John Paul Gage Jr., a 43-year-old resident of Des Allemands, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to charges related to a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. The plea was entered on January 27, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Brandon S. Long, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Gage Jr. admitted guilt to one count of conspiracy involving five kilograms or more of cocaine and an unspecified amount of methamphetamine. He also pleaded guilty to two counts related to the illegal use of communication facilities in connection with drug trafficking.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 28, 2026. For the conspiracy charge, Gage Jr. faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could receive up to life imprisonment, along with a fine that may reach $10 million and at least five years of supervised release. Each communication-related count carries up to four years in prison, fines up to $1 million each, and at least three years supervised release following imprisonment. All counts include a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
According to court documents, the drug distribution activities began at an unknown date but continued until at least June 5, 2024. Gage Jr., along with others, obtained narcotics from Houston, Texas and transported them into Thibodaux, Louisiana for distribution throughout Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes. The operation used electronic communications and multiple vehicles for transporting drugs. Gage Jr. worked with Linez Green in distributing methamphetamine and had Yolanda Tillman coordinate payments for others involved in transporting drugs; both Green and Tillman have previously pleaded guilty in this case.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling major criminal organizations through collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about OCDETF can be found at http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The investigation included efforts by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisiana State Police, Thibodaux Police Department, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot from the Narcotics Unit is prosecuting the case.
