Militia leader faces gun and drug charges in Louisiana

A militia leader in Louisiana was recently indicted on criminal charges. According to the felony indictment in federal court, the 47-year-old man faces gun and drug charges, including distributing methamphetamine (three counts). The other charges include possessing and intending to distribute meth, as well as possessing a gun to commit a crime of drug trafficking.

The man was taken into custody in a town where his wife is a day care owner. Authorities said they learned about him while conducting an investigation into domestic terrorism. The man was suspected of engaging in drug dealing with large amounts of meth. He also reportedly stated that he had access to more than 80 guns.

In addition to reportedly boasting about his weapons cache, the man boasted about having enough supplies to provide 80 people with food for half a year. Police said he also claimed to have burglarized a military train. After the man sold methamphetamine to undercover agents a minimum of three times, in addition to selling an assault rifle to an agent one time, he was arrested.

If the man facing gun and drug charges in Louisiana is convicted of all of his charges, he may spend the rest of his life in prison. He may also be required to pay over $8 million in fines. Because of the serious consequences that may accompany a conviction, the man has the right to proceed to trial to fight the charges. However, depending on the strength of the evidence that the prosecution plans to provide to support the allegations, it may be in the man’s best interest to accept a plea deal if one is offered by the prosecution. A plea agreement may lead to a more lenient sentence than what would usually be rendered if a person were to be found guilty at trial.

Source: nola.com, “Louisiana militia leader indicted on drug, gun charges”, Laura Mcknight, Sept. 8, 2016