U.S. Courthouse

Tom Stagg United States Courthouse

SHREVEPORT – A Natchitoches man has been sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that authorities say operated across Louisiana and Texas.

Perry Willis, 37, of Natchitoches, was sentenced June 26 to 292 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

"This significant sentence reflects the serious threat this organization posed to our community and the importance of dismantling high-volume illicit drug suppliers lurking in our midst," U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller said. "This Office remains committed to protecting our communities and bringing these dangerous criminals to justice."

Federal authorities said the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating the drug trafficking organization in 2023. Through surveillance and court-authorized wiretaps, investigators identified Willis and co-defendant Daniel Efferson as members of the network.

The investigation intensified on Aug. 16, 2024, when Louisiana authorities attempted to stop Efferson near the Louisiana-Texas state line. According to the release, Efferson led officers on a vehicle chase that ended in a crash.

Investigators said they recovered about 9 kilograms of methamphetamine and 24 pounds of synthetic marijuana from the vehicle.

The investigation later expanded to Houston, where agents seized 221.5 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine disguised as bottled water. Authorities also discovered what they described as a methamphetamine conversion lab containing burners, pots and 11 kilograms of processed methamphetamine.

According to the release, the investigation linked Willis, Efferson and nine other defendants to the same drug supply network.

Others charged in the case are Efferson, 33, of Natchitoches; Jaquez Flakes, 19, of Natchitoches; Christopher Caffey, 37, of Baton Rouge; Jeffrey Flakes, 19, of Natchitoches; Joshua Hardy, 32, of Shreveport; Delannie Lee, 51, of Shreveport; Crystal Williams, 36, of Mansfield; Kellie Yates, 50, of Shreveport; Amadeo Penaloza-Meza, 22, of Houston; and Brayan Sandoval, 22, of Plain Dealing.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Moody with assistance from legal assistant Amanda Morgan.