The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office was among several law enforcement agencies involved in a federal investigation that resulted in a Leesville man receiving more than 14 years in federal prison for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, Earl Thompson, also known as “Nook,” 45, of Leesville, was sentenced Sept. 1 by U.S. District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to 174 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Thompson previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Federal prosecutors said the case stemmed from an investigation launched in 2024 by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies into a multi-parish drug trafficking organization operating throughout Vernon Parish and Central Louisiana.
Eleven defendants were indicted Jan. 21, 2026, in connection with a network authorities said was responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine.
Court documents showed Thompson conspired with 12 others between July 11 and Nov. 2, 2025, to obtain distribution-level quantities of methamphetamine for resale in and around Vernon Parish. Investigators determined that one of Thompson’s co-conspirators delivered 10 pounds of methamphetamine to him on July 25, 2025. Thompson later admitted the methamphetamine involved in the conspiracy was intended for distribution, according to federal prosecutors.
“Traffickers of methamphetamine and fentanyl have no place in our society, and justice demands punishment that reflects their total disregard of the lives, the families, and the communities that they devastate,” U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller said.
The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office participated in the investigation along with the Vernon, Rapides and Grant parish sheriff’s offices, Louisiana State Police, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
Federal officials announced the sentencing Friday, Sept. 11. The prosecution was conducted as part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, an interagency effort targeting criminal organizations and trafficking networks.