Jarrell M. Palmer, a 44-year-old resident of Jonesboro, Louisiana, has been sentenced to over 15 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty handed down the sentence of 188 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
The case began in April 2023 when agents from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted a suspicious package sent from California to an address in Jonesboro. A narcotic-detecting K-9 alerted agents to the presence of drugs inside the package. Upon obtaining a warrant, agents discovered several jigsaw puzzle boxes containing Ziplock-style bags wrapped in plastic wrap and carbon paper. These bags held more than 5,000 pills suspected to be fake oxycodone tablets. Chemical analysis confirmed that the pills contained fentanyl and weighed approximately 552.5 grams.
Law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the package to the specified address in Jonesboro. Agents observed Palmer's mother retrieve the package and take it inside their home. After sensors indicated that the package had been opened, agents executed a search warrant at the residence, finding Palmer outside and arresting him with residue on his hands from spray added by law enforcement for tracking purposes.
Inside the home, agents found the suspicious package with jigsaw puzzle boxes containing fentanyl, as well as marijuana and a digital scale. Palmer admitted ownership of the package and confessed to selling the pills to others. He pleaded guilty on December 12, 2023.
The investigation was carried out by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Metro Narcotics Unit in Monroe. Assistant United States Attorney Mike Shannon prosecuted the case.