Baton Rouge Man Sentenced to Over 17 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

By Calcasieu Staff
Published January 31, 2025

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana – United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that Demarlo Brown, a 42-year-old resident of Baton Rouge, has been sentenced to 211 months in federal prison. This sentence follows his convictions for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities. In addition to his prison term, Brown will serve five years of supervised release after completing his sentence. The court has also ordered the forfeiture of assets obtained through his drug trade, including firearms and ammunition seized during law enforcement operations.

This case stemmed from a comprehensive investigation conducted by the Middle District Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which targeted a drug trafficking network operating in East Baton Rouge Parish and nearby areas. The OCDETF employs a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven approach that involves multiple law enforcement agencies working collaboratively to disrupt and dismantle high-level criminal organizations.

According to Brown’s admissions during his guilty plea, he led a drug distribution organization from March to September 2019. During this period, Brown and his associates distributed significant quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin in the Baton Rouge area. Law enforcement executed search warrants at Brown’s residence and other locations linked to him, resulting in the seizure of over 27 ounces of methamphetamine, 2.7 ounces of heroin, and 1.6 ounces of fentanyl. Additionally, two firearms and 38 rounds of ammunition were confiscated from Brown, who illegally possessed them for protection related to his drug operations. In total, six firearms and 168 rounds of ammunition were seized during the raids.

Brown’s possession of firearms was particularly concerning as he was a convicted felon, having been previously sentenced to 10 years at hard labor for armed robbery in the 19th Judicial District Court in April 2024. This prior conviction prohibited him from legally possessing firearms and ammunition.

The investigation was a collaborative effort involving various agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Baton Rouge City Police Department. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Lyman E. Thornton, III, and Jessica Jarreau, who is also the Deputy Chief of the Organized and Violent Crime Unit at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.