Haughton man pleads guilty to distribution of methamphetamine obtained in Dallas

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Haughton man pleaded guilty Tuesday to distribution of methamphetamine the defendant obtained in Dallas.

Jason Rich, 47, of Haughton, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents obtained information that Rich was a methamphetamine and marijuana distributer in Haughton. After conducting an investigation, agents learned that Rich may have traveled to Dallas, Texas, to obtain drugs and was on his way back. A Louisiana State Police trooper stopped Rich’s vehicle May 3, 2018 near the intersection of Interstate-220 and Louisiana Highway 80. The trooper searched the vehicle and found a semi-automatic handgun, 141.3 grams of methamphetamine, 36.5 grams of the marijuana, and three blue and white capsules containing approximately 31.1 grams of methamphetamine. Rich said he knew about the firearm and had purchased 4 ounces of methamphetamine from two different sources in the Dallas area.

Rich faces 10 years to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and up to a $10 million fine. The court set a sentencing date of September 7, 2018.

The case was investigated by the DEA and the DEA task force, which consists of state and local agencies like the Louisiana State Police and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick is prosecuting the case.