Louisiana Couple Sentenced For Trafficking Drugs Through East Texas
BEAUMONT, Texas - A Leesville, LA, couple have been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Lola Michelle Jackson, 38, and her husband, John Earl Jackson, 42, pleaded guilty in March 2017 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Lola Jackson was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone while John Earl Jackson was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison.
According to information presented in court, in 2016, law enforcement officers in Vernon Parish Louisiana began investigating the Jacksons for distributing methamphetamine in that area. It was determined the Jacksons were receiving the drugs from the Houston area so the investigation was expanded into Texas. On Mar. 18, 2016, law enforcement officers received information that another couple was in Houston to pick up methamphetamine and would be traveling back to Leesville with a kilogram of the drugs. The vehicle carrying the drugs was located in Hardin County Texas where it was stopped for a traffic violation. Officers received consent to search the vehicle and discovered a cardboard box containing approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine. The occupants of the vehicle admitted that they were transporting the methamphetamine to Louisiana for delivery to the Jacksons. Additionally, it was determined the Jacksons distributed methamphetamine from their residence on at least four separate occasions in May-June of 2016. A search warrant was executed at the residence on June 29, 2016 and officers seized an additional 72.8 grams of methamphetamine. The Jacksons were indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 2, 2016 and charged with drug trafficking violations.
This case was investigated by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Louisiana State Police, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, and Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Englade.
