Conspiracy to Kidnap Ends with Three South Louisiana Men Each Spending 18 to 25 Years in Federal Prison

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown, along with FBI Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil, and Lafayette Parish Sheriff Mark Garber have joined together to announce that three defendants who were involved in a conspiracy to kidnap have been convicted and sentenced in the Western District of Louisiana. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced each of the defendants as follows:

Joseph Lawrence Harrison, 27, of St. Martinville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 216 months (18 years) in prison.

Cody Lajohn Williams, 31, of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, was sentenced to 300 months (25 years) in prison.

Drapper Lavar Anthony, Jr., 27, of  Youngsville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison.

On February 16, 2023, law enforcement agents and investigators learned that this group of co-conspirators lured an individual from Los Angeles, California, to Lafayette, Louisiana, under the guise of executing a multi-state narcotics transaction. After the victim arrived in Lafayette, he was kidnapped at gun point. He received serval injuries including lacerations to his face after being struck with a firearm. The victim was held for several hours in an Airbnb turned safe house by co-conspirators. Several ransom demands were made that included a request for up to $300,000, 100 pounds of marijuana, and several high-end pieces of jewelry.

After constant collaboration between investigators and using multiple investigative techniques, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives were able to intercept Harrison and Williams and safely secure the victim.

Harrison pleaded guilty on March 15, 2024, and admitted to knowingly participating in the criminal venture when he aided other members of this conspiracy in demanding the ransom in exchange for the release of the victim. He participated in sending interstate communications by providing a cell phone that was used to capture proof of life photographs and videos of the victim.

Williams pleaded guilty on May 3, 2024, to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and sending interstate communications with intent to extort and admitted to his involvement in the conspiracy.

Anthony pleaded guilty on May 3, 2024, to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and sending interstate communications with intent to extort and admitted to his involvement in the conspiracy.

“The apprehension of these three defendants could not have happened without the cooperation of each of these state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as those in California, and is a testament to what is possible when we all work together,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The kind of bad acts that these three men committed are without reproach and will not be tolerated in the Western District of Louisiana. I am proud of the men and women within our office that worked to make this prosecution successful and am grateful for the partnership we have built with our federal and local law enforcement partners. We will continue to work together to combat violent crime in the Western District of Louisiana.”

“Every day, the FBI works with its law enforcement partners to combat drugs and violent crime in this country,” said Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of FBI New Orleans. “Every citizen, including those caught up in the middle of illicit activity, deserves protection from the harm that can occur when one ventures into that illegal trade. The FBI thanks all of its partners in this case for making sure some of this business was disrupted.”

“These individuals are part of fueling the violent crime problem across the country by purchasing and assembling an unserialized firearm that was used in the commission of a heinous crime,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The sentence imposed today sends a message that we will continue to focus efforts on prohibited individuals who unlawfully possess these firearms, remove another violent criminal from our streets, and keep our neighborhoods safe as the top priority for ATF.”

The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafayette Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Broussard Police Department and Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office (Corrections Unit). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys LaDonte A. Murphy and Daniel J. Vermaelen.

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