U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MICHAEL LEVERIDGE, age 45, of Dallas, Texas, pled guilty today to one count of conspiring to traffic 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. For this offense, LEVERIDGE faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum life sentence, a fine of up to $10,000,000 and at least five years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo set sentencing for LEVERIDGE on Sept. 27, 2018.
According to court documents, in 2014, during the New Orleans Decadence Festival, LEVERIDGE traveled to New Orleans with approximately 21 ounces (over one-half kilogram) of a mixture containing methamphetamine. LEVERIDGE intended to resell the methamphetamine in the New Orleans area. Agents recovered the 21 ounces of methamphetamine, along with other contraband, during a search warrant of LEVERIDGE’s room at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel in the French Quarter over Decadence Festival weekend.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
