United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW ORLEANS – Today, U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle, along with the federal, state and local participating agencies comprising the Homeland Security Task Force – New Orleans (“HSTF”), announced the successful conclusion of a nearly four-year, extensive multi-agency narcotics investigation that dismantled multiple drug trafficking organizations operating throughout the Bayou Region. This investigation led to numerous federal indictments, state arrests, substantial prison sentences, as well as the seizure of significant quantities of illegal narcotics, firearms, and criminal assets.

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and supported by several federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. A Thibodaux Police Department Narcotics Agent, assigned to the DEA Task Force as a Task Force Officer within the Eastern District of Louisiana Financial Investigations Unit, led the investigation.

As a result of the exhaustive investigative work, intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, financial investigations, and inter-agency coordination, investigators identified and targeted individuals who were distributing dangerous narcotics throughout Thibodaux, Louisiana, Lafourche Parish, and the surrounding communities.

“Today’s Homeland Security Task Force operation announcements are, at their core, about one thing …protecting our communities from the very real threat of violence posed by drug trafficking organizations,” said U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. “Our shared mission today has remained constant; to enforce the laws of the land and to protect the public that we are proud to serve.”

As a result of this investigation, 20 individuals were federally indicted for narcotics, firearms, conspiracy, and related offenses. Additionally, 18 other individuals were arrested and prosecuted through state court proceedings.

Collectively, the defendants prosecuted, both federally and by the state, have received sentences totaling more than 300 years of imprisonment. And, several defendants are still awaiting final sentencing or adjudication. Additional prison terms may be imposed as the remaining cases proceed through the judicial process.

Specifically, this investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately:

• 46,909.33 grams of crystal methamphetamine (more than 100 pounds)
• 178.6 grams of heroin/fentanyl
• 1,414.1 grams of cocaine (more than 3 pounds)
• 3,044.1 grams of marijuana (more than 6.5 pounds)
• More than $190,000 in seized assets
• Eleven firearms, including eight pistols and three rifles

“This investigation began on the ground with our local police officers and deputies, and as the network unraveled, we expanded it into a full Homeland Security Task Force operation,” said Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Orleans Field Division. “There is often a misconception that federal resources are reserved only for major metropolitan areas. This case proves otherwise. The full weight and reach of the federal government extends directly into our rural communities and parish neighborhoods. Through the HSTF, we brought every federal, state, and local tool to bear – not just to make arrests, but to build rock-solid cases that resulted in real, long-term prosecutions.”

“This investigation was not simply about removing drugs from our streets,” said Chief Zeringue. “It was about identifying and dismantling the individuals and organizations responsible for supplying and distributing these dangerous narcotics throughout our region. Every arrest made, every firearm seized, every dollar taken away from illegal drug trafficking, and every major distributor removed from operation, represents a safer community for the citizens of Thibodaux and the Bayou Region. The success of this investigation is a direct reflection of the cooperation, professionalism, and commitment shared by our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. No single agency can effectively combat large-scale narcotics trafficking alone. These cases require teamwork, shared intelligence, persistence, and the ability to work together toward one common goal: making our communities safer.”

“This investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies at every level unite to achieve a goal,” said Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre. “By working together, we have not only removed dangerous drugs and firearms from our streets but also disrupted criminal organizations that threaten the safety and well-being of our communities. I commend the dedication and perseverance of every agency involved, and I want the people of Lafourche Parish to know that we will remain relentless in our efforts to combat drug trafficking and keep our communities safe.”

“Dangerous drugs destroy lives, tear families apart, and threaten the safety of our communities,” said Colonel Frank Besson, Louisiana State Police Superintendent. “Through strong law enforcement partnerships, Louisiana State Police remains committed to dismantling organized criminal networks across Louisiana, from our largest cities to our smallest towns. Those who profit from trafficking dangerous drugs should understand that no matter where they operate, we will continue working alongside our partners to bring them to justice.”

“I would like to thank all of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners,” said Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Timothy Soignet. “It genuinely takes a team of professionals to achieve public safety for all citizens.”
 

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
• Drug Enforcement Administration (Lead Agency)
• Thibodaux Police Department
• Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office
• Louisiana State Police
• Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office
• St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
• Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
• Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office
 

FEDERAL DEFENDANTS (20)

Delvin Edmond a/k/a "Maman" – Convicted of methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking offenses. Sentenced to 262 months in prison.

John Paul Gage Jr. a/k/a "JP" and "Pistol" – Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine and illegal use of a communication facility. Sentenced to 262 months in prison.

Lionel Antoine Duncan a/k/a "Headbaby" – Convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine and use of a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking. Sentenced to 180 months

Percy Howard – Convicted of methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentenced to 160 months in prison.

Faustin Williams – Convicted of cocaine trafficking and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Sentenced to 151 months in prison.

Andre Lee a/k/a "Dre" – Convicted of methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy and distribution offenses. Sentenced to 151 months in prison.

Leroy Otero – Convicted of methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. Sentenced to 135 months in prison.

Khillun Cheatham – Convicted of methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and use of a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking. Sentenced to 120 months in prison.

Torrez Drane – Convicted of methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. Sentenced to 120 months in prison.

Roy Robinson – Charged with methamphetamine trafficking offenses, conspiracy, and firearms violations. Sentenced to 108 months in prison.

Yolanda Tillman a/k/a "Londa" – Convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Sentenced to 108 months in prison.

Justin Heims – Convicted of methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy and distribution offenses. Sentenced to 97 months in prison.

Linez Green a/k/a "Six-Shot" – Convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, methamphetamine distribution, and illegal use of a communication facility. Sentenced to 66 months in prison.

Michael Lewis a/k/a "Black Mike" – Charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Sentenced to 48 months in prison.

Rydelle Rounds – Convicted of cocaine trafficking conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Sentenced to 24 months in prison.

James Williams a/k/a "Poo" – Convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Anjhaelyn Haynes – Convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Tammy Thompson – Convicted of Misprision of a Felony. Sentenced to supervised probation.

Earl Henry Jr. a/k/a "EJ" and "Swagg" – Charged with methamphetamine trafficking offenses, firearms offenses, and conspiracy. Awaiting sentencing.

Emmanuel Gomez-Mayorga - Indicted on October 9, 2026. Charged with Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.

In Louisiana State Court, 18 additional defendants have been prosecuted as result of this operation in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.

These matters were investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Thibodaux Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office. The defendants were prosecuted by AUSA Stuart Theriot of the Violent Crime Unit, AUSA Briana Williams of the Narcotics Unit, and AUSA Senior Litigation Counsel, Maurice E. Landrieu. The state cases were prosecuted by the Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Offices.

These cases were brought pursuant to the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New Orleans comprises agents and officers from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Investigative Service. State and local agencies include the Louisiana State Police, Thibodaux Police Department, Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###