A Lafourche Parish resident has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges related to a cocaine distribution conspiracy. On November 18, 2025, James Williams, 64, of Schriever, Louisiana, entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Brandon Long for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. The charges fall under Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), §§ 841(b)(1)(B), and 846.
Sentencing is set for February 24, 2025. Williams faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to forty years, as well as a fine that could reach $5 million. He also faces at least four years of supervised release after his prison term and must pay a $100 special assessment fee.
According to the indictment, Williams worked with others from an unknown date until at least May 4, 2024, to distribute cocaine throughout Lafourche Parish in the Eastern District of Louisiana. The group obtained narcotics from Houston, Texas and transported them to Thibodaux, Louisiana. The conspiracy was facilitated through wire and electronic communications.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach involving multiple agencies to target major criminal organizations in the United States. More information about the OCDETF Program is available at http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson acknowledged the efforts of several law enforcement agencies: “I want to thank the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Louisiana State Police, the Thibodaux Police Department, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.” Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot from the Narcotics Unit is prosecuting the case.