Nola Reporter

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the unsealing of a thirteen-count indictment on October 9, 2024, involving multiple residents from Tangipahoa Parish. The individuals charged include John Tickles Jr., Lonnie Yancy III, Rashun Hutchinson, Robert Hines, Bryce Hightower, Ringo Mitchell Jr., and Rodney Berry.

All seven defendants face charges in Count 1 for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. This charge carries a potential penalty of at least ten years to life imprisonment, up to a $10 million fine, and a minimum of five years supervised release upon conviction.

Additional charges involve illegal use of communication facilities against Tickles Jr., Hines, Berry, Mitchell Jr., and Hightower across several counts. These charges could result in up to 20 years imprisonment and fines reaching $1 million.

Tickles Jr. faces further charges for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine across four counts. If convicted on these counts, he could face between five to forty years imprisonment and fines up to $5 million.

Hines and Hightower are charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl in Counts 4 and 13. Similarly, Mitchell Jr. and Berry face charges for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Counts 7 and 10. Convictions on these counts could also lead to sentences ranging from five to forty years imprisonment along with substantial fines.

The indictment alleges that the accused conspired over an extended period until at least September 10, 2024, using wire communications as part of their operations throughout Tangipahoa Parish.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through coordinated efforts among various agencies.

U.S. Attorney Evans commended the collaborative work by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Sarver from the Narcotics Unit is handling the prosecution.