Three Men Indicted for Violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced today the unsealing of a seven-count indictment charging the following individuals:

• DARRYL SUMLER, (SUMLER), age 61, of Slidell, Louisiana
• DARRYL GOODMAN, (GOODMAN), age 47, of New Orleans, Louisiana
• JASON SLAUGHTER, (SLAUGHTER), age 33, of Bogalusa, Louisiana

The indictment was returned Friday, June 26, 2025, and unsealed Wednesday, July 30, 2025, after all individuals were arrested by local law enforcement and Drug Enforcement Administration agents. All three individuals were indicted in Count 1 for Conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); § 841(b)(1)(B); and 846. If convicted of Count 1, they face a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment.

SUMLER was indicted in Counts 2, 5, 6, and 7 for distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and § 841(b)(1)(B). If convicted of any of these four counts, SUMLER faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment.

SLAUGHTER was indicted in Count 3 for possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and § 841(b)(1)(B). If convicted, he faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment.

GOODMAN was indicted in Count 4 for distribution of a quantity of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and § 841(b)(1)(C). If convicted of Count 4, he faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment. As to each count in which they are charged, SUMLER, SLAUGHTER, and GOODMAN, face payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to the indictment, beginning on a time unknown, but continuing until at least June 13, 2025, SUMLER, SLAUGHTER, and GOODMAN conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl throughout the Eastern District of Louisiana.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Acting United States Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Slidell Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver of the Narcotics Unit.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.