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BOGALUSA, La. – It was announced yesterday by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans that Benjamin Holmes, a 33-year-old resident of Bogalusa, was indicted on October 12, 2023, on multiple counts of federal crimes.

According to the Department of Justice office in New Orleans, Holmes was charged with “one (1) count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(C), two (2) counts of Distribution of Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(C), one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(C), one (1) count of Possession of Firearms during a Drug Trafficking Offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A), one (1) count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), and one (1) count of Maintaining a Drug-involved Premises, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 856(a).”

According to the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, Holmes was initially booked on Sept. 17. He was, according to the indictment, using his home in Bogalusa as a base to sell fentanyl while also storing firearms and ammunition, which he had been banned from owning or possessing due to his previous felony conviction. If he is found guilty of counts 1 through 4 listed above, he will face a max of twenty years imprisonment, up to $1,000,000 in fines and a maximum of three years on supervised release.  For count 5, Holmes could receive a minimum of five years or up to life imprisonment, served consecutively, if found guilty. On count 6, he faces a maximum of fifteen years imprisonment, up to $250,000 in fines, and three years on supervised release.  Lastly, for count 7, Holmes faces a max of twenty years imprisonment, up to a $500,000 fine, and a maximum of three years on supervised release. All seven of the counts will also have a mandatory $100 special assessment fee, according to the Department of Justice.

United States Attorney Evans said that the indictment is simply a charge and that Holmes’s guilt has to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. He then acknowledged the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisiana State Police, and Bogalusa Police Department.  The Department of Justice also announced that Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit will prosecute the case.