Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexander C. Van Hook, announced that two residents of Heflin, Louisiana, Jaworski Batton, 41, and Cody Gibson, 40, have been found guilty by a federal jury in Shreveport. The charges involve conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the trial.
Court testimony revealed that Batton and Gibson conspired with Demetric Carey, their co-defendant. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation targeting suspected drug activities in Webster Parish. As part of the investigation, agents intercepted communications on Carey's phone. Surveillance of Batton in Bossier City led to a traffic stop by the Louisiana State Police, where methamphetamine and marijuana were discovered in Batton's vehicle.
Further investigations intercepted communications between Gibson and Carey discussing a drug transaction in Minden. A Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy captured video evidence of Gibson and Carey exchanging money for methamphetamine. Additional intercepted communications showed Carey selling Gibson distribution quantities of methamphetamine over several months.
Both Batton and Gibson face potential sentences ranging from five to 40 years in prison, along with fines up to $5,000,000. Sentencing is scheduled for July 15, 2025.
In connection with this case, ten other defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. These defendants include Demetric Carey, Derrick Carey, Antario Hawk, Eugene Henderson, Damien Rasco, Dana Ray, Holly Reynolds, Corey Russell, Lloyd Smith, and Norell Washington.
The DEA, Louisiana State Police, and Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. The prosecution team comprises Assistant United States Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and William C. Gaskins.
The OCDETF aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level drug traffickers and criminal organizations that pose threats to the United States, leveraging federal, state, and local law enforcement resources against criminal networks.
