St. Tammany Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LARRY JAMES (“JAMES”), age 23, of Madisonville, Louisiana, pled guilty on May 21, 2024, to violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, before United States District Judge Susie Morgan.

Specifically, JAMES pled guilty to Counts 1 through 5 of the indictment pending against him. Count 1 charged him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846.  JAMES also pled guilty to three counts of distribution of fentanyl and, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, in violation of 21 United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846.

According to court documents, JAMES sold fentanyl pills to an undercover agent on August 25, 2023, September 8, 2023, and September 15, 2023.  On September 28, 2023, law enforcement searched JAMES’s residence pursuant to a state search warrant and found additional fentanyl pills, packaging materials, and two digital scales.

For Counts 1 and 4, JAMES faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least 4 years of supervised release.  For Counts 2, 3, and 5, JAMES faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least 3 years of supervised release.  For each count, JAMES, also faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.  JAMES’s sentencing is set for August 20, 2024.