Ponchatoula Man Guilty Violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act
NEW ORLEANS, LA – ROBERT HINES (“HINES”), age 47 of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, plead guilty on May 28, 2026, to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act before United States District Judge Barry Ashe, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
HINES pleaded guilty to Counts 1, 3, and 4 of a superseding indictment. Count One of the superseding indictment charged him with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, over 40 grams of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846. Count Three charged him with knowingly using a telephone in committing the commission of a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 843(b) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. Count Four charged him with possession with intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).
For Counts 1 and 4, HINES faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment. For Count 3, HINES faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least 3 years supervised release following imprisonment. For each count, HINES
also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court records, HINES conspired with co-defendants to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl in the Eastern District of Louisiana. An investigation revealed that, HINES discussed ordering fentanyl from his suppliers on multiple occasions. After observing HINES meet with his supplier, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of HINES and observed HINES throw fentanyl pills out of his car window. Law enforcement recovered the pills, and they tested positive for 341 grams of fentanyl.
United States Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachal Cassagne and Lauren Sarver 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 protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
