U.S. Attorney’s Office indicts 14 for Acadiana methamphetamine distribution conspiracy

LAFAYETTE – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a federal grand jury indicted 14 people in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in Lafayette, New Iberia and the surrounding areas.
Those named in the 20-count indictment are:
Gary Hunt, 58, of Spendora, Texas
Elliot Jolet, 34, of New Iberia, La.
Anita Desormeaux, 42, of New Iberia
Ko Chanhkongshinh, 37, of Youngsville, La.
Jenee Lynn Hargrave, 29, of Scott, La.
David Lowery, 32, of New Iberia
Everette Dupuis, 39, of New Iberia
Michael Guidry, 44, of Erath
Tyrone Howard, 42, of Youngsville
Kevin Jefferson, 31, of New Iberia
Nared Souphannavong, 29, of New Iberia
Brandi Boullion, 27, of New Iberia
Dewey Migues, 35, of New Iberia
Corey Freyou, 37, of New Iberia
According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in New Iberia, Lafayette, and the surrounding areas. Jolet and Desormeaux purchased methamphetamine from Hunt in Texas and other sources and then transported it to the South Central Louisiana area. It was then sold or distributed in reduced quantities among the other conspirators. The investigation also resulted in the seizure of crystal methamphetamine, more than $5,400, a vehicle, and several firearms. Of the defendants, 12 have been arrested. Dupuis and Hargrave still remain at large. If you have information on the location of the defendants who are still at large, please call the DEA at 337-706-3940 or the U.S. Marshal’s Service at 337-262-6666.
The defendants face various possible penalties depending on the drug quantity involved and their drug histories. Some defendants face up to 20 years in prison, and some face up to life in prison, and up to 10 years of supervised release, for the conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine count. The defendants also face up to 40 years in prison, and some up to life, and up to eight years of supervised release, for the distribution of methamphetamine count; they face up to eight years in prison and up to three years of supervised release for the use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating a drug trafficking crime count; and defendant Migues faces up to 10 years in prison and up to three years of supervised release for the possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon count. They also face a fine of up to $20 million and forfeiture of the money and property seized in the case.
The defendants were arrested as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation. The DEA, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Lafayette Police Department participated in this OCDETF investigation. The U.S. Marshal’s Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Lafayette City Marshal’s Office assisted in the arrests. The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie, Daniel J. McCoy and Robert F. Moore are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.