News

Deputy Brandon Searles of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office was recognized as the Middle District’s Freedom 250 Hometown Hero, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall. 

Demietriek Scott, age 50, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Brian A. Jackson to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.

Osleidy Vanesa Chourio Diaz, age 28, a Venezuelan national, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles to sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.

Kelly Denise Hernandez, age 38, of Birmingham, Alabama, and Enrique Garcia-Gonzalez, age 27, an illegal alien from Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens for profit, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.

The Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women has awarded $2,130,000 collectively to the Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response Center, Baton Rouge City Office of the Treasurer, and Louisiana Department of Justice, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.

Richard Lance Cline Jr., age 35, of Walker, Louisiana, was sentenced to 282 months in federal prison following his convictions for distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Frank Sneed, age 33, of New Roads, Louisiana, was sentenced to 76 months in federal prison following his conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

Marvell Trevenski Jackson, Jr., age 26, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Brian A. Jackson to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and theft of mail, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.

United States Attorney Kurt L. Wall announced that William Alexander Ruiz-Ponce, age 28, a Honduran national who is present in the United States without authorization, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Brian A. Jackson to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. 

United States Attorney Kurt L. Wall announced that Kleider Enrique Garcia Ochoa, age 30, a Venezuelan national who is present in the United States without authorization, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Brian A. Jackson to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. 

United States Attorney Kurt L. Wall announced the conviction of Cody Gaspard, age 27, of Denham Springs, Louisiana. After a three-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge Brian A. Jackson, the jury unanimously convicted Gaspard of assaulting a postal employee.

United States Kurt L. Wall announced that U.S. District Court Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Victorino De La Cruz, age 43, of Mableton, Georgia, to 120 months in federal prison following his conviction for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.