Shreveport Defendants Sentenced to 59 Years in Federal Prison
In Shreveport, Louisiana, ten defendants have been sentenced to a total of 59 years in federal prison for their involvement in a variety of crimes, including trafficking cocaine and crack cocaine, laundering money, and stealing government funds. The sentences were handed down on Monday after a lengthy investigation by law enforcement.
Details of the Sentences
U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote oversaw the sentencing of the following defendants:
- Anthony Deon Pouncy, 45, from Houston, Texas: 16 years and 5 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.
- Kavin Dewayne Steadman, 42, from Bossier City: 19 years and 5 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, as well as wire fraud.
- Roderick Agnes, 43, from Shreveport: 9 years and 3 months for possession of firearms in connection with drug trafficking.
- Reginald Cordale Pea, 38, from Bossier City: 5 years and 4 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.
- Demetrius Demontrae Richmond, 25, from Bossier City: 4 years and 4 months for conspiracy to distribute.
- Jamaal Dejuan Hill, 39, from Shreveport: 2 years and 6 months for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute.
- Stacey Michell Armstrong, 54, from Shreveport: 1 year and 5 months for conspiracy to distribute.
- Evin Andrew Page, 27, from Plain Dealing: 7 months for conspiracy to distribute.
- Brandi Nicole Dorsey, 46, from Houston, Texas: 2 years of probation for misprision of a felony.
- Natalie Lane, 43, from Katy, Texas: 1 year of probation for making false statements to the court.
Investigation Highlights
The cases stem from an investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) that began in 2020. Law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), worked together to reveal the drug trafficking networks operating in Shreveport and surrounding areas.
Evidence gathered during the investigation indicated that between January 2020 and May 2022, Pouncy arranged for transporting large quantities of cocaine from Houston into Western Louisiana. Records show that he and Steadman trafficked over 17 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $600,000.
Law enforcement intercepted communications among the defendants discussing drug transactions. Furthermore, financial investigations uncovered that Steadman had made over $40,000 in cash deposits while reporting no income on his tax returns. He also fraudulently applied for a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan, claiming he operated a cattle business.
Criminal Activities and Prosecutions
Richmond, Armstrong, and Page admitted to sourcing their drugs from Pea and Hill. During a search warrant execution, Agnes was found with drugs, cash, and firearms, which further reinforced the drug trafficking charges against him.
Dorsey and Lane were charged with lesser offenses related to their knowledge of the criminal activities and providing false testimony in court respectively.
Justice Department’s Response
U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown commented on the case, saying, “This investigation underscores the priorities of the Department of Justice, which are to combat high-level drug trafficking, money laundering, and the abuse of government funds.” He emphasized that the federal government’s efforts to crack down on drug distribution will continue, seeking lengthy sentences for those involved in such criminal networks.
This operation is a reminder that law enforcement agencies are committed to tackling the issues of drug trafficking and violent crime in the region.
