Louisiana Couple Sentenced to a Combined 31 Years for Trafficking Methamphetamine

Louisiana - On September 27, 2022, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Elena E. Rivers, 30, and Tryton Alonzo Thomas, 33, both of Many, Louisiana, have been sentenced for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine in the Sabine Parish area. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced the defendants as follows:

Thomas was sentenced to 262 months (21 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Rivers was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team launched an investigation into drug trafficking in the Many, Louisiana region. According to the evidence produced in court, Thomas sold methamphetamine to a number of people. Specifically, in September 2021, law enforcement investigators collected video proof of Thomas selling more than 100 grams of methamphetamine on four occasions. Agents spotted Rivers driving Thomas away from her house on September 29, 2021, to perform a drug deal.

When Thomas and Rivers arrived, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Rivers put the car in drive and fled the scene. She narrowly avoided hitting two deputies on foot as she fled. Deputies observed Thomas throw a bag containing a white substance from the automobile during the subsequent chase. Deputies were able to locate and recover the bag containing methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers grabbed Rivers and Thomas. Deputies issued a search warrant on Rivers' home after the chase and uncovered methamphetamine, marijuana, 60 ecstasy pills, and various prescription drugs.

The FBI and the Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody. This operation is part of the ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest level criminal organizations that pose a threat to the United States. More information about the OCDETF Program is available at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.