Angola Inmate Found Guilty on Drug Conspiracy Charge

 SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Damione Brock, 42, was found guilty yesterday by a federal jury of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial.

Evidence introduced at the two-day trial revealed that in 2018, law enforcement agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into drug trafficking activities in the Plain Dealing and Springhill areas of Louisiana.  During their investigation, DEA agents sought approval to use wiretaps and were able to intercept phone calls and text messages between Brock and one of his co-defendants wherein they discussed having methamphetamine delivered to Brock at Angola. Brock, who was serving a lengthy sentence at Angola for possession of cocaine, was using a contraband cell phone to communicate with his co-defendant. Brock had arranged for the methamphetamine to be brought to him at Angola, using two couriers, one which was a female who worked at the prison as a corrections officer.

DEA agents surveilled the transportation of the methamphetamine, which was hidden in fake soda cans and was driven from Bossier City to Alexandria by one of Brock’s co-defendant/couriers. The courier put the package into the female officer/co-defendant’s vehicle, who then took the methamphetamine hidden in fake soda cans with the plan to take them with her into Angola when reporting for work. DEA agents alerted Louisiana Department of Corrections investigators to expect the female officer to try and enter the facility with the hidden narcotics. Agents were able to stop her at the gate at Angola and search the vehicle and found the methamphetamine and seized it prior to her entry into the facility.

Brock faces 10 years to life in prison and up to a $10,000,000 fine on the drug charge. Sentencing is set for August 18, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.

The DEA conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Aaron Crawford and Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.