United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MONROE, La. – An Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) case in Monroe has resulted in the convictions and sentencings of six defendants to nearly 100 years (1,200 months) in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the six defendants as follows:

Laneython T. Ignont, 29, of Monroe, was sentenced to 360 months (30 years) in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms during a drug trafficking offense.

Jamichael D. Ignont, 29, of Monroe, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.

Donterrian M. Lavender, 31, was sentenced to 210 months (17 ½ years) in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Jamarcus G. Jackson, 31, was sentenced to 180 months (15 years) in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Shawn M. Stansbury, 51, was sentenced to 100 months (8 years, 4 months) in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. 

Beginning in 2021, narcotics agents learned that Laneython Ignont, a.k.a. “Bandz,” was leading a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing kilogram quantities of methamphetamine in the Monroe area. In 2022, agents were granted wiretaps to intercept and record phone calls and text messages made to and from Laneython Ignont’s cell phone. These wiretapped conversations showed Laneython Ignont and his co-defendants discussing and coordinating drug transactions. For example, using this wiretap information, on December 7, 2022, agents stopped Laneython Ignont and Donterrian Lavender as they were attempting to fly from the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (“DFW”) to Los Angeles International Airport to buy drugs. Agents seized from inside one of their suitcases more than $53,000 cash. 

On December 13, 2022, and February 28, 2023, agents executed search warrants on multiple Monroe area homes associated with the co-defendants in this case. In total, agents seized approximately 25 pounds of pure methamphetamine, 7 pounds of heroin, and 9 guns from these homes. In particular, agents seized from Laneython Ignont’s home, where he was arrested, approximately 20 pounds of pure methamphetamine, approximately 5 pounds of heroin, 2 semiautomatic handguns, and 2 cars used to traffic drugs. In a separate home, agents located Laneython Ignont’s hidden safe which contained more than $10,000 cash and approximately $262,000 worth of jewelry, including gold and silver necklaces with diamond pendants in the shape of “Hella Bandz” and “HB.” 

Another defendant, Joshua Bosley, 36, of Monroe, was indicted separately but also in connection with this OCDETF investigation. He was charged and pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 110 months (9 years, 2 months) in prison. 

“The boldness displayed by these defendants in their determination to distribute dangerous narcotics such as heroin and methamphetamine in the southern Monroe area was astounding,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “They were brazen enough to attempt to smuggle these drugs through their luggage at the airports in Los Angeles and Dallas but were not successful. The result of this OCDETF investigation is the product of cooperation between many law enforcement agencies, both in Monroe and Dallas. These convictions should send a message to other drug traffickers that this office and the law enforcement agents in the Western District of Louisiana will exude great patience in the pursuit of justice and keeping our communities safe.” 

This case was investigated by members of the DEA, FBI, ATF, HSI, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, Monroe Police Department, Louisiana State Police, and the DFW Airport Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Shannon.

The investigation and conviction of these defendants is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.