North Louisiana Men Sentenced on Illegal Possession of Drug and Firearm Charges
MONROE, La. — U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two North Louisiana men were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty on drug and firearms charges.
Nicholas D. Moore, 31, of Ruston, was sentenced to 132 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Between August 2022 and January 2023, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office performed five controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Moore. The purchased narcotics were sent to the DEA laboratory for analysis and the results came back that they were methamphetamine. Law enforcement agents subsequently obtained a search warrant for a residence in Ruston where Moore had lived for several days. During the execution of the search warrant, agents discovered multiple bags of methamphetamine, small bags of cocaine and marijuana, and over $8,000 in cash. The seized narcotics were tested at the DEA laboratory and determined to contain methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the DEA and Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.
Demartinas Edwards, 42, of Monroe, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. In addition, Edwards was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000. According to information presented in court, on November 30, 2022, officers with the Monroe Police Department’s HEAT Team obtained a search warrant for a residence in Monroe and Edwards was found on the premises. Edwards had an outstanding warrant and was arrested at that time. Inside the residence, officers found a firearm in the bedroom along with other possessions that belonged to Edwards. He later admitted to officers that the firearm belonged to him and that he had found it on the street. Because of Edwards’ prior felony conviction, he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Edwards pleaded guilty to the charge of being a felon in possession of firearms on December 8, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Monroe Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody.
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