Shreveport Reporter

A federal jury in Monroe, Louisiana, has found Derrick Long, also known as "Deelong," guilty of drug trafficking. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown following a two-day trial overseen by Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty.

Long, 44, was indicted in August 2024 along with six other co-defendants on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. Evidence presented at the trial revealed that from January 2023 through July 2023, Long collaborated with James Ard, Trentin Demond Parks, and Brandon Wright to distribute methamphetamine in the Monroe area.

Law enforcement initiated an investigation into the group's activities and conducted multiple narcotics purchases from Long and Ard. Trial evidence showed that Ard instructed their source to contact Long about methamphetamine transactions. Agents received approval for wiretap surveillance on Ard’s phone and intercepted conversations between Long and his co-defendants discussing procurement and distribution logistics for the drugs from Texas to Monroe.

The investigation led to the arrest of Long and his associates during drug transactions at Ard's residence. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Samuel Crichton.

Long now faces a potential sentence ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, along with three years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000. His co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are set for sentencing in early 2025.

The case involved collaborative efforts by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Monroe Police Department, and Metro Narcotics Task Force.