Hammond Man Guilty of Fentanyl, Heroin, Methamphetamine and Cocaine Distribution and Conspiracy

NEW ORLEANS, LA – JOHN TICKLES JR. (“TICKLES JR.”), age 30 of Hammond, Louisiana, plead guilty on February 26, 2026, to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act before United States District Judge Barry Ashe, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. Specifically, TICKLES JR. plead guilty to Counts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 14 of the Superseding Indictment pending against him.  Count One charges him with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and a quantity of a mixture an substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), 841(b)(1)(B), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846.  Counts Two and Eleven charge him with distribution of forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).  Counts Three, Six, Nine, and Twelve charge him with knowingly and intentionally using a communication facility, to wit: a telephone, in committing, causing, and facilitating the commission of a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 843(b) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.  Counts Five and Eight charge him with distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B). Count Fourteen charges him with possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of Fentanyl and a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 841(b)(1)(C).

On Counts 1 and 2, TICKLES JR. faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and at least 5 years of supervised release following imprisonment.  On Counts 2, 5, 8, and 11, TICKLES JR.  faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment. On Counts 3, 6, 9, and 12, TICKLES JR. faces up to 4 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 1 year of supervised release following imprisonment.

As to each count, TICKLES JR. also faces payment of a mandatory $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to court records, TICKLES JR. conspired with co-defendants, to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin in the Eastern District of Louisiana. In a series of wire calls, TICKLES JR. discussed every aspect of his fentanyl business, including co-conspirators, prices, warnings about the location of law enforcement, and coordinated distribution to others.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne the Narcotics Unit.