United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana

12/12/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/12/2024 16:24

Federal and Local Law Enforcement Agencies Conduct Round-Up of Defendants from Concordia Parish Indicted on Drug Trafficking Charges

Press Release

Federal and Local Law Enforcement Agencies Conduct Round-Up of Defendants from Concordia Parish Indicted on Drug Trafficking Charges

Thursday, December 12, 2024
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Louisiana

ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown, along with Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") Assistant Special Agent in Charge Percy Giles, III, and Concordia Parish Sheriff David Hedrick, held a press conference today to announce that 13 individuals have been arrested on federal charges following an investigation into drug trafficking activities in the Concordia and Rapides Parish area.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI and local law enforcement officers with the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office. The indictment alleges that these 13 individuals conspired together to distribute and possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. The defendants named in the indictment and their charges are as follows:

Defendant Name Charges

Henry M. Jefferson, Sr.

Age 47

Katy, Texas

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count
  • Jefferson, Sr., who has a prior federal drug trafficking conviction, is also charged with a sentencing enhancement based on his criminal history

Henry M. Jefferson, Jr.

Age 30

Katy, Texas

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count
  • Distribution of methamphetamine - one count

Michael Thompson

Age 26

Ferriday, LA

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count

Tommy L. Piercefield

Age 45

Ferriday, LA

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count

Tony L. Bethley

Age 28

Ferriday, LA

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count

Terrell Harbor

Age 43

Ferriday, LA

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count

Zamarion Rosenthal

Age 30

Ferriday, LA

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count

Ramon Martin

Age 30

Ferriday, LA

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count

Donteale Carter

Age 27

Ferriday, LA

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count
  • Carter, who has a prior state manslaughter conviction, is also charged with a sentencing enhancement based on his criminal history

Selena Walker

Age 48

Vidalia, LA

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count

Gerald White

Age 50

Ridgecrest, LA

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count

Bradley Welch

Age 38

Ridgecrest, LA

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count

Jamari Randall

Age 25

Vidalia, LA

  • Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine - one count

These defendants have all been arrested and will be arraigned in federal court, with the exception of Zamarion Demon Rosenthal who remains a fugitive. If you know the whereabouts of Rosenthal, notify the FBI, Louisiana State Police, or Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office.

"Our local communities suffer greatly when the trafficking of drugs takes place there, wreaking havoc on individuals who live and work in those communities," said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. "It is our duty as law enforcement agencies to work diligently together to try and put a stop to these drugs entering our communities. The indictment of these 13 individuals is the result of a long-term investigation that could not have happened without the cooperation and support of local, state and federal law enforcement. This is an ongoing investigation, and we are committed to continuing our joint efforts to keep these drugs off of our streets."

"In this case, thirteen is a very lucky number for the communities impacted by the individuals named in this indictment," said Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. "The FBI will continue to work with its strong partners in Concordia Parish and the U.S. Attorney's Office to drive those who deal in illicit drugs and their associated violence out of our neighborhoods."

"We will continue to work diligently to remove those dealing drugs from our parish. Their actions negatively impact our youth, our families and our communities and we will not look the other way and allow this activity to occur," said Concordia Parish Sheriff David Hedrick. "I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, Louisiana State Police, and the CPSO Narcotics Unit for their relentless efforts during this two-year endeavor."

If convicted, Henry M. Jefferson, Sr. and Donteale Carter each face a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. The remaining 11 defendants each face a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, if convicted.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

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Updated December 12, 2024
Topic
Drug Trafficking