Two Convicted Felons Sentenced to Lengthy Federal Prison Terms for Gun and Drug Crimes

BATON ROUGE, LA – Acting United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson announced today the sentencings of two defendants with prior felony convictions for federal firearms and narcotics crimes.

United States v. Leo F. Haymond, III

In the first case, Chief United States District Court Judge Brian A. Jackson has sentenced LEO F. HAYMOND, III, 37, to serve 116 months in federal prison following his convictions for federal firearm, drug, and other violations.  HAYMOND was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment, forfeit all property involved in his crimes, and pay a $200 special assessment.

HAYMOND was charged earlier this year in a multi-count indictment with federal firearm and drug offenses.  On June 15, 2017, HAYMOND pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession with intent to distribute heroin.  In his plea agreement, HAYMOND admitted that he sold significant amounts of  drugs, and that he possessed a Glock, model 30, .45 caliber pistol to further his drug trafficking.

HAYMOND previously was ordered to serve a 63-month term of imprisonment, and a 3-year term of supervised release, following a 2011 conviction for distribution of cocaine base in the Middle District of Louisiana.  The terms of his supervised release barred HAYMOND from committing another federal, state, or local crime.  During yesterday’s hearing, however, HAYMOND admitted that he committed the above offenses while serving out his term of supervised release.

This matter was handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Rezaei.

United States v. Tarzareo L. Jones

In the second case, Chief United States District Court Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced TARZAREO L. JONES, age 27, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 70 months in federal prison as a result of his conviction for possessing a firearm while a convicted felon.  The Court further sentenced JONES to three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.

On January 8, 2017, a Louisiana State University Police Department Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by JONES near the LSU campus, but the vehicle did not immediately stop.  After a brief car and foot pursuit, JONES was stopped and taken into custody.  The officer recovered a .9mm pistol near the vehicle, which the officer had observed JONES discard, along with ammunition matching the caliber of the firearm inside the vehicle.  An investigation of the firearm revealed that it had been reported stolen from an evidence room at the old Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office.  JONES had previously been convicted of attempted illegal carrying of a firearm and illegal use of a weapon, both felony offenses.  On June 14, 2017, JONES pled guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

This matter is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Louisiana State University Police Department, with the cooperation of the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office.  The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Demetrius D. Sumner.

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Acting U.S. Attorney Amundson stated, “In the HAYMOND case, we have sent a strong message about our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to get an armed drug trafficker off of our streets.  Similarly, in the JONES case, it is not difficult to imagine the real danger the defendant’s decision to flee a lawful traffic stop posed to others that night.  I sincerely appreciate the hard work by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, the LSU Police Department, and the ATF in bringing these defendants to justice.”

ATF Resident Agent-in-Charge Antonio L. Pittman stated: “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local partners to provide a safe environment for everyone to live.  ATF is proud to work with the United States Attorney’s Office to take a potentially violent offender from our streets and neighborhoods.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office—Violent Crime Initiative

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Earlier this month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana launched an initiative targeting violent crime in and around Baton Rouge.  The initiative accelerates the focus on federal gun prosecutions and places an emphasis on using federal tools to pursue violent offenders and drug traffickers.  The initiative brings together resources from Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Organized Crime and Gang Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the Baton Rouge Police Department, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, the Louisiana State Police, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Constable’s Office.

Through a newly-created Violent Criminal Enterprises Strike Force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is targeting and attacking the most violent groups in our area.  For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Strike Force, please contact Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Dippel, who serves as a Deputy Criminal Chief within the USAO, at (225) 389-0443.