United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JAMAR HOWARD (“HOWARD”), age 38, and CHARENYIA CARMOUCHE (“CARMOUCHE”), age 31 of Slidell, were charged in a recently unsealed twelve-count indictment on May 30, 2025 with conspiracy to commit offenses, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, False Statement in Loan Application, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1014, Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1957, and Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Carfentanil, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846.

According to the indictment, HOWARD and CARMOUCHE submitted loan applications to various lenders and other entities between 2023 and 2024.  In support of the loan applications, HOWARD and CARMOUCHE submitted false tax documents.  HOWARD submitted altered bank statements in support of loan applications in his name and in the name of his business, Marathon Expedited Trucking.  Once HOWARD and CARMOUCHE obtained approval of the loan applications, the funds from various financial institutions were deposited into bank accounts held by HOWARD and CARMOUCHE.  HOWARD and CARMOUCHE used the loan proceeds for their personal use and enrichment.

In addition, CARMOUCHE did knowingly engage and attempt to engage in monetary transactions in criminally derived property of a value greater than $10,000, such property having been derived from a specified unlawful activity.

Finally, according to court records, beginning on a date unknown, but at least by March 26, 2024, and continuing until the date of the indictment, in the Eastern District of Louisiana and elsewhere, HOWARD knowingly and intentionally conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of carfentanil, a Schedule II controlled substance and fentanyl analogue.

If convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Offenses, HOWARD and CARMOUCHE face a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  If convicted of Wire Fraud, HOWARD faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. If convicted of False Statement in Loan Application, HOWARD and CARMOUCHE face a maximum term of imprisonment of thirty years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  If convicted of Money Laundering, CARMOUCHE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  If convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute carfentanil, HOWARD faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and up to a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

The defendants also face payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each count.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Briana Williams of the Narcotics Unit.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).