Several individuals from Louisiana have been sentenced to federal prison in connection with a drug trafficking operation, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. The sentences were handed down by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr., and are part of cases linked to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
James Cordell Zeno, aged 37 from Jennings, and Blaze Duhon, aged 27 from Kinder, received sentences for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Zeno was sentenced to 23 years and six months, while Duhon received a ten-year sentence. Court records revealed that in July 2022, two packages containing methamphetamine destined for Duhon’s residence were intercepted by postal inspectors. Text messages on Duhon’s phone linked him to Zeno through tracking information found on postal receipts.
Jamarcus Jamall Epps and Desmond Antoine Jackson were also implicated in the drug trafficking activities occurring in Sabine Parish. Epps sold a firearm while being prohibited due to his status as a convicted felon and was sentenced to six years and five months for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Jackson participated in the distribution of methamphetamine; he pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing after being charged with distributing at least 50 grams of pure methamphetamine.
James Spikes was involved in another controlled purchase operation involving methamphetamine which led to his indictment. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and received a ten-year prison sentence.
These cases were investigated by several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, ATF, and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted these cases under the OCDETF initiative which aims to dismantle high-level criminal networks through collaboration among various law enforcement agencies.
