U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today’s unsealing of an indictment charging seven defendants in a methamphetamine-trafficking conspiracy. The indicted defendants are TYLER CONNER, age 25, of Austin, Texas, MELVIN STEEN, aka “Skeet,” age 34, of Slidell, Louisiana, ALLEN GAUTREAUX, age 35, of Lockport, Louisiana, AARON SHEEHAN, age 29, of Brooklyn, Mississippi, RYAN ELLENDER, age 39, of New Orleans, Louisiana, JOSEPH MISALE, aka “Potter,” age 31, of New Orleans, and JEREME VAUGHN, age 36, of New Orleans.
According to the one-count Indictment, defendants CONNER and VAUGHN are charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. If found guilty of this charge, CONNER and VAUGHN face a mandatory minimum of 5 years of imprisonment, a maximum 40 years of imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release.
Defendants STEEN,GAUTREAUX, SHEEHAN, ELLENDER, and MISALE are charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. If found guilty of this charge, STEEN, GAUTREAUX, SHEEHAN, ELLENDER and MISALE face a maximum 20 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and at least 3 years of supervised release.
U. S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and the Louisiana State Police (“LSP”) in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution.