ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the
resolution of three separate cases in the Alexandria Division of the Western District of Louisiana late yesterday. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell has sentenced the following defendants:
Kenneth Wayne Williams, Jr., 33, of Pineville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 180
months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on drug and firearms charges.
Williams was arrested on May 23, 2023, after a Louisiana State Police trooper stopped his vehicle for a traffic violation. When Williams exited the vehicle, the trooper observed Williams put a plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance into his pocket. After an open-air K-9 sniff of Williams’ vehicle, the dog alerted to the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of two bags of methamphetamine.
Meanwhile, a search warrant was obtained and executed at Williams’ residence. Law enforcement agents searched Williams’ room and found more than one kilogram of methamphetamine, digital scales, over $20,000 in cash, an AK-style rifle, and a Glock 22 semi-automatic pistol. The total amount of methamphetamine seized was approximately 1,305.85 grams.
Lee Ellsworth, 33, of Alexandria, was sentenced to a total of 42 months in
prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On November 16, 2022, Ellsworth was a passenger in a vehicle fleeing from an Alexandria Police Department officer. The vehicle was pursued by police across the City of Alexandria. Once the vehicle stopped, Ellsworth attempted to flee on foot, and was subsequently arrested.
Law enforcement officers found a loaded Manual Escodin revolver on his person. Ellsworth was previously convicted in the Western District of Louisiana in 2020
of being a felon in possession of a firearm and was on supervised release at the time of his arrest. As a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. As a result of this offense, Ellsworth’s supervised probation was revoked.
James Gantt, 55, of Alexandria, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for sending threatening communications to a Social Security Administrative Law Judge. On December 15, 2022, Gantt placed a handwritten letter into an authorized depository for United States Mail matter in Alexandria. The letter written and signed by Gantt contained a threat to injure the Administrative Law Judge. Gantt pleaded guilty to the charge on February 5, 2024.
