Two Louisiana Men Sentenced for Drug Trafficking in Separate Cases

Louisiana – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two defendants have been sentenced on federal charges in the Western District of Louisiana.

S. Maurice Hicks, Jr., Chief United States District Judge, sentenced David Williams, 51, of Shreveport, Louisiana to 110 months in prison (9 years, 2 months), followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Williams was charged in a drug trafficking conspiracy with eight other defendants. On September 19, 2019, law enforcement agents investigating the case were listening in on one of Williams’ co-defendants’ phone calls via a wiretap . Williams agreed during the call to meet the co-defendant at a gas station and park in the back. Agents saw Williams arrive and briefly enter the co-defendant’s vehicle. 

A trooper with the Louisiana State Police stopped Williams’ vehicle. Agents discovered a hidden compartment under the center console containing two plastic baggies containing methamphetamine with a total weight of 89.7 grams and a small bag of marijuana. On September 24, 2019, agents intercepted another call in which Williams informed his co-defendant that he had been caught with the narcotics. On March 30, 2021, Williams pleaded guilty to the charge.

This case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Greenwood Police Department, and Louisiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tennille Gilreath and Allison Duncan.

Keelan Elaire, 25, of Lafayette, Louisiana was sentenced to 75 months (6 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, by United States District Judge David C. Joseph in Lafayette, Louisiana. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Lafayette Narcotics Unit launched an investigation into drug trafficking in Lafayette. On September 30, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Elaire’s home and discovered a 9mm pistol and ammunition inside.

Agents also discovered approximately 30 grams of fentanyl packaged in small baggies in a manner consistent with street-level narcotics sales, as well as a large amount of cash, inside Elaire and his girlfriend’s vehicles. Agents found approximately 650 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl, three m-30 pills believed to contain fentanyl stamped into counterfeit pills, and a money counter at another residence where Elaire lived. Elaire admitted to agents that he was the owner of the fentanyl and cash.

The case was investigated by the DEA and Lafayette Police Department Narcotics Unit and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert C. Abendroth and John W. Nickel.