A Tangipahoa Parish resident, Dequarius Hamler, age 38, has pleaded guilty to all six counts in a federal indictment involving drug trafficking, money laundering conspiracy, and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Greg Guidry on August 19, 2025. Sentencing is scheduled for December 9, 2025.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Hamler admitted to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine and a quantity of marijuana. He also pleaded guilty to distribution charges involving cocaine and methamphetamine, making false statements to the Small Business Administration (SBA), and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
The investigation began in 2022 when the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated a probe into Hamler’s activities. In 2023, he sold cocaine and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine on three occasions to an individual he believed was a legitimate buyer. Authorities discovered that Hamler directed his girlfriend, Latijeria Martin, to deposit proceeds from drug sales into local banks in an attempt to disguise the source of funds as legitimate income.
Bank records revealed that between January 1, 2021 and September 9, 2023, Martin and Hamler deposited $454,589.10 through seven different accounts—$328,159.10 under Martin’s name and $126,430 under Hamler’s name. Bank employees noted frequent deposits by Martin; some cash had a strong odor of marijuana. Staff at multiple banks warned her that these actions constituted criminal structuring or money laundering but she continued at Hamler's direction.
During a search of Hamler’s residence by law enforcement officials, significant quantities of illegal narcotics and financial documents were seized. Hamler also confessed to distributing kilogram amounts of cocaine and marijuana over ten years.
A review of financial records showed that during the Covid-19 pandemic period—which saw expanded federal relief programs—Hamler submitted fraudulent IRS documentation seeking PPP funds from the SBA for a business that did not exist. He obtained over $19,000 using these documents but used none for actual business expenses; instead he shared the funds with Martin.
"This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson in announcing the plea agreement. "OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach." Additional details about OCDETF are available at http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.
