Two Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Defendants Sentenced on Drug Conspiracy Charges
SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE, La. – Two defendants involved in separate Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) cases were sentenced yesterday on drug charges in the Western District of Louisiana, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.
Djavious T. Evans, 23, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 120 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In July 2020, agents with the DEA began an investigation into the trafficking of methamphetamine in the Shreveport area. This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation was named “Operation Lost and Found” and resulted in federal indictments against nine defendants for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Through their investigation, agents learned that Demetrius Loston, Evans and other co-defendants were distributing large amounts of methamphetamine in the Shreveport area.
Law enforcement agents intercepted phone calls between Loston and an unnamed individual wherein they communicated about meeting to pick up methamphetamine at a local gas station. Agents observed Loston’s vehicle travel to the gas station, then to a residence in Shreveport. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was Evans. He had an outstanding warrant for child support and was arrested. During a search of the vehicle, officers found two loaded firearms, and a bag with several bags of methamphetamine inside. Another bag of methamphetamine was found under the radio console, along with 141 ecstasy pills. The narcotics were taken to the crime lab and were determined to have a net weight of 253.6 grams of methamphetamine and the ecstasy pills weighed 30.7 grams.
This case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.
Jhailen Zeno, of 27, of Lafayette, Louisiana was sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 85 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin. This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation was named “Operation All Star Millennials” and resulted in a federal indictment against ten defendants for conspiring together to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine in the Morgan City area. Law enforcement agents began an investigation in September 2019 into the drug trafficking activities of Zeno and his co-defendants and learned that Zeno conspired with nine others to acquire and distribute heroin for profit. During their investigation, Zeno was stopped on two occasions in June 2020 and found to have heroin in his possession, along with a 9mm handgun. Zeno pleaded guilty on charge on July 7, 2021.
This case was investigated by the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Lafayette Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel and Robert C. Abendroth.
These cases are part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
