Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced Friday that multiple people were sentenced for their roles in distributing illegal drugs in Acadiana.
The sentencing came after convictions following a long term investigation into drug trafficking and violent criminal activity in an area near the dead end of Delord Street in Lafayette.
Carroll Griffin, 34, of Lafayette was sentenced to 72 months in prison and three years of supervised release; Joshua Griffin, 35, of Lafayette, was sentenced and 36 months in prison and five years of supervised release; and Ashton Ventroy, 28, of Carencro, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and four years of supervised release. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced them on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to documents filed in the case, Joshua Griffin, Ventroy and others conspired to distribute crack cocaine in the area known as the “dead end” at the end of Delord Street in Lafayette. Carroll Griffin conspired to distribute methamphetamine. Law enforcement agents investigated the unlawful narcotics activity as well as violence in the area and firearms offenses.
“The defendants in this case were a blight on the Lafayette community who used extreme violence to further their drug trade,” Van Hook stated. “The charges brought and the sentences imposed show our unwavering commitment to protect the community from violent drug traffickers. We appreciate the hard work of our law enforcement partners who helped bring these criminals to justice.”
“Today’s harsh sentences handed down to these three defendants, as well as the lengthy federal sentences given to their co-conspirators within the last several months, should send a clear message to criminals that law enforcement officials in Lafayette will not tolerate narcotics trafficking in their community,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeff Sallet of
the New Orleans Division. “This case is yet another great example of federal, state and local law enforcement collaboration to identify and eradicate this illicit activity in the Lafayette area.”
As a result of the investigation, multiple defendants were prosecuted and received terms of incarceration including:
Alvontre Griffin, 21, of Lafayette, sentenced on May 5 to 97 months in prison and four years of supervised release for conspiracy and possession of a stolen firearm.
Jeremy Tyler, 30, of Rayne, La., sentenced on June 17 to 86 months in prison and four years of supervised release for conspiracy.
Chester Tyler, 20, of Lafayette, sentenced on June 17 to four years of probation for unlawful use of a communication facility.
Nathan George, 35, of Lafayette, sentenced on June 17 to 60 months in prison and four years of supervised release for conspiracy.
Ronnie Thomas, 37, of Lafayette, sentenced on June 17 to 12 months and one day in prison and three years of supervised release for maintaining a premises for the purpose of distribution of controlled substances.
Johnny Huntley, 23, of Duson, sentenced on June 17 to 24 months in prison and four years of supervised release for possession of a stolen firearm.
These convictions resulted from a multi-agency 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 prosecuted the case.