Three Louisiana residents have pleaded guilty to federal charges related to fentanyl distribution and conspiracy, according to an announcement from United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. Jessica Portway, 42, of St. John the Baptist Parish, Rachel Portway, 23, and Tyler Saladino, 25, both of Jefferson Parish, entered their pleas before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo. Jessica Portway pleaded guilty on January 7, 2026; Rachel Portway and Tyler Saladino entered their pleas on January 21.
All three defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl under Title 21 of the United States Code. They also faced charges for distribution of fentanyl. Additionally, Rachel Portway and Saladino were charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Jessica Portway faced a separate count for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Court documents indicate that in August 2023, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office began investigating an overdose death in Jefferson Parish. The investigation determined that Saladino, Rachel Portway, Jessica Portway, and others conspired to distribute fentanyl in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Authorities found that Saladino and Rachel Portway sold pills containing fentanyl to the victim in Jefferson Parish after obtaining them from Jessica Portway, who had received the pills from a source in California.
Law enforcement executed search warrants at both the shared residence of Saladino and Rachel Portway as well as at Jessica Portway’s home in LaPlace. At these locations they recovered additional pills containing fentanyl, along with LSD and methamphetamine at Jessica Portway’s residence.
Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $1 million for conspiracy and distribution charges. For certain counts, mandatory minimum sentences apply: Jessica Portway faces a minimum of ten years up to life imprisonment on one count and fines up to $10 million. All defendants face mandatory special assessment fees.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 8, 2026 for Jessica Portway and April 22 for Rachel Portway and Tyler Saladino.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Briana Williams and Andre Jones are prosecuting.
