Lafayette Man Sentenced to 13+ Years for Massive Meth Haul

LAFAYETTE, La. – A massive methamphetamine bust in Lafayette has landed a local man a 13-year federal prison sentence. Forrest Kevin Dwayne Matthews, 39, of Lafayette, was sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 160 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release.

The sentence was handed down on December 7, 2023, after Matthews pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The charges stem from a June 2, 2022, raid on Matthews’ residence, where detectives with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Intelligence Unit assisted the New Orleans Police Department in locating him in connection with an armed robbery investigation.

During the raid, officers found and seized approximately 1,756 grams of methamphetamine, a Harrington & Richardson .22 caliber revolver, 4 grams of heroin, 4 grams of crack cocaine, a digital scale and measuring cups located in a black duffle bag and a backpack. Additionally, officers discovered 6 grams of marijuana in the kitchen drawer and a Taurus 9mm handgun in the master bedroom closet.

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.

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.

Matthews’ sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of methamphetamine trafficking in Louisiana. The state has struggled with a growing methamphetamine problem in recent years, and law enforcement officials are working tirelessly to combat the issue.