Lake Charles, Louisiana – United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. recently handed down sentences to two Lake Charles men for their involvement in the possession of firearms and distribution of illicit substances, including fentanyl. The defendants, Johnathan C. Norwood and Cohaynee D. Jones were found guilty of various charges and will serve significant prison terms.
Johnathan C. Norwood, 42, received a sentence of 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Norwood was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The investigation into Norwood’s activities began in early 2023 when law enforcement agents suspected him of distributing drugs in the Calcasieu Parish area. A traffic stop was conducted on April 3, 2023, and Norwood’s vehicle was searched, revealing approximately 29.21 grams of cocaine and over $3,000 in cash. A subsequent search warrant was executed at Norwood’s residence, where officers seized four firearms, ammunition, and large quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and hydrocodone pills. The investigation also found that two of the seized firearms had been reported as stolen from their lawful owners.
The second defendant, Cohaynee D. Jones, 28, was sentenced to 72 months (6 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Jones was found guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Jones was arrested on April 20, 2022, when agents with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in Calcasieu Parish executed four active arrest warrants at his residence. A search of the premises revealed a rifle near Jones, as well as two additional firearms on the couch. One of the firearms had been reported as stolen. Jones has a previous felony conviction for aggravated battery from 2020 and was prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition. A search of a rental vehicle in Jones’ driveway also yielded a backpack containing several Ziploc bags with a substance that appeared to be narcotics, which was later confirmed to weigh approximately 57 grams and contain a detectable amount of fentanyl.
The cases were investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in Calcasieu Parish, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Danny Siefker and Jamilla A. Bynog.