Three Federal Defendants Sentenced in Separate Drug Conspiracy Cases in Central Louisiana

ALEXANDRIA - On October 16, 2026, United States District Judge Jerry Edwards, Jr., sentenced three defendants for federal drug-trafficking offenses, two of which involved drone-based smuggling operations at the United States Penitentiary in Pollock (USP-Pollock), and one involving a fentanyl-distribution conspiracy.

Melanie Jean Worthington, 39, of Joshua, Texas, was sentenced to 70 months (almost six years) in federal prison for Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and Providing Contraband into Prison. She previously pled guilty to the charge on June 10, 2026.

Yoan Seirra Hernandez, 42, of West Park, Florida, was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in federal prison for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. He previously pled guilty to the charge on June 26, 2026.

Kedrick Donell Moses, 49, of Colfax, was sentenced to 78 months (over six years) in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. He previously pled guilty to the charge on June 11, 2026.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.

WORTHINGTON
According to court documents, on March 8, 2026, Worthington conspired with another to possess and distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, and to introduce that methamphetamine into USP-Pollock using a drone. The package was designed to look like a crow and contained more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. In the early morning, investigators received reports of drone activity near the facility. Detectives located a vehicle occupied by Worthington and a co-conspirator in which a drone box and a drone remote-control device attached to a cell phone were found. A search of the vehicle further revealed a crow-shaped package containing cigars, tobacco, and synthetic-marijuana-soaked papers. Penitentiary staff located a second crow-shaped package containing more than 100 grams of methamphetamine, bundles believed to be THC concentrate, charging cords, SIM cards, and wireless earbuds. A search of Worthington's hotel room revealed a third crow-shaped package along with rolling papers, charging cords, cell phones, and tobacco.

The "crow" drone and other evidence is depicted below:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Task Force and staff at USP-Pollock investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Ashley Hammons, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Denise Duhon.

HERNANDEZ
According to court documents, on December 6, 2024, the Grant Parish Sheriff's Office (GPSO) began investigating a trespassing complaint near USP-Pollock. Surveillance cameras captured three individuals walking along the property line at approximately 4:30 a.m. with one appearing to carry a drone. Deputies later located Hernandez at a nearby Airbnb after the property owner reported suspicious activity. Officers were informed that a drone had been observed flying in the same area earlier that morning. After deputies executed a search warrant, they discovered a co-conspirator hiding inside the residence. The search revealed two drones, drone equipment, methamphetamine, marijuana, a 9mm handgun, artificial turf to disguise packages, packaging materials, additional methamphetamine and packaged cellphones in a rental vehicle outside. Laboratory testing confirmed that 776 grams of the recovered methamphetamine was 98 percent pure, with approximately two additional kilograms recovered of lesser purity, along with six pounds of marijuana and 50 sheets of suspected K2. Hernandez admitted that he intended to operate a drone to deliver drugs into the prison and then receive a percentage of the drug trafficking proceeds.

The FBI, GPSO, Pollock Police Department, and staff at USP-Pollock investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Frank Moody, with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.

MOSES
According to court documents, between January 1 and May 21, 2025, Moses conspired with others to distribute fentanyl throughout the Western District of Louisiana. During the conspiracy, Moses supplied fentanyl to a co-conspirator for redistribution, and when that individual was unavailable, Moses directed another individual to conduct the distribution instead. Moses admitted the conspiracy involved at least 40 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, and at least 10 grams of a mixture containing a fentanyl analogue (a chemical derivative of the drug).

FBI investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte Murphy with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America,Links to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigrants, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime and human and drug trafficking.

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under the following case numbers:

Hernandez- 1:25-cr-00234-02
Moses - 1:25-cr-00346-01
Worthington - 1:26-cr-00155-02

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