United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BATON ROUGE, La. - After a two-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge John W. deGravelles, a federal jury unanimously convicted John I. Davis, age 47, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall. 

As the evidence at trial demonstrated, between March 1, 2021, and continuing until on or about April 23, 2021, Davis and his girlfriend, Madelyn Payne, repeatedly distributed large amounts of heroin to their customers in busy parking lots at shopping centers and fast-food restaurants in East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes. Deputies also seized over 300 grams of heroin and over $40,000 hidden in a wall at the residence they shared. Deputies were also able to recover and seize multiple firearms from Davis during their investigation.

Davis was previously convicted on September 10, 2009, in the Middle District of Louisiana for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. 

As a result of his convictions, Davis now faces a sentence in federal prison of no less than ten years and up to life imprisonment, as well as significant fines, restitution, and supervised release. 

U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Task Force, and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. Criminal Chief Will Morris and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth White led the prosecution.