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FERRIDAY, La. — This week, 13 people were indicted on federal drug trafficking charges and an additional 15 were arrested at the state level after a multi-agency investigation into drug trafficking in Concordia and Rapides parishes.

More than 100 local, state and federal agents swarmed the Ferriday area Thursday morning in an effort to serve nearly 30 state and federal indictments. As part of this investigation, approximately 40 pounds of methamphetamine was seized, U.S. Attorney Brandon Bonaparte Brown of the Western District of Louisiana said at a press conference Thursday.

One of the 13 individuals charged federally, Zamarion Demon Rosenthal, remains a fugitive. Those who know the whereabouts of Rosenthal are asked to notify the FBI, Louisiana State Police, or Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Rosenthal, 30, of Ferriday, is wanted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Brown described a two-year investigation that led to the 13 federal indictments over the past week.

“These individuals conspired to distribute and possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine within the Western District of Louisiana and more specifically, the Rapides and Concordia Parish areas and all points in between,” Brown said.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the FBI New Orleans Field Office, Louisiana State Police and Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, began an investigation of drug trafficked in and around Ferriday in November of 2022. Investigators were able to tap into the cell phones of several individuals involved in this trafficking scheme, which led to the discovery of a drug operation “spanning multiple states and involving individuals from this area as far as the West Coast,” Brown said.

As a result, the following individuals were indicted on federal charges and are held in Concordia Parish without bond:

• Henry M. Jefferson Sr., 47, of Katy, Texas, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jefferson Sr. also has an enhancement for a prior federal drug trafficking conviction.
• Henry M. Jefferson Jr., 30, of Katy Texas, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.
• Michael Thompson, 26, of Ferriday, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Tommy L. Piercefield, 45, of Ferriday, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Tony L. Bethley, 28, of Ferriday, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Terrell Harbor, 43, of Ferriday, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Ramon Martin, 30, of Ferriday, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Donteale Carter, 27, of Ferriday, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Carter also has an enhancement for a prior state conviction of manslaughter.
• Selena Walker, 48, of Vidalia, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Gerald White, 50, of Ridgecrest, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Bradley Welch, 38, of Ridgecrest, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Jamari Randall, 25, of Vidalia, for charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

If convicted, Henry M. Jefferson, Sr. and Donteale Carter each face a sentence of 15 years to life in prison due to the enhancement. The remaining 11 defendants each face a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, Brown said.

“It is our duty as law enforcement agencies to work diligently together to try and put a stop to these drugs entering our communities. The indictment of these 13 individuals is the result of a long-term investigation that could not have happened without the cooperation and support of local, state and federal law enforcement. This is an ongoing investigation, and we are committed to continuing our joint efforts to keep these drugs off of our streets,” he said.

Concordia Parish Sheriff David Hedrick added, “We will continue to work diligently to remove those dealing drugs from our parish. Their actions negatively impact our youth, our families and our communities and we will not look the other way and allow this activity to occur. I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, Louisiana State Police, and the CPSO Narcotics Unit for their relentless efforts during this two-year endeavor.”

In closing, Brown addressed an overall uptick of people in possession of illegal Glock switches and machine gun conversion devices “from here all the way up to Lake Providence.”

“Illegally carrying a loaded gun and threatening those around you is not an acceptable behavior and of course can result in loss of innocent lives. Possession of Glock switches, auto receivers and other conversion devices is illegal and will not be tolerated. We will prosecute those we find in possession of those items federally … I suggest that you ditch the switch.”

He added that the investigation “was not about weapons” and that none were seized as part of this investigation of drug trafficking.