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Demarquiez Harris, 26, a resident of Bogalusa, was sentenced on Thursday, March 3, by U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to 262 months of imprisonment and 60 months of supervised release after pleading guilty to five counts of a 12-count indictment charging him and two of his brothers with several narcotics offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

Harris pled guilty to counts 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8 of the indictment. The counts of conviction are as follows:

• Count 1 — Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
• Count 4 — Distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
• Count 6 — Distribution of a quantity of cocaine base.
• Count 7 — Distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
• Count 8 — Distribution of quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, special agents with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives identified Harris’ brother Trevion Harris as a methamphetamine trafficker in Bogalusa. Beginning in November of 2018 through May 1, 2019, special agents successfully purchased methamphetamine from Harris and his brothers, Jonzarrion and Demarquiez Harris, in amounts ranging from two grams to as many as eight ounces.

In addition to his terms of imprisonment and supervised release, Harris must pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $500.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Bogalusa Police Department as part of an extensive investigation of individuals suspected of trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and/or firearms in the Bogalusa area. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney André Jones.