On August 20, 2026, United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks sentenced Jaquez Anthony Flakes to 235 months in federal prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
With a years-long investigation, this sentencing marks the defendant finally being brought to justice. This eleven-person drug trafficking network was dismantled and brought to light during a traffic stop on August 16, 2024, near the Louisiana- Texas state line.
Louisiana State Police attempted to pull over a vehicle driven by co-conspirator Daniel Efferson. Efferson, Flakes, and co-conspirator Perry Willis fled the scene. This led to a vehicle chase that ended in a crash. Officers recovered approximately nine kilograms of methamphetamine and twenty-four pounds of synthetic marijuana from the vehicle. This incident was the primary catalyst for a broader federal investigation.
Later investigations in Texas uncovered the scale of the trafficking network: agents seized 221.5 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine disguised as bottled water and located a meth conversion lab equipped with burners, pots, and an additional 11 kilograms of processed methamphetamine.
Jaquez Anthony Flakes and the other eleven defendants have been held accountable. Previously sentenced co-conspirators are as follows: Daniel Efferson, of Natchitoches – 360 months (30 years). Christopher Caffey, of Shreveport – 262 months (over 21 years). Joshua Hardy, of Shreveport – 151 months (over 12 years). Delannie Lee, of Shreveport – 168 months (14 years). Crystal Williams, of Mansfield – 60 months (5 years). Kellie Yates, of Shreveport – 3 years' probation. Amadeo Penaloza-Meza, of Mexico – 135 months (over 11 years). Brayan Sandoval, of Mexico – 135 months (over 11 years). Jeffrey Flack, of Shreveport – 120 months (10 years). Perry Willis, of Natchitoches – 292 months (over 24 years).
Drug Enforcement Administration and Louisiana officials warn that meth remains a serious statewide threat: stimulant-related overdose deaths still account for 26.5% of all drug-involved fatalities, and rural communities have seen rising mortality as meth supplies are increasingly laced with deadly fentanyl.
“Methamphetamine continues to tear through our Louisiana communities, leaving families shattered and lives ruined,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Dismantling this 11-member conspiracy and holding them accountable for their crimes reflects our Office’s commitment, alongside our federal and state partners, to invest the resources necessary for investigating and prosecuting drug traffickers across our rural and urban communities.”
Louisiana State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorneys Robert Moody and Earl M. Campbell with assistance from Legal Assistants Amanda Morgan and Stephanie Stewart. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
