During the recent federal government shutdown, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana continued to pursue major criminal cases. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller stated, “Our Office’s support staff and prosecutors remained committed to and focused on our mission to make this community safe alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners throughout the shutdown. These dozen cases are just a sample of the impactful matters that our Office continues to prosecute, ranging from combatting child predators, to tackling violent crime, to prosecuting sophisticated frauds including bribery schemes and healthcare fraud. Our Office and partners will continue to stand firm and work tirelessly to make Louisiana a safer place to live, work, raise and family, and run a business.”
The office highlighted twelve significant prosecutions that progressed during the shutdown period:
- Boris Braggs, an elementary school teacher and pastor in Monroe, was indicted for attempted enticement of a minor after allegedly arranging online to meet someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl for sex in exchange for money. He was arrested upon arrival at a Monroe hotel.
- Willie Lee Baker of Shreveport was indicted on charges related to fentanyl distribution resulting in death or serious injury.
- Brandon Jermaine Francisco pleaded guilty to carjacking resulting in death after admitting he killed an Uber and Lyft driver in 2022. Sentencing is scheduled for January 27, 2026.
- Mahmoud Amin Ya’Qub Al-Muhtadi was arrested and indicted for alleged involvement in the Hamas-led terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, 2023.
- Three individuals—Dusty Guidry, Leonard Franques, and Joseph Prejean—were sentenced for their roles in a Lafayette-area bribery scheme involving the Pretrial Intervention Program at the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Sentences ranged from one year and one day up to four years; fines were also imposed.
- Charlie L. Simpson and Charles D. Gardner received sentences of ten years and four years respectively for conspiring to commit bank fraud through a check-kiting scheme that resulted in $3.3 million losses.
- Thomas Dewayne Dew was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine in Sabine Parish.
- Michael L. Riggins received nearly five years in prison plus restitution after pleading guilty to health care fraud connected with fraudulent durable medical equipment claims totaling over $3.8 million submitted between 2018–2023.
- Damario M. Lyons was sentenced to over 27 years following his guilty plea on methamphetamine distribution conspiracy charges involving large quantities of narcotics across Southwest Louisiana.
- Lenzi Desormeaux Babineaux received just over one year in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud tied to false claims submitted under a federal nutrition assistance program; her father and sister have also pled guilty with sentencing pending.
- Christopher Culton of Deridder received more than eleven years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography; prior convictions were noted as aggravating factors.
- Clarence Reginald Colar of Lake Charles was sentenced to ten years after being found with child pornography while serving supervised release from an earlier conviction.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reminded that indictments are allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court proceedings.
Further information about these cases can be accessed via the United States Attorney’s Office website at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla or through court records available at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer.
