Plaquemines Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking Offenses

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LESLIE PARKER, age 42, a resident of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, pled guilty on April 4, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846; use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of felonies under the Controlled Substances Act, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2; and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, a DEA investigation revealed that PARKER was involved in a narcotics distribution conspiracy with several other co-conspirators.  As part of the conspiracy, PARKER regularly distributed amounts of methamphetamine.  On October 19, 2021, officers conducted surveillance on PARKER, that ultimately led to the seizure of a bag containing 98.7 grams of crystal methamphetamine from PARKER.

For the drug conspiracy charge, PARKER faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  For use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of felonies under the Controlled Substances Act, PARKER faces up to 4 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to one year of supervised release. For possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, PARKER faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment, up to life, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  For each count, PARKER faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. 

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