Guilty Plea in Major Cocaine and Methamphetamine Conspiracy Case

Strategic Insights -

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Dequarius Hamler, 38, of Tangipahoa Parish, pleaded guilty to all six counts of a superseding indictment, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. The charges carry significant penalties, including up to 40 years imprisonment, $5 million in fines, and four years of supervised release for the conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine charge. Sentencing is scheduled for December 9, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dequarius Hamler, 38, pleaded guilty to six counts of a superseding indictment, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
  • The charges carry significant penalties, including up to 40 years imprisonment, $5 million in fines, and four years of supervised release for the conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine charge.
  • Hamler faces up to 20 years imprisonment, $1 million in fines, and three years of supervised release for the distribution of cocaine charges.
  • He also faces up to 20 years imprisonment, $500,000 in fines, and three years of supervised release for the conspiracy to launder monetary instruments charge.
  • The investigation revealed that Hamler sold large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine to an individual he thought was a legitimate buyer on three separate occasions in 2023.
  • Bank records and financial documents showed that Hamler's girlfriend, Latijeria Martin, deposited his illegal drug trafficking proceeds into a local bank to launder them as legitimate funds.
  • Martin made numerous cash deposits totaling $454,589.10 through seven different bank accounts, often with the strong odor of marijuana.
  • Hamler submitted fraudulent IRS records to the Small Business Administration to obtain a Paycheck Protection Program loan, which he used to obtain over $19,000.
  • The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation, which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States.
  • The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.

Statistics:

  • Total amount of cash deposited and withdrawn by Martin and Hamler: $454,589.10
  • Total number of bank accounts used: 7
  • Total number of distribution occurrences: 3
  • Total amount of cocaine distributed: over 500 grams
  • Total amount of methamphetamine distributed: over 50 grams
  • Total amount of funds obtained through Paycheck Protection Program: over $19,000

Sources:

  • United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • Drug Enforcement Administration
  • Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF)
  • Small Business Administration
  • Internal Revenue Service