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Press Release

Investigation leads to federal narcotics and firearms indictment

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Louisiana
Indictment charges 11 following long-term investigation

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced the indictment of 11 Lafayette-area residents on charges for a variety of narcotics and firearms offenses.

Those named in the 23-count indictment unsealed February 22, 2016 are:

Carroll Griffin, 32, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, five counts of unlawful use of a communication facility, one count of maintaining a premises for the purpose of distribution of controlled substances, and one count of possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Joshua Griffin, 33, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, three counts of distribution of cocaine base, four counts of unlawful use of a communication facility, and one count of maintaining a premises for the purpose of distribution of controlled substances.

Alvontre Griffin, 19, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, four counts of unlawful use of a communication facility, one count of possession of a stolen firearm, and one count of maintaining a premises for the purpose of distribution of controlled substances.

Jeremy Tyler, 29, of Rayne, La., is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and one count of unlawful use of a communication facility.

Chester Tyler, 20, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and one count of unlawful use of a communication facility.

Josh Tyler, 33, of Scott, La., is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of unlawful use of a communication facility.

Nathan George, 34, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of unlawful use of a communication facility.

Ronnie Thomas, 35, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of unlawful use of a communication facility, and one count of distribution of cocaine base.

Ashton Ventroy, 26, of Lafayette, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of unlawful use of a communication facility.

London West, 25, of Duson, La., is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of unlawful use of a communication facility, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.

Johnny Huntley, 21, of Duson, is charge with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.

The defendants face various possible penalties depending on the drug quantity involved, their role in the charged offense, and their criminal histories.

The charges resulted from a long-term investigation coordinated by the FBI’s Lafayette Resident Agency Safe Streets Gang Task Force.  The FBI, ATF, Lafayette Metro Narcotics Unit, Lafayette Police Department, Lafayette Sheriff’s Office, St. Landry Sheriff’s Office, St. Mary Sheriff’s Office, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana National Guard Counter Drug Unit participated in the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert C. Abendroth and Kelly Uebinger are prosecuting the case.      

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Updated March 15, 2016