A Tangipahoa Parish resident has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder monetary funds, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Latijeria Martin, 38, entered her plea before U.S. District Judge Greg Guidry on August 12, 2025. Sentencing is set for December 9, 2025. Martin faces a maximum of twenty years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Authorities began investigating Martin’s boyfriend, Dequarius Hamler, in 2022 as part of a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) probe into drug trafficking activities. According to court documents, law enforcement believed Hamler directed Martin to deposit proceeds from illegal drug sales into local bank accounts in order to disguise the money as legitimate income.
Between January 1, 2021 and September 9, 2023, Martin and Hamler deposited a total of $454,589.10 through seven different bank accounts. Of this amount, deposits under Martin’s name totaled $328,159.10 while those under Hamler’s name reached $126,430. The investigation found that Martin made these transactions at Hamler’s direction and was aware that the funds originated from his drug dealing activities.
Bank employees reported that Martin frequently visited their branches—sometimes multiple times per day—to make cash deposits and withdrawals. Staff also noted that some cash deposits had a strong odor and residue of marijuana. At one point, a bank employee informed Martin that her actions constituted criminal structuring and money laundering; she relayed this warning to Hamler but continued making transactions as instructed.
The case was investigated by the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation—a federal initiative aimed at identifying and dismantling high-level criminal organizations using coordinated efforts among prosecutors and agencies nationwide. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
