Marvis Mason, Cocaine Trafficking, Louisiana 2023

St. Martinville Residents Sentenced to Federal Prison for Cocaine Trafficking

LAFAYETTE, La. – Five men from the St. Martinville area have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a cocaine trafficking ring.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, the men were involved in the trafficking of cocaine and cocaine base in the St. Martinville area. Marvis Mason, 41, of St. Martinville, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Kendrell Jones, 43, of New Iberia, was sentenced to 48 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Marcus Bourda, 44, of St. Martinville, was sentenced to 48 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Dennis Benoit, 44, of St. Martinville, was sentenced to 33 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Codie James, 43, of St. Martinville, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

The investigation into the cocaine trafficking ring began in late 2019, with agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office working together to identify the distributors and suppliers of cocaine and cocaine base.

During the investigation, agents were able to intercept communications between the distributors and suppliers, including Kendrell Jones, Dennis Benoit, and Marvis Mason. They also determined that Marcus Bourda and Codie James assisted in the distribution of cocaine.

U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown praised the work of law enforcement agents in the Western District of Louisiana, saying ‘This case has resulted in the arrest and conviction of numerous individuals who chose to illegally possess and distribute controlled substances and contribute to the corruption in this area.’

Other defendants in the case include Darrall Johnson, 29, of New Iberia, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 29, 2023. Joshua Bourda, 38, of St. Martinville, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on April 3, 2023. Brandon K. Fontnett, 39, of Lafayette, was sentenced to 151 months in prison on April 3, 2023.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

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