grams of Meth

A Lafayette man has been slapped with a hefty federal prison sentence after being caught with a massive stash of methamphetamine. Forrest Kevin Dwayne Matthews, 39, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced to 160 months (13 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The bust went down on June 2, 2022, when detectives with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Intelligence Unit assisted the New Orleans Police Department in locating Matthews in connection with an armed robbery investigation. A search warrant was obtained for Matthews’ residence, and officers found and seized the massive stash of methamphetamine, along with a Harrington & Richardson .22 caliber revolver, 4 grams of heroin, 4 grams of crack cocaine, a digital scale and measuring cups, and a Taurus 9mm handgun.

Matthews admitted to law enforcement officers that the items found and seized belonged to him. The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory for testing and was verified to be methamphetamine with a combined net weight of 1,696 grams.

Matthews pleaded guilty to the charge on December 7, 2023. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

The sentence is a stark reminder of the harsh consequences of drug trafficking. As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country, law enforcement is cracking down on those who peddle these deadly substances.

Matthews’ case is a prime example of the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies. The joint effort between the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and the New Orleans Police Department led to the successful apprehension of a major player in the methamphetamine trade.

The case also highlights the critical role that forensic science plays in bringing perpetrators to justice. The testing of the suspected methamphetamine at the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory provided critical evidence that helped secure Matthews’ conviction.

In a statement, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown commended the law enforcement agencies involved in the case. ‘This sentence serves as a reminder that we will not tolerate the distribution of methamphetamine in our communities,’ Brown said.