ALEXANDRIA – On August 4, 2026, United States District Judge Jerry Edwards, Jr., sentenced Dequavious Wagner, 32, of Alexandria, to 270 months in federal prison after he pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking. He also received five years of supervised release after his sentence is served.
According to court records, in early May 2025, the Rapids Parish Sheriff’s Office (RPSO) was investigating Wagner for illegal drug trafficking. As part of that investigation, RPSO identified a white Ram 2500 as a vehicle being used by Wagner. On May 6, 2025, RPSO deputies conducted a traffic stop of Wagner in the Ram 2500. The stop led to a search of the vehicle, resulting in the discovery of an aftermarket compartment welded to the undercarriage of the truck. Inside the compartment were more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl pills, and marijuana.
RPSO deputies later executed a search warrant at Wagner’s residence in Alexandria. Inside his bedroom, deputies located approximately four pounds of fentanyl, one and one-half pounds of methamphetamine, and a loaded pistol. Laboratory testing confirmed the substances as fentanyl and methamphetamine. Wagner admitted he possessed the drugs with intent to distribute, and that he possessed the loaded firearm as part of his drug-trafficking activities.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and RPSO investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Emily Favrot.
This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America (TBA), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s agencies, and coordinates efforts with state and local law enforcement and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF), ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. Learn more about PSN at https://www.justice.gov/psn.