Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging 14 Defendants with Drug Conspiracy, Racketeering, and Firearms Charges

SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, along with DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Keith Bakewell, Lincoln Parish Sheriff J. Stephen Williams, Louisiana State Police Captain Eric Cuenca, and Ruston Police Department Chief Eric Watson, have joined together in a press conference today to announce the indictment of 14 defendants on drug and firearms charges related to a drug trafficking conspiracy in the Ruston, Louisiana area.

A federal grand jury returned the indictment charging the following individuals with drug conspiracy, racketeering, and firearms charges.  The defendants named in the indictment and the charges they face are as follows:

There are two additional individuals not named above who have been charged in this indictment. We are unable to disclose their identity at this time. 

The indictment alleges that between January 1, 2022, and continuing through on or about November 27, 2024, in the Western District of Louisiana and elsewhere, the 14 defendants knowingly and intentionally conspired together to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. 

The indictment further alleges that on November 27, 2024, Cornelius Boston possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessed a Glock 9mm caliber pistol, Model 45, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and as a convicted felon.  In addition, it is alleged that on or about November 27, 2024, Shedrick Green, III knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. On or about September 10, 2024, it is also alleged that Roy Lee Williams knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

In addition to the drug conspiracy and possession charges, the indictment alleges that between on or about May 1, 2021, and on or about November 27, 2024, Tangua Raybon knowingly traveled in interstate commerce between the State of Louisiana and the State of Texas with the intent to distribute the proceeds of an unlawful activity which was the distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

The indictment includes a sentencing enhancement for Boston, Green, Askins, McMurray, Hunter, and Potts. As a result of their prior serious felony drug trafficking convictions, they are each subject to increased punishment under the criminal statute. 

If convicted, the defendants face a sentence of not less than 10 years or more than life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, or both.  

An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 

The case is being investigated by DEA, ATF, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Ruston Police Department, Sulphur Police Department, Louisiana National Guard Counterdrug Unit, Louisiana Air National Guard, and U.S. Marshals Service, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy.

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).

This ongoing investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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