U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MELVIN STEEN, a/k/a “SKEET,” age 35, of Slidell, and RYAN ELLENDER, age 36, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Under STEEN’s plea agreement, STEEN is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a possible fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release upon his release from prison. Pursuant to ELLENDER’s Rule 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement, which the Court may accept or reject, ELLENDER will be sentenced to a term of supervised release of between one year and five years. U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance will sentence STEEN and ELLENDER on April 19, 2017.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Louisiana State Police (LSP), and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution.