NEW ORLEANS, LA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)), published as received.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – RINGO MITCHELL JR. (“MITCHELL JR.”), age 36 of Natalbany, Louisiana, pled guilty on February 27, 2025, to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act, before United States District Judge Barry Ashe, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
MITCHELL JR. pleaded guilty to Counts 1, 9, and 10 of the indictment pending against him. Count 1 charged MITCHELL JR. with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1); 841(b)(1)(A); 841(b)(1)(B); and 846. Count 9 charged MITCHELL JR. with illegal use of communications facility, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. §843(b) and Title 18, U.S.C. §2. Count 10 charged MITCHELL JR. with possessing, with intent to distribute, 50 grams or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).
On Count 1, MITCHELL JR. faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment. On Count 9, MITCHELL JR. faces up to 4 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 1 year of supervised release following imprisonment. On Count 10, MITCHELL JR. faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment. As to each count, he also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to the indictment, beginning on a time unknown but continuing until at least September 10, 2024, MITCHELL JR., and seven other individuals, conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the Tangipahoa Parish region of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The conspiracy was carried out through wire and electronic communications.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Acting United States Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver of the Narcotics Unit.
