Lafayette Parish Couple Charged With Drug Trafficking

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TERRY REED, age 54, and CHASSIDY MENARD, age 38, a couple from Lafayette Parish, were charged on May 9, 2024, in a four-count indictment by a federal grand Jury.  REED was charged with possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, its salts, isomers, and salts of its isomers, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A); felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).  MENARD was charged with simple possession of heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 844(a), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. 

If convicted of the drug count, REED faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  If convicted of felon in possession of a firearm, REED faces a term of imprisonment up to 15 years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  If convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, REED also faces a consecutive mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  MENARD faces imprisonment up to 1 year, and a minimum fine of $1,000.  If convicted, REED shall pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each count.  If convicted, MENARD must pay mandatory special assessment fee of $25.     

According to the filed indictment, on or about February 3, 2024, REED intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute (50) grams or more of methamphetamines, possessed a firearm, a Ruger Model LC9, nine-millimetre pistol despite being previously convicted of a felony which prohibits possession of firearm.  REED allegedly used the illegally possessed firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Finally, on February 3, 2024, MENARD allegedly intentionally possessed heroin.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver of the Narcotics Unit.