Jefferson Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Controlled Substances Act

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DEON SHORT (“SHORT”), age 27, a resident of Jefferson Parish, pleaded guilty on May 21, 2024, before Chief U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown, to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, in June 2022, representatives from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated a joint investigation into SHORT as a member of a co-conspirator’s cocaine distribution organization.  As part of the investigation, agents utilized a DEA Confidential Source to make a controlled purchase of 125 grams of cocaine from SHORT.

SHORT faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Financial Crimes Unit.