Louisiana Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty in Methamphetamine Distribution Case, Faces up to Life in Prison

Louisiana – On October 27, 2022, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Dereck Celestin, Jr., age 37, a resident of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, pled guilty on October 25, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan 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).

According to court filings, a DEA investigation indicated that Celestin was a methamphetamine distributor in Terrebonne Parish. Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration staged two controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Celestin. On July 13, 2021, agents coordinated the acquisition of 48.73 grams of methamphetamine from Celestin. Agents arranged for the acquisition of 130.35 grams of methamphetamine from Celestin on August 9, 2021.

Celestin is expected to be sentenced on February 14, 2023.

Celestin faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, up to forty years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release following any period of imprisonment for Count 1. Celestin faces a required minimum sentence of ten years in prison, up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any period of incarceration for Count 2. Celestin faces a $100 obligatory special assessment fee for both counts of the indictment.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office together investigated this case. J. Benjamin Myers, Assistant United States Attorney, is in charge of the prosecution.