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Date: 07-07-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 1:20-cr-00082-TH
Judge: Thad Heartfield
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Jefferson County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Beaumont, Texas drug distribution charge criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant, Shane Louque, who was charged with conspiring with members of the Aryan Circle (AC) and others to sell methamphetamine.
Shane Louque, 46, of Gonzales, purchased substantial quantities of methamphetamine – at least two kilograms – from an AC member based in the Houston area over a number of occasions in 2016. Louque then personally distributed the methamphetamine to other buyers in Louisiana. While Louque himself is not known to be an AC member, the drug conspiracy was uncovered as part of Operation Noble Virtue, an investigation into the AC that has targeted AC leadership. Previously entering guilty pleas as part of this conspiracy were Jeremy Klintman, 38, of Texas; Eulalio Torres-Cadenas, 43, of Mexico; and Breanna Beckley, 40, of Texas.
Louque pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum prison sentence of life. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Eastern District of Texas made the announcement.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Trial Attorneys Alexander Gottfried and Bethany Lipman of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Rapp for the Eastern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
CONSPIRACY TO POSSESS WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (METHAMPHETAMINE) - CRIMINAL FORFEITURE
(1)
Outcome: 07/06/2021 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin:Change of Plea Hearing as to Shane Louque held on 7/6/2021. Defendant appeared before the court with counsel, Dustin Galmor. Defendant was sworn, advised of his rights, charges and penalties. Court reviewed the plea agreement, addendum, factual and elements in open court. Defendant entered a plea of GUILTY as to Count 1. Court will enter a report and recommendation. Defendant remains released on bond and conditions. (Court Time: 3:18-3:33 p.m.)(Appearances: C. Rapp, AUSA: D. Galmor) (Courtroom Deputy/FTR OP: Sherre White.) (saw, ) (Entered: 07/06/2021)
07/06/2021 93 CONSENT to Administration of Guilty Plea and Fed.R.Crim.P.11 Allocution by U.S. Magistrate Judge by Shane Louque (saw, ) (Entered: 07/06/2021)
07/06/2021 94 SEALED PLEA AGREEMENT as to Shane Louque (saw, ) (Entered: 07/06/2021)
07/06/2021 96 Factual Basis by USA as to Shane Louque. (saw, ) (Entered: 07/06/2021)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: