Metairie Man Pleads Guilty in Methamphetamine-Trafficking Conspiracy

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DWAYNE CLAUSE, age 54, of Metairie, pled guilty yesterday to participating in a methamphetamine-distribution conspiracy throughout the New Orleans area.  Specifically, CLAUSE pled guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine. 

According to court documents, in 2016, codefendant STEVEN LYONS was a New Orleans-based drug trafficker who was receiving parcels of methamphetamine via common mail carriers.  CLAUSE would assist LYONS in receiving these packages and distributing the quantities of methamphetamine in the New Orleans area. 

For his role in the conspiracy, CLAUSE faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a maximum fine of $5,000,000 and at least four years of supervised release.  U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle set sentencing for CLAUSE on December 20, 2017.

LYONS pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 1, 2017.

Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Louisiana State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration New Orleans Division Office, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Long is in charge of the prosecution.