50-Year-Old Louisiana Man Convicted by Federal Jury for Drug Trafficking Involving Large Amounts of Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Crack

Monroe, Louisiana - A 50-year-old Louisiana man has been convicted by a federal jury for drug trafficking involving large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack.

United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, that a federal jury in Monroe, Louisiana returned a guilty verdict convicting Paul Anthony Lewis, 50, of West Monroe, Louisiana on numerous drug trafficking charges. United States District Judge David C. Joseph presided over the trial.

According to evidence produced at trial, agents with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Metro Narcotics Unit of Ouachita Parish launched an investigation into Lewis' potential drug trafficking activities. Agents noticed large parcels transported by the US Postal Service at Lewis' stash house while conducting surveillance. A later search of the residence uncovered large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base (commonly known as crack cocaine), and promethazine. Lewis used his phone to discuss drug trafficking deals with unindicted co-conspirators in Texas and the Western District of Louisiana, according to trial testimony.

“This defendant was a trafficker of almost any type of illicit substance he could get his hands on, with ‘was’ being the operative word here,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This jury verdict ensures that the citizens of Ouachita Parish will not have to worry about Mr. Lewis’ drug dealing for many years. Lastly, it is a priority in this district that there will be zero tolerance here for the trafficking of fentanyl.”

Lewis faces a prison sentence of 10 years to life, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The court will determine his sentence at a later date.

The DEA, the Metro Narcotics Unit of Ouachita Parish, and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Gaskins and Special Counsel to U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.

A previous version of this article indicated that the verdict was announced on Wednesday, February 28. It has been corrected to indicate that the verdict was announced on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.