Two Louisiana Men Indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute More Than 11 Pounds of Cocaine

New Orleans, Louisiana – On September 1, 2022, the Department of Justice U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Louisiana announced that Anthony Monreal-Fabela, age 21, a resident of Houma, Louisiana, and Diogo Hernandez, age 18, a resident of Bourg, Louisiana, were charged August 4, 2022, in a sealed one-count indictment by a federal grand jury.

According to court documents, beginning on or about June 14, 2022, and continuing until on or about July 27, 2022, Monreal-Fabela and Hernandez conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. The indictment was unsealed on August 23, 2022.

If found guilty, Monreal-Fabela and Hernandez risk a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release following any term of incarceration, and a mandatory special assessment charge of $100.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The US Homeland Security Investigations, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and US Customs and Border Protection all looked into the case. Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers is in charge of the prosecution.