Possession of Heroin and Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms Lands Two South Louisiana Men in Federal Prison

LAFAYETTE/LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown the sentencing of two defendants yesterday in both the Lafayette and Lake Charles Divisions of the Western District of Louisiana.

Daryl Beloney, Sr., 50, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 120 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of stolen firearm or ammunition.  On April 1, 2022, law enforcement agents with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence on Vanessa Avenue in Calcasieu Parish. During the search, agents discovered a Taurus Millennium PT 145, a Ruger P90, and a Beretta M1934 pistol, in addition to an assortment of controlled substances, including 7.4 pounds of marijuana. Beloney admitted to law enforcement agents that he possessed the firearms and that he had reasonable cause to believe that one of the firearms had been stolen and pleaded guilty to the charge on January 25, 2024.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Combined Anti-Drug Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren L. Gardner.

In a separate and unrelated case, United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Montel Joseph Wilridge, 30, of Lafayette, Louisiana, to 120 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute heroin and being a felon in possession of firearms.  On March 6, 2021, agents with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence in Lafayette. During their search, agents discovered a large amount of marijuana and other various controlled substances packaged in individual ounce bags, as well as a digital scale and three firearms. Agents later learned that the Sig Sauer P365 and Taurus Millennium pistols recovered had both been reported as stolen. Agents also recovered suspected heroin with an approximately weight of 149 grams. The suspected heroin was sent to the DEA Southeast Laboratory for testing and confirmed to be heroin with a net weight of 141.2 grams. Wilridge pleaded guilty to the two charges on December 28, 2023.

The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Casey Richmond.

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