37-Year-Old Louisiana Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine After Agents Performed Multiple Controlled Purchases

New Orleans, Louisiana - A 37-year-old Louisiana man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the distribution of methamphetamine after agents performed multiple controlled purchases.

On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Dereck Celestin, Jr., age 37, a resident of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, was sentenced on February 16, 2023, to 120 months (10 years) imprisonment, 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $200 special assessment fee by U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan, after pleading guilty to a two-count indictment which charged him with distribution of methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(A).

A Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) investigation indicated that Celestin was a methamphetamine distributor in Terrebonne Parish, according to court filings. Celestin was subjected to two controlled purchases of methamphetamine by DEA agents. Agents coordinated the purchase of 48.73 grams of methamphetamine from Celestin on July 13, 2021. Agents negotiated the acquisition of 130.35 grams of methamphetamine from Celestin on August 9, 2021.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Section handled the prosecution.