Lafayette, Louisiana - On September 19, Eric Martin, a 36-year-old resident of Ethel, Louisiana, was handed a sentence for possession of methamphetamine, as stated by US Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Martin was sentenced by US District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to serve 274 months, equivalent to 22 years and 10 months, in prison. This will be succeeded by 5 years of monitored release.

In January 2023, Martin was hit with charges that included the intention to distribute methamphetamine, as per an indictment. Evidence brought to the court revealed that Martin was stopped by members of the Sheriff's Office in Evangeline Parish on July 13, 2022, for driving exceeding the speed limit.

Martin was the only one in the vehicle, confirmed by law enforcement. During the traffic stop, officials detected a marijuana scent coming from the vehicle's passenger area.

After being informed of his Miranda rights, Martin was interrogated by the officers. He confessed that marijuana could be found in a blue backpack situated on the vehicle's front passenger seat.

The vehicle was searched and about 26 grams of marijuana were found on the front passenger seat by the officers. Additionally, presumed to be methamphetamine, almost 18 kilograms were discovered on the vehicle's back seat, easily accessible to Martin. A preliminary test confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in the suspected substance. The DEA laboratory confirmed that the seized substance, which weighed about 16.96 kilograms, was indeed methamphetamine.

Martin has a background of criminal offenses, which includes being found guilty of negligent homicide and accessory after the fact to aggravated second-degree battery.

The investigation of the case was undertaken by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration along with the Sheriff's Office of Evangeline Parish. The prosecution was carried out by Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaDonte A. Murphy and Craig R. Bordelon.