Three Men Headed to Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine and Illegally Possessing Firearms
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of three defendants in connection with cases involving the trafficking of narcotics and illegal possession of a firearm. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced the following individuals:
Cedric Bell, 55, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 180 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug and firearms charges. On August 20, 2021, a Caddo Parish Probation Officer searched Bell’s clothing and found a digital scale and cash in his pockets. When questioned by the officer, Bell admitted that he had some pills in his car and consented to a search of the vehicle. While searching Bell’s vehicle, officers found at least 50 grams of methamphetamine, a Taurus pistol, a Taurus revolver, and ammunition. Officers then searched Bell’s home and found ten more firearms, including two short-barreled rifles and a silencer. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined the firearms and determined they functioned as designed. Bell admitted to possession of the methamphetamine with intent to distribute and carrying and using firearms during a drug trafficking offense.
The case was investigated by the ATF and Caddo Parish Office of Probation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.
Demetrius Sumner, 44, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on firearms charges. Sumner went to a local pawn shop in Shreveport in July 2021 and attempted to purchase four firearms. While completing the ATF Form 4473 to purchase the firearms, Sumner indicated on the form that he had not been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. When in truth and in fact, Sumner had been convicted of a domestic violence charge in Clark County, Nevada on August 3, 2017. After waiting several days and not receiving an answer on Sumner’s background check to purchase the firearms, the pawn shop released them to Sumner. However, ten days later, the pawn shop received information denying Sumner’s application check due to his prior conviction. Law enforcement agents got the firearms back from Sumner and he admitted to making a false statement to a firearms dealer about his prior conviction.
The case was investigated by the ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath.
In a separate and unrelated case, United States Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Julius Bernard Washington, 39, of Natchitoches, Louisiana to 70 months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine. In October 2021, Washington sold methamphetamine to an individual which was later seized by law enforcement agents. The total amount of actual methamphetamine distributed by Washington was approximately 301.5 grams. Washington pleaded guilty to the charge on January 25, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg.
