Four People from St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson Parish, and California Indicted on Federal Drug Charges Including Distribution of Fentanyl

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JESSICA MARIE PORTWAY of St. John the Baptist Parish, RACHEL PORTWAY and TYLER SALADINO ("SALADINO") of Jefferson Parish,and JAMES GOTTFRIED ("GOTTFRIED") of California,were charged in a four-count superseding indictment on October 24, 2024 with violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act.

JESSICA PORTWAY, RACHEL PORTWAY, SALADINO, and GOTTFRIED were indicted in Count 1 for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846. If convicted of Count 1, they face up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release following imprisonment.

JESSICA PORTWAY, RACHEL PORTWAY, SALADINO, and GOTTFRIED were indicted in Count 2 for Distribution of Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and Title 18 United States Code Section 2. If convicted of Count 2, the defendants face up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release following imprisonment.

RACHEL PORTWAY and SALADINO were indicted in Count 3 for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). If convicted of Count 3, the defendants face up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release following imprisonment.

JESSICA PORTWAY was previously indicted in Count 4 of the indictment for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, fentanyl, and LSD, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 841(b)(1)(C). If convicted of Count 4, JESSICA PORTWAY faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and up to a maximum term of life imprisonment , a fine of up to $10,000,000, and up to five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

As to each count in which one of these individuals is charged, they also face payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to the superseding indictment, beginning on an unknown date, but at least by August 14, 2023 and continuing to on or about August 29, 2023, JESSICA PORTWAY, RACHEL PORTWAY, SALADINO, and GOTTFRIED conspired to distribute and, possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl, within the Eastern District of Louisiana.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration - Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, and the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Briana Williams of the Narcotics Unit.