Judge Sentences Three in Federal Drug Trafficking Cases

On October 16, 2026, United States District Judge Jerry Edwards, Jr., sentenced three individuals for their roles in separate federal drug-trafficking conspiracies in Central Louisiana. Two of the cases involved innovative drone-based smuggling operations at the United States Penitentiary in Pollock (USP-Pollock), while the third centered on a fentanyl distribution conspiracy.

Melanie Jean Worthington, 39, from Joshua, Texas, received a 70-month federal prison sentence for her involvement in a conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine and for providing contraband into a prison. Worthington had previously pled guilty to the charges on June 10, 2026. According to the U.

S. Attorney's Office, Worthington conspired to introduce more than 50 grams of methamphetamine into USP-Pollock using a drone disguised as a crow. Investigators discovered multiple crow-shaped packages containing methamphetamine, synthetic marijuana, and other contraband in her vehicle and hotel room.

Yoan Seirra Hernandez, 42, of West Park, Florida, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Hernandez admitted to planning to use a drone to deliver drugs into the prison and was found with two drones, drone equipment, and significant quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana. The Grant Parish Sheriff's Office began investigating Hernandez following a trespassing complaint near USP-Pollock, which led to the discovery of his drug smuggling operation.

Kedrick Donell Moses, 49, from Colfax, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Moses supplied fentanyl to a co-conspirator for redistribution and directed another individual to continue the distribution when the original distributor was unavailable. The conspiracy involved at least 40 grams of fentanyl and 10 grams of a fentanyl analogue.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led the investigations into these cases, which were prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorneys E.

Ashley Hammons, Robert Frank Moody, and LaDonte Murphy. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

The sentences reflect the serious nature of the offenses and the innovative methods used by the defendants to smuggle drugs into federal facilities. The U.S. Attorney's Office emphasized the commitment to prosecuting those involved in drug trafficking and protecting communities from the dangers posed by illegal drugs.