Two Men Found Guilty by Federal Jury on Drug Trafficking Charges in Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation Case
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Jaworski Batton, 41, and Cody Gibson, 40, both of Heflin, Louisiana, have been found guilty by a federal jury in Shreveport of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the trial.
According to information presented in court, Batton and Gibson were both involved in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Both defendants conspired with their co-defendant, Demetric Carey. Testimony at trial revealed that agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) began an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation into suspected drug trafficking in the Webster Parish area. During their investigation, agents were able to obtain a court order to intercept communications on Carey’s cell phone. After receiving information through communications intercepted on Carey’s phone between he and Batton, agents conducted surveillance of Batton at a retail store in Bossier City as he was on his way to obtain the suspected narcotics. A Trooper with the Louisiana State Police conducted a traffic stop of Batton’s vehicle and found marijuana and methamphetamine in a backpack inside his vehicle.
Agents were also able to intercept communications between Gibson and Carey as they discussed meeting at a location in Minden to conduct a drug transaction. A deputy with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted surveillance of that meeting between Gibson and Carey and obtained video evidence of them exchanging money for the methamphetamine. There were several other intercepted communications that occurred over a period of several months between these two defendants where Carey sold Gibson distribution amounts of methamphetamine.
Batton and Gibson each face a sentence of not less than 5 years or more than 40 years in prison, and a fine of up to $5,000,000, or both. Sentencing for Batton and Gibson has been set for July 15, 2025.
Ten other defendants were also charged in connection with this OCDETF case and have all pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Those defendants are: Demetric Carey, Derrick Carey, Antario Hawk, Eugene Henderson, Damien Rasco, Dana Ray, Holly Reynolds, Corey Russell, Lloyd Smith, and Norell Washington.
The case was investigated by the DEA, Louisiana State Police, and Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and William C. Gaskins.
The investigation and conviction of these defendants is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (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.
