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Alexandria, Louisiana - Seven members of a drug trafficking conspiracy in the Natchitoches, Louisiana area have received federal prison sentences totaling over 109 years. The Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force initiated an investigation in early March 2020, during which, substantial amounts of methamphetamine, firearms, and cash were seized.

Key Points

• The defendants include:
• • James Christopher Weeks, 51, of Montgomery, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release, pleading guilty on October 14, 2022.
  • Savannah Maria Weeks, 31, of Arcadia, received a 6-year, 6-month sentence and 5 years of supervised release after her June 29, 2022, guilty plea.
  • Eric Joseph Sandifer, 36, of Pineville, was sentenced to 10 years with 5 years supervised release, pleading guilty on November 29, 2022.
  • Ashley Danielle Dowden, 39, from Natchitoches, got 8 years and 5 years supervised release, pleading guilty on August 3, 2022.
  • Candiace Shree Bronson, 39, of Alexandria, received a 6-year, 6-month sentence and 5 years of supervised release, pleading guilty on September 26, 2022.
  • Louis Vernon Jackson, 39, of Natchitoches, was sentenced to 30 years and 10 years supervised release after an April 2023 trial conviction.
  • Adam James Johnson, 41, of Natchitoches, received 19 years and 7 months with 5 years supervised release, pleading guilty on March 16, 2023.
• J. Weeks, S. Weeks, Johnson, Jackson, and Sandifer were identified as primary methamphetamine distributors in northwest Louisiana, while Dowden and Bronson were closely associated with the drug trafficking network.
• Surveillance operations were conducted in Natchitoches and Alexandria, with additional information sourced about the defendants' activities.
• J. Weeks was incarcerated in Yazoo City Medium federal prison and managed drug operations from prison.
• On March 26, 2020, six pounds of methamphetamine was intercepted, destined for J. Weeks' mother and daughter in Arcadia. He acknowledged orchestrating the shipment and introduced his sources to Johnson for further methamphetamine purchases.
• Around the same time, agents surveilled Johnson's Natchitoches home, witnessing Dowden's arrival. Both Dowden and Johnson left separately and were subsequently stopped for a traffic violation, leading to the discovery of suspected drugs in Dowden's possession.
• A search warrant later revealed around 3,720 grams of methamphetamine hidden in Johnson's attic. Dowden had concealed two large bags of suspected methamphetamine in the attic, and she accompanied Johnson on trips to Dallas to retrieve methamphetamine in exchange for cash. Chemical analysis confirmed the substance as methamphetamine with purity levels ranging from 89.4% to 98.4%.
• On March 3, 2020, Sandifer, on supervised probation by Louisiana State Probation and Parole, was arrested on an Oklahoma drug charge. A search of his residence yielded approximately 127 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and baggies from his vehicle. Sandifer's cell phone messages indicated his involvement in methamphetamine trafficking in Natchitoches.
• On April 16, 2020, Jackson was observed at Motel 6, where search warrants revealed 34 Tramadol pills, a Marlin rifle, and a SCCY pistol, along with paperwork bearing Bronson's name.
• On May 13, 2020, S. Weeks and a male were seen at Best Western, leading to S. Weeks' traffic stop, resulting in the seizure of approximately 132 grams of confirmed 89.9% pure methamphetamine.
• A search warrant at the Best Western room, with Bronson and Jackson present, yielded around 498 grams of 92.7% pure methamphetamine, Bronson's purse, and $11,300.