Illegal Possession of Fentanyl and Firearms Results in Federal Prison for Three Men

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Three South Louisiana men were sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. in separate cases involving illegal possession of firearms and narcotics, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. 

Duane Khristopher Huntsberry, 36, of Lake Charles, was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on firearms charges. On May 3, 2021, an anonymous citizen’s complaint was received alleging drug activity at a local apartment in the Lake Charles area. Deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office went to the apartment and were approached by Huntsberry, who advised them that he lived at the apartment, but it was in his girlfriend’s name. When deputies informed him of the reason for their visit, Huntsberry advised that there was a firearm inside the apartment and admitted that he was currently on parole. Deputies subsequently asked the girlfriend for consent to search the residence, but she declined. A search warrant was obtained to search the residence and upon entry of the apartment, officers found and seized a Troy AR style pistol with a loaded magazine, as well as four boxes of ammunition in the master bedroom.  Law enforcement agents determined that Huntsberry has numerous felony convictions, including illegal possession of a stolen firearm, possession of controlled substances, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and pleaded guilty to the charge on March 11, 2024.

This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

Kirk Wayne August, 46, of Lake Charles, was sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On May 14, 2022, Lake Charles Police Department officers responded to a complaint of gunshots fired in an area near N. Lyons Street in Lake Charles. Officers spoke to a citizen who informed them that they had observed August in his backyard holding a firearm. When officers approached August and questioned him about the incident, he denied possessing any firearm. Officers were able to obtain a search warrant for August’s residence and upon execution of the warrant, found and seized a Henry .22 caliber rifle and a Savage .410 shotgun. August was charged and pleaded guilty on March 28, 2024, and admitted to possessing the firearm despite knowing he was prohibited from doing so.  August has a prior felony conviction for simple burglary from 2022.

This case was investigated by ATF and Lake Charles Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.

Brandon Alfred, 33, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In April 2021, detectives with the Anti-Drug Task Force based in Calcasieu Parish began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Alfred. On April 14, 2021, law enforcement officers conducted mobile surveillance of the vehicle Alfred was driving and conducted a traffic stop. When officers made contact with Alfred, they detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  Alfred admitted that he had a bag of marijuana in his pants pocket and the officer retrieved approximately 4 grams from Alfred’s person. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a tan compressed substance wrapped in plastic in the driver’s side door where Alfred had been sitting. The substance was sent to the crime laboratory for testing, and it was confirmed to be a mixture containing tramadol, heroin, and fentanyl and weighed approximately 236 grams. Alfred was charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances containing fentanyl and pleaded guilty on February 26, 2024.

This case was investigated by Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

# # #