U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana

09/11/2026

Earlier this week, FBI Director Kash Patel visited with law enforcement officials from federal, state and local agencies in Louisiana to commend them for their service and to emphasize the importance of continuing their partnerships. Director Patel delivered the message that these partnerships have led to a reduction in violent crime that hasn’t been experienced in decades.
(L to R): Louisiana U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Keller and Kurt L. Wall; FBI Director Kash Patel; and Louisiana U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.

09/11/2026

Maurilio Lazcano-Vargas, age 40, of Mexico, who is present in the United States without authorization, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick to s*x trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. Edyn Efrain-Arevalo, age 53, of Guatemala, and Zabdi Guzman-Diaz, age 41, of Mexico, who are also present in the United States without authorization, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit s*x trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion.

Maurilio Lazcano-Vargas, age 40, of Mexico, who is present in the United States without authorization, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick to s*x trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. Edyn Efrain-Arevalo, age 53, of Guatemala, and Zabdi Guzman-Diaz, age 41, of Mexico, who are....

09/10/2026

A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Worlington West, age 42, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with possession with the intent to distribute co***ne and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Worlington West, age 42, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with possession with the intent to distribute co***ne and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

09/09/2026

U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall welcomed Jade Myers and Sofia Manocchio as Volunteer Legal Interns for the Fall 2026 semester. Ms. Myers is a 3L law student at Southern University Law Center, where she is a member of the Trial Advocacy Board. She will spend the semester volunteering in the office’s Criminal Division. Ms. Manocchio is a 2L law student at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, where she is a member of the Student Bar Association and the Sports, Media and Entertainment Law Society. This semester, she will work in the office’s Civil Division. Welcome to the team!

09/03/2026

GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS APPEAL OF SENTENCE OF ALBANY MAN SENTENCED TO 92 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTING NEARLY 4,000 FENTANYL PILLS

Devonte Skinner, age 34, of Albany, Louisiana, was sentenced to 92 months in federal prison following his conviction for distribution of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Kurt L. Wall.

09/03/2026

Kleider Enrique Garcia Ochoa, age 31, of Venezuela, who is present in the United States without authorization, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison following his conviction for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.

Kleider Enrique Garcia Ochoa, age 31, of Venezuela, who is present in the United States without authorization, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison following his conviction for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.

09/01/2026

Congratulations Zachary Keller, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, on your recent investiture! It was an honor standing with our state, federal, and local law enforcement partners and witnessing you take the oath. I’m excited to continue serving alongside you and U.S. Attorney David Courcelle in pursuing justice for the citizens of Louisiana.

L-R: HSI Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright, DEA Special Agent in Charge John Scott, EDLA U.S. Attorney David Courcelle, WDLA U.S. Attorney Zachary Keller, MDLA U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall, FBI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp, ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson.

08/27/2026

Francisco Javier Villanueva Castro, age 29, of Mexico, who is present in the United States without authorization, pleaded guilty before United States Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.

Francisco Javier Villanueva Castro, age 29, of Mexico, who is present in the United States without authorization, pleaded guilty before United States Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.

08/27/2026

Yesterday, U. S. Attorney Kurt Wall enjoyed the privilege of visiting with newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche. As a former federal prosecutor, A.G. Blanche has been incredibly supportive of the aggressive fight against violent crime in Louisiana and the rest of the country. We appreciate his continued commitment to continue to provide the resources needed to make our community safer.

08/24/2026

This morning, U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall welcomed Brooke Smith and William Maley as new Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Middle District of Louisiana. Ms. Smith joins our Criminal Division from the District Attorney’s Office in Calcasieu Parish. Mr. Maley comes from the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and joins our Civil Division. Welcome to the U.S. Attorney’s Office!