Final Two Defendants In Multi-State Methamphetamine Ring Sentenced To Federal Prison

BATON ROUGE, LA – Acting United States Attorney Corey Amundson announced the final two sentencings in a federal prosecution aimed at a drug trafficking organization that operated in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. On Wednesday, August 23, 2017, TIMOTHY ROUSSEL, age 38, of Saint Amant, Louisiana, and BRANDON BOURGEOIS, age 43, of Baker, Louisiana, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge James J. Brady for their roles in the drug ring.

These defendants were prosecuted as part of an investigation targeting methamphetamine traffickers operating in and around Baton Rouge. The investigation resulted in federal charges against 15 individuals for federal narcotics violations, including, among others, conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy. The leaders of the organization were convicted and sentenced as follows:

• RANDY TIBBITS BROWN, a.k.a. Randall Brown, age 37, of Powder Springs, Georgia, was sentenced on February 2, 2017, to serve 15 years in federal prison following his convictions for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy.

   

• TRAYMONDA OWENS, a.k.a. Traymonda Jarmichael Owens, age 26, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced on October 13, 2016, to serve 10 years in federal prison following his convictions for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of substance containing methamphetamine, and using a communications facility to facilitate these crimes.

   

• TONYA C. BRELAND, a.k.a. Tonya Crawford, age 43, of Pride, Louisiana, was sentenced on June 15, 2017, to serve 5 years in prison following her convictions for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and using a communications facility to facilitate these crimes.

Yesterday, Judge Brady sentenced BOURGEOIS to serve 18 months in federal prison and sentenced ROUSSEL to serve 366 days in federal prison for their roles in the drug trafficking ring. In all, through the investigation, 9 defendants were sentenced to prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Amundson stated, “By successfully pursuing and prosecuting leaders and facilitators of this multi-state drug trafficking group, a group responsible for poisoning our community has been neutralized. Indeed, the enforcement of our federal drug laws must be a significant part of any solution to our current epidemic. I greatly appreciate the dedicated efforts of the prosecutors and agents who contributed to this important operation.”

"These sentencings today deliver a strong message to all who engage in the distribution of illegal drugs that we will work together to see that you are brought to justice. Federal and local law enforcement successfully collaborated in order to put these individuals in federal prison as a result of their desire to supply the citizens of Baton Rouge with methamphetamine,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Brad L. Byerley.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Piedrahita, Kevin Sanchez, and Ryan Rezaei.