Michael Lewis, age 44, of Thibodaux, pled guilty on March 13 before U.S. District Judge Brandon S. Long to a charge of illegal use of a communications facility to further a drug trafficking crime. The plea was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Lewis faces up to four years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to one year of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee at his sentencing scheduled for June 16.
According to court documents, Lewis conspired with others—including Linez Green and John Paul Gage Jr.—to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine throughout Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes. The conspiracy involved obtaining narcotics from Houston, Texas and transporting them to Thibodaux. Authorities said the group used wire and electronic communications as well as multiple vehicles in their activities. On several occasions, Lewis used his cell phone to help distribute methamphetamine to customers in Thibodaux. Both Green and Gage Jr. have previously pled guilty in connection with this case.
The United States Attorney’s Office commended the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisiana State Police, Thibodaux Police Department, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office for their work on the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot is prosecuting the case.
