Last Of 14 Defendants In Acadiana Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy Sentenced

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Texas man was sentenced to 120 months in prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in Lafayette, New Iberia and the surrounding areas.

Gary Hunt, 60, of Splendora, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the February 5, 2016 guilty plea, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in New Iberia, Lafayette and the surrounding areas. Elliot Jolet, 36, and Anita Desormeaux, 44, both of New Iberia, purchased methamphetamine from Hunt in Texas and then transported it to the south central Louisiana area where it was distributed. The investigation also resulted in the seizure of crystal methamphetamine, more than $5,400, a vehicle and several firearms.

Jolet was sentenced on December 8, 2015 to 180 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Desormeaux was sentenced on November 24, 2015 to 157 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

The other 11 defendants who also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count are:

Ko Chanhkongshinh, 39, of Youngsville, La., was sentenced on January 14, 2016 to 75 months in prison and three years of supervised release;

Jenee Lynn Hargrave, 30, of Scott, La., was sentenced on January 14, 2016 to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release;

David Lowery, 34, of New Iberia, was sentenced on October 28, 2015 to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release;

Everette Dupuis, 40, of New Iberia, was sentenced on January 13, 2016 to 40 months in prison and two years of supervised release;

Michael Guidry, 46, of Erath, La., was sentenced on October 28, 2015 to 66 months in prison and three years of supervised release;

Tyrone Howard, 44, of Youngsville, was sentenced on January 11, 2016 to 40 months in prison and two years of supervised release;

Kevin Jefferson, 32, of New Iberia, was sentenced on January 11, 2016 to 68 months in prison and five years of supervised release;

Nared Souphannavong, 30, of New Iberia, was sentenced on January 13, 2016 to 24 months in prison and five years of supervised release;

Brandi Boullion, 29, of New Iberia, was sentenced on January 13, 2016 to time served and two years of supervised release;

Dewey Migues, 37, of New Iberia, was sentenced on November 24, 2015 to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release; and

Corey Freyou, 39, of New Iberia, was sentenced on November 18, 2015 to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

The investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation. The DEA, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Lafayette Police Department participated in this OCDETF investigation. The U.S. Marshal’s Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Lafayette City Marshal’s Office assisted in the arrests. The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt and dismantle the targeted criminal organization, and to seize its assets.

“Methamphetamine drug traffickers distribution networks are priority prosecutions for this office,” Finley stated. “The poison these defendants sell hurts our communities and spawns more crimes. I’m thankful to the law enforcement agents and prosecutors who worked hard to make sure our communities are safe and ensured a successful conclusion to this case.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie, Daniel J. McCoy and Robert F. Moore prosecuted the case.