Shreveport Reporter

Two Lake Charles men have been sentenced for drug trafficking and firearms offenses, according to United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. The sentences were handed down by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr.

Johnathan C. Norwood, aged 42, received a sentence of 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Law enforcement agents began investigating Norwood's activities in early 2023, suspecting his involvement in drug distribution within Calcasieu Parish. On April 3, 2023, a traffic stop led to his arrest under an active warrant. During the stop, agents discovered approximately 29.21 grams of cocaine and over $3,000 in cash inside his vehicle. A subsequent search of his residence revealed four firearms and ammunition, about 6,535.3 grams of cocaine, 128,923.95 grams of marijuana, over 50 hydrocodone tablets, and more than $80,000 in cash. Two of the firearms had been reported stolen.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force in Calcasieu Parish and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Danny Siefker.

Cohaynee D. Jones, aged 28, was sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. On April 20, 2022, agents executed four active arrest warrants at Jones' residence on 10th Street in Lake Charles. They found him asleep on a couch with a rifle nearby and took him into custody after discovering two additional firearms on the couch; one was reported stolen.

Jones has a prior felony conviction for aggravated battery from 2020 which prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition. Officers also searched a rental vehicle associated with Jones where they found narcotics weighing approximately 57 grams containing fentanyl.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.