Lafayette man pleads guilty to controlled substance, firearms offenses

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Lafayette man pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine after Lafayette Police Department officers recovered multiple controlled substances and a weapon within his residence.

Don Edmond Washington, 28, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Whitehurst to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon.  According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents searched Washington’s home on May 17, 2017 and found methamphetamine, heroin, buprenorphine, Oxycodone, Alprazolam, one HK USP compact .45 caliber pistol with one magazine, six .45 caliber rounds and $440.

Washington faces 10 years to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a $10 million fine on the controlled substance offense, and he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine related to the firearms offense. The court set a sentencing date of June 18, 2018.

The DEA, ATF, Lafayette Metro Narcotics Task Force and Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy is prosecuting the case.