Dequarius Hamler, age 38, of Tangipahoa Parish, was sentenced on March 6 to 135 months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine, making false statements to the Small Business Administration, and conspiracy to launder money. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address both drug trafficking and pandemic-related financial fraud. According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating Hamler in 2022 for suspected drug trafficking activities. In 2023, Hamler sold cocaine and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine on three occasions to an individual he believed was a legitimate buyer.
Investigators found that Hamler’s girlfriend, Latijeria Martin, deposited proceeds from his drug sales into local bank accounts as part of a money laundering scheme. Between January 2021 and September 2023, Martin and Hamler made cash deposits totaling $454,589.10 through seven different bank accounts. Bank employees reported that Martin frequently visited the bank—sometimes multiple times a day—to make these deposits and withdrawals. Some of the cash reportedly smelled of marijuana. Despite being warned by bank staff that their actions constituted criminal structuring and money laundering, Hamler instructed Martin to continue depositing the funds.
A search warrant executed at Hamler’s residence led law enforcement officials to seize large amounts of illegal narcotics and financial documents. During a post-Miranda interview, Hamler admitted he had distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine and marijuana over the past decade.
Further investigation revealed that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Hamler submitted fraudulent IRS records in order to obtain more than $19,000 through the Paycheck Protection Program for a business that did not exist; he later shared this money with Martin.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit. It is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative involving resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)—which aims to combat illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime.
