Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced the indictment of Jamar Howard, 38, and Charenyia Carmouche, 31, both from Slidell, Louisiana. The twelve-count indictment was unsealed on May 30, 2025. Charges include conspiracy to commit offenses, wire fraud, false statements in loan applications, money laundering, and violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
The indictment alleges that between 2023 and 2024, Howard and Carmouche submitted fraudulent loan applications using false tax documents. Howard is accused of submitting altered bank statements for loans in his name and for his business, Marathon Expedited Trucking. Once approved, funds were deposited into their accounts for personal use.
Carmouche allegedly engaged in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property exceeding $10,000. Furthermore, records indicate that by March 26, 2024, Howard conspired to distribute over 100 grams of carfentanil.
If convicted of conspiracy to commit offenses, both face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Wire fraud charges could result in a maximum of twenty years imprisonment for Howard. False statement convictions carry up to thirty years imprisonment and a $1 million fine for both defendants. Money laundering could lead to ten years imprisonment for Carmouche. For conspiracy related to carfentanil distribution, Howard faces a minimum ten-year sentence with potential life imprisonment.
Defendants also face a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count. Simpson emphasized that an indictment is merely a charge requiring proof beyond reasonable doubt.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Williams from the Narcotics Unit.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational crime through Department of Justice resources.
