Two From Louisiana Face Sentences Totaling Over 25 Years Combined for Trafficking Methamphetamine

Two men from Louisiana now face more than 25 years combined in prison for trafficking methamphetamine.

Shreveport, Louisiana - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that James Pittman, 41, and Jeffery Southern, 51, both from the Ruston, Louisiana, area have been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for trafficking methamphetamine. Pittman was sentenced to 153 months (12 years, 9 months) in prison, and Southern was sentenced to 150 months (12 years, 5 months) in prison. Both will be under supervised release for 5 years following their release from prison.

Agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in the Ruston, Louisiana area. During their investigation, authorities learned that Pittman and Southern traveled to Houston, Texas on February 18, 2022, to get methamphetamine. Agents conducted surveillance on their vehicle and observed the individuals as they traveled through Shreveport, Louisiana, and Bossier City, Louisiana after returning from Houston. A deputy from the Webster Parish Sheriff's Office halted the vehicle after observing it commit a traffic infraction. It was determined that Pittman was the driver and Southern was the passenger. Pittman admitted to the deputy that he had a Webster Parish warrant. The officer confirmed the validity of the warrant before returning to the vehicle and asking Pittman to out. As Pittman was being patted down, Southern slid into the driver's seat and fled the scene. A backup deputy pursued the fleeing vehicle and shot out its rear tire. Eventually, Southern was stopped and put into custody.

During a check of the vehicle, law enforcement authorities discovered a duffel bag containing 4.5 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia in the trunk. In addition, officers discovered a black bag with a zipper that Southern had discarded from the truck as he ran. The bag contained 1460.7 grams of pure methamphetamine, which was validated by testing at the DEA Southeast Laboratory. Southern and Pittman were indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the purpose to distribute methamphetamine, and both pled guilty.

The DEA, the Lincoln Parish Sheriff's Office, the Ruston Police Department, and the Webster Parish Sheriff's Office investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.