Several Defendants Sentenced in Separate Cases in Western District of Louisiana
SHREVEPORT/ MONROE, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced the resolution of five cases today in United States District Court in the Western District of Louisiana, all of which are listed below.
SENTENCING HEARINGS – SHREVEPORT
United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced the following defendants:
James D. Stephens, III, 39, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Stephens pleaded guilty to the charge on April 1, 2021. The charges in the indictment stemmed from an incident on November 17, 2019, when a Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped Stephens’ car for a routine traffic violation. Inside the vehicle, deputy found more than 500 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside the car.
The DEA, ATF and Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon prosecuted the case.
Marvelous Brown, 33, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 60 months and one day in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On August 6, 2019, agents from the Shreveport Police Department narcotics task force encountered Brown in his vehicle near his home and detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Brown admitted to agents that he had been smoking marijuana in his vehicle and admitted to having a small amount in his house. Agents searched the house and found approximately 213 grams of marijuana, a digital scale and packaging material, along with two pistols in Brown’s closet.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford prosecuted the case.
SENTENCING HEARINGS – MONROE
United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the following defendants:
Danny Ray Wilson, 31, of Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 72 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On October 13, 2020, deputies with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office stopped the vehicle Wilson was driving to execute an outstanding arrest warrant on him. Law enforcement officers arrested Wilson and found a pistol loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition between the driver’s seat and center console.
Wilson has prior felony convictions for obstruction of justice, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, and illegal use of a dangerous weapon (2009) and simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling (2017 and 2018). As a convicted felon, Wilson is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The ATF and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case.
Lee Underwood, Jr., 53, and Ruby Jane McMillian, 35, of Eros, Louisiana, were both sentenced on drug and firearm charges. Underwood was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison and McMillian was sentenced to 110 months (9 years, 2 months) in prison. Both were sentenced to 5 years of supervised release following their release from prison.
On November 20, 2020, law enforcement agents executed an arrest warrant for Lee Underwood at his home in Eros. Agents observed a firearm and drug paraphernalia in plain view at the residence and obtained a search warrant. During the execution of the search warrant, agents recovered a purse with McMillian’s driver’s license and three bags containing approximately 62 grams of methamphetamine along with the packaging. Agents also recovered two loaded firearms from Underwood’s bedroom, as well as methamphetamine in individually packaged baggies.
The DEA and ATF conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case.
Jory Terrell Williams, Jr., 30, of Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 209 months (17 years, 5 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of drugs and a firearm.
Williams was charged in October 2020 and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to information presented in court, law enforcement agents began an investigation into the illegal activities of Williams in January 2020. A search warrant was later obtained and executed at the residence of Williams. During the search, agents recovered 241.325 grams of methamphetamine, several digital scales, a vacuum sealer, and plastic bags. In addition, a loaded Glock pistol and over $9,000 in cash was recovered. Williams admitted to possessing the firearm, knowing that as a convicted felon he was prohibited from doing so.
Williams has prior felony convictions for aggravated battery (2018), aggravated burglary (2010), and simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling (2010).
The DEA and ATF conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.
