The last three defendants in a fourteen-defendant methamphetamine trafficking organization were sentenced to federal prison recently. After pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, the defendants received sentences of varying lengths, with the highest reaching 27 years.
According to court documents, in February 2024, federal authorities began investigating Shedrick “Shed” Green III, 41, and Cornelius “C-Rock” Boston, 45, both of Ruston, for distributing methamphetamine in and around Ruston. As part of the investigation, agents made controlled drug purchases, obtained Title III wiretaps, subpoenaed financial records, conducted traffic stops, and carried out multiple search warrants.
The investigation revealed that the men obtained their supply of methamphetamine from two sources: Ferrano Barnes, 55, of Lodi, California, and Felipe Penaloza Gomez, 40, of Mexico. The methamphetamine was then stored and distributed from five locations in Ruston. Search warrants and CashApp records revealed coordinated payments among conspirators used to obtain, transport, and distribute the drugs. Searches ultimately led to the seizure of more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately $55,000 in cash from locations in Ruston and Sulphur.
“This case shows the power of coordinated effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement, who worked together here to dismantle a large and complex drug trafficking conspiracy devoted to poisoning our rural North Louisiana community with methamphetamine,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Our office is tirelessly working with our partners to disrupt and dismantle these networks throughout the District as part of the nationwide Operation Take Back America initiative.”
For their roles in the methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, the defendants were sentenced to the following terms of imprisonment:
Cornelius Boston, 45, of Ruston, LA 180 months
Shedrick Green, 41, of Ruston, LA 146.5 months
Landon Askins, 44, of Ruston, LA 300 months
Ferrano Barnes, 55, of Lodi, CA 168 months
Jakevdrick Carter, 35, of Ruston, LA 162 months
Reyna Chavez-Rios, 43, of Mexico 18 months
Broderick Graham, 32, of Ruston, LA 120 months
Marcus Gray, 42, of Salinas, KS 210 months
Ladavid Hunter, 38, of Jonesboro, LA 262 months
Kimoni McMurray, 47, of Ruston, LA 324 months
Jason Potts, 47, of Ruston, LA 120 months
Tangua Raybon, 57, of Winnfield, LA 40 months
Roy Lee Williams, 41, of Ruston, LA 120 months
Felipe Penaloza Gomez, 40, of Mexico Fugitive
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ruston Police Department, U.S. Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Louisiana State Police, Sulphur Police Department, Louisiana National Guard Counterdrug Unit, Louisiana Air National Guard, and U.S. Marshals Service
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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