Houma Man, Channing Christopher Miller, Sentenced To 10 Years On Federal Drug Violation

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that CHANNING CHRISTOPHER MILLER, age 36, of Houma, Louisiana, was sentenced today after having previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride.     

U.S. District Court Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced MILLER to 120 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

According to court documents, on or about November 14, 2013, law enforcement officers established surveillance of the MEGABUS terminal on Bienville Street in New Orleans in order to conduct routine drug interdiction operations at the terminal.  At approximately 5:45 p.m., officers observed MILLER exit the MEGABUS and retrieve a black duffel bag from the luggage area.  Officers approached MILLER and smelled the aroma of marijuana coming from MILLER’s person.  After telling officers that he was travelling from Houston, Texas, MILLER gave verbal consent to the officers to search his back pack and the black duffel bag.  Immediately thereafter, officers seized 3½ bricks of powder cocaine from the back pack and a plastic bag containing marijuana and an off-white cutting agent. Officers then arrested MILLER.  Subsequent laboratory analysis revealed a net weight of 4,469 grams of cocaine hydrochloride.     

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters is in charge of the prosecution.