BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced JOHNNY J. MASON, age 36, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced to federal prison following his convictions in Operation Hidden Fee,  an extensive federal, state, and local investigation by the Middle District Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) aimed at a drug trafficking network based and operating in Baton Rouge.  The Indictment filed in this matter charged significant drug trafficking offenses involving heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine, as well as several firearm offenses. 

U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced MASON  to a 180 month term of imprisonment following his convictions for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  The Court also sentenced MASON to 5 years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered that the firearm be forfeited. 

According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, MASON was on parole for simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling and possession of cocaine when law enforcement authorities arrested him in January 2017 during an undercover investigation of a purchase MASON had arranged involving methamphetamine. Authorities searched the vehicle MASON was traveling in and seized, among other items, digital scales and four bags containing approximately 58.41 grams of methamphetamine and a Beretta .380 caliber pistol.  While in parish prison, MASON recruited his co-defendant, Stacy Taylor, into the drug trafficking conspiracy and introduced her to James C. Hull, the head of a narcotics distribution ring involving 21 subordinate drug dealers who operated throughout the Baton Rouge area.

Taylor pled guilty to the conspiracy and was subsequesntly sentenced to 48 months imprisonment.  Hull pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine base, distribution of methamphetamine and heroin, and four counts of unlawful use of communication facilities.  As a result of his conviction, Hull faces a significant term of imprisonment, a fine, and a period of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, ”I want to congratulate our prosecutors and our federal, state, and local partners, whose work will ensure that this serious drug trafficker will remain behind bars for a significant period of time, and that a large drug trafficking organization is being dismantled. Keeping drugs and violence out of our communities remains a top priority of our office.”

“This is an outstanding example of law enforcement teamwork,” said DEA’s Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Arnett.  “It also shows the tenacity of our law enforcement agents who, for years, continued to pursue MASON and bring him to justice and be punished for the serious crimes he committed.”

The investigation is yet another effort by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, which was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack against organized drug traffickers.  Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney General’s drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.  The OCDETF Program operates nationwide and combines the resources and unique expertise of numerous federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. 

These ongoing investigations were led by the Drug Enforcement Administration with invaluable assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Baton Rouge City Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police.  Other agencies also assisted in apprehending the defendants, including the U.S. Marshal’s Service, and the Sheriffs’ Offices in Ascension, Iberville, and West Baton Rouge Parishes.  These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Piedrahita and Lyman E. Thornton III.

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today the conviction of an additional individual charged in Operation Hidden Fee in connection with an extensive federal, state, and local investigation by the Middle District Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) aimed at a drug trafficking network based and operating in Baton Rouge.  The Indictment filed in this matter charged significant drug trafficking offenses involving heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine, as well as several firearm offenses. 

On March 13, 2019, HENRY J. HAYES, age 42, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, appeared before U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick and pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine, distribution of heroin and crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Beginning in January 2017 and continuing through July 2017, law enforcement agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration were investigating the drug trafficking activities of James Christian Hull.  During the course of this investigation, federal agents identified HAYES as one of Hull's suppliers who furnished Hull with multi-ounce quantities of heroin and crack cocaine on a weekly basis.  They sometimes met at locations near Drusilla Dr. in Baton Rouge, where HAYES supplied Hull with ounce amounts of heroin and crack cocaine, which Hull distributed to associates and customers.

On June 13, 2017, during the execution of a search warrant, agents found a number of firearms, large amounts of heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, and approximately $138,293 in cash at HAYES’ residence in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.   

HAYES was previously convicted in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, for possession of ecstasy and sentenced to serve 2.5 years prison. 

On July 10, 2018, James C. Hull pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine and heroin, and four counts of unlawful use of communications facility.   As part of the plea, Hull admitted to being the head of a narcotics distribution ring involving 21 subordinate drug dealers who operated throughout the Baton Rouge area.

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “The conviction of another member of this drug gang demonstrates the success that can be realized by cooperation of federal, state, and local law enforcement. I want to thank our prosecutors and all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this prosecution.”

“This investigation highlights the impact multiple agencies can have when they join forces.  We will continue to work together with our local law enforcement partners and pursue those who threaten our communities through their criminal activities.  The successful prosecution of this individual should put others who engage in this type of activity on notice,” said Brad L. Byerley, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New Orleans Field Division. 

The investigation is yet another effort by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, which was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack against organized drug traffickers.  Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney General’s drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.  The OCDETF Program operates nationwide and combines the resources and unique expertise of numerous federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. 

This ongoing investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration with invaluable assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Baton Rouge City Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police.  Other agencies also assisted in apprehending the defendant, including the U.S. Marshal’s Service, and the Sheriffs’ Offices in Ascension, Iberville, and West Baton Rouge Parishes. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Piedrahita and Lyman Thornton, III.

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that a lengthy federal investigation into an extensive drug trafficking network based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has resulted in the return of three grand jury indictments charging forty-one (41) separate individuals in more than 80 counts with narcotics and firearms-related offenses.  As discussed in more detail below, the defendants are charged with conspiring to possess and distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base, and several of the defendants are charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities.  If convicted, the defendants face significant terms of imprisonment, significant fines, restitution, and forfeiture.

The indictments are the product of a long-term investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as part of the Middle District Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Task Force (OCDETF).  The investigation has received invaluable assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Baton Rouge City Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police.  Other agencies also assisted in apprehending the defendants, including the U.S. Marshal’s Service, and the Sheriffs’ Offices in Ascension, Iberville, and West Baton Rouge Parishes.

United States v. Travis R. James et al., Criminal No. 18-21-SDD-RLB

In the first case, the grand jury has charged fifteen (15) defendants, including TRAVIS R. JAMES, TROY L. JAMES, HARRIS HAMPTON, III, JOSHUA J.  MANSION, SIDNEY L. JARVIS, D’MARI D. HARDING, KIM K. MURPHY, YASCIA N. LAFRANCE, CARL W. RICHARD, JR., MELVIN A. JACOBS, MICHAEL D. NELSON, ANTHONY DUPARD, CORNELIUS J. CARTER, COREY L. KING, and BRIAN W. HOLLINGSWORTH.  All of the defendants are residents of Louisiana, with most residing in the Baton Rouge area, with the exception of KING and HOLLINGSWORTH, who are residents of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

The defendants face twenty-eight (28) counts, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin; possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; distribution of cocaine and cocaine base; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and the unlawful use of communication facilities in facilitating the commission of the drug trafficking crimes referenced above. 

United States v. James C. Hull et al., Criminal No. 18-22-JWD-EWD

In the second case, the grand jury has charged five defendants, including JAMES C. HULL, BYRON A. LAWSON, HENRY J. HAYES, DARIUSS SPRIVEY, and BRIAN HERNANDEZ, all Baton Rouge residents.  The defendants face twenty-one (21) counts, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine base; possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine base; distribution of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and the unlawful use of communication facilities in facilitating the commission of the drug trafficking crimes referenced above. 

United States v. Cody Stafford et al., Criminal No. 18-23-BAJ-EWD

In the third case, the grand jury has charged twenty-one (21) defendants, including CODY STAFFORD, DUSTIN HENDERSON, BEN HAMMET, SAM E. 0KINAMORE, BRITTANY P. YOUNG, WILLIAM W. LIPSCOMB, FRANK W. LIPSCOMB, ASHLEY L. IMPSON, SHANNON E. JOHNSON, SAMUEL RICHARDSON, BRIAN N. DANNA, HEATHER R. WEBBER, DALE ODOM, GREGORY A. LOLLIS, BRANDON S. KINAMORE, ROBERT T. SANDERS, JENNIFER LEVITE, JOBY V. LETARD, STACY TAYLOR, JOHNNY MASON, and SHAYLA T. PAYNE, all of Baton Rouge.

The Indictment includes thirty-four (34) counts, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine base; possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; distribution of methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and the unlawful use of communication facilities in facilitating the commission of the drug trafficking crimes referenced above. 

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U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “This office, along with our federal, state and local partners, will continue to aggressively pursue those who engage in the illegal trafficking of drugs in our district. This type of behavior destroys our communities and the lives of our people one deal at a time and it will not be tolerated. These indictments send a strong message to those who continue to poison our communities that we will not sit idly by while you conduct business.”

The investigation is yet another effort by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, which was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack against organized drug traffickers.  Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney General’s drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.  The OCDETF Program operates nationwide and combines the resources and unique expertise of numerous federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. 

These ongoing investigations are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Piedrahita and Cal Leipold, with valuable assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Sanchez, Brad Casey, and Elizabeth White.

 

NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by the Grand Jury.  The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.