Louisiana Man Sentenced to More than 4 Years After Selling Fentanyl Purported to be Heroin to Undercover Agents on Multiple Occasions

Opelousas, Louisiana – A Louisiana man has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after selling fentanyl purported to be heroin to undercover agents on multiple occasions.

On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Elijah Jones, 31, of Opelousas, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Court Judge David Joseph to 51 months (4 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, as a result of a conviction for violation of one (1) count of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(l) punishable by 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(b)(l)(C) – Distribution of Fentanyl.

On June 25, 2021, undercover officers arranged the purchase of suspected heroin from Elijah Jones. The deal was set up at the Cajun Fire Casino & Truck Stop in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana after agents called Jones. Jones wanted Agents to accompany him in his truck while they conducted business and completed the heroin transaction. Jones agreed to sell half an ounce of heroin and began weighing and packaging the drugs in a clear sandwich bag. Agents were able to obtain and carry out three separate controlled buys of suspected heroin from Elijah Jones. Jones finished one deal by delivering the drugs to Girard Park in Lafayette, Louisiana.

All three purchases of probable heroin were sent to the Acadiana Crime Lab for analysis. According to two reports, the claimed heroin was fentanyl. According to the third report, the substance is a combination of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. Elijah Jones was sentenced to 51 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and forced to pay a $10,000.00 fine.

The FBI, ATF, St. Martin Sheriff’s Office, and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

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