Ruston Area Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization Dismantled

SHREVEPORT - In June 2026, the last three defendants in a fourteen-defendant methamphetamine trafficking organization were sentenced to federal prison. After pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, the defendants received sentences of varying lengths, with the highest reaching 27 years.

According to court documents, in February 2024, federal authorities began investigating Shedrick Green III, 41, and Cornelius Boston, 45, for distributing methamphetamine in and around Ruston, Louisiana. As part of the investigation, agents made controlled drug purchases, obtained Title III wiretaps, subpoenaed financial records, conducted traffic stops, and carried out multiple search warrants. The investigation revealed that the men obtained their supply of methamphetamine from two sources: Ferrano Barnes, 55, of Lodi, California, and Felipe Penaloza Gomez, 40, of Mexico. The methamphetamine was then stored and distributed from five locations in Ruston. Search warrants and CashApp records revealed coordinated payments among conspirators used to obtain, transport, and distribute the drugs. Searches ultimately led to the seizure of more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately $55,000 in cash from locations in Ruston and Sulphur.

"This case shows the power of coordinated effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement, who worked together here to dismantle a large and complex drug trafficking conspiracy devoted to poisoning our rural North Louisiana community with methamphetamine," said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. "Our Office is tirelessly working with our partners to disrupt and dismantle these networks throughout the District as part of the nationwide Operation Take Back America initiative."

For their roles in the methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, the defendants were sentenced to the following terms of imprisonment:

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Lincoln Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, Ruston Police Department, Sulphur Police Department, Louisiana National Guard Counterdrug Unit, Louisiana Air National Guard, and U.S. Marshals Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Cassidy and Elliott Cassidy with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Emily Favrot.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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 Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 24-cr-00264-01.

##

CONTACT: Public Affairs

United States Attorney's Office

Western District of Louisiana

[email protected]

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla

Twitter @USAO_WDLA