District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington announced the court dispositions of 8 felony criminal cases that were charged in the district court. The cases involved felony charges of illegal narcotics, illegal weapons possession, and battery of a police officer.
Division “A” Judge Desiree Dyess was the presiding judge in the following cases:
Brandon Bernstine, 23, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to home invasion. The guilty plea is related to a June 2022 incident in which Berstine forcibly entered the home of a former domestic partner. Bernstine was sentenced to 6 years of incarceration.
Seankayln Chatman, 24, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Chatman was arrested in February in Natchitoches as a result of traffic stop in which narcotics and a handgun was found in the vehicle that Chatman was driving. Chatman was previously convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possession a firearm. Chatman was sentenced to 6 years of incarceration without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
Kristopher Burks, 22, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Burks was arrested by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies in June 2021 during a vehicle search in which over 15 ounces of marijuana was found in vacuum sealed packages along with other illegal narcotics. Burks was sentenced to 8 years of incarceration.
Rynell Jefferson, 23, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The guilty plea relates to March incident in which Jefferson was involved in an altercation with another person relating to obtaining a firearm. Jefferson was sentenced to 6 years of incarceration without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
Derek Nash, 22, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Nash was arrested by Natchitoches City Police during a traffic stop in which he was in possession of a handgun. Nash had been previously convicted in 2020 of possessing illegal narcotics and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. Nash was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration.
Jeremy Renya, 32, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to battery on a police officer with use of force or violence. The guilty plea is the result of an incident in which Renya battered a Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy, knocking him to the ground and causing injuries during and attempt to arrest Renya for an outstanding felony warrant. Renya was sentenced to four years of incarceration at hard labor.
Donnie Mitchell, 28, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Mitchell was arrested by Natchitoches City Police during a traffic stop in which he was in possession of a handgun. Mitchell had been previously convicted in 2017 of aggravated assault with a firearm and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. Mitchell was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration.
Shaquille Robinson, 27, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. Robinson was arrested during a traffic stop in which he was was found to be in possession of a AR-15 and illegal narcotics, marijuana and alprazolam (Xanax). Robinson was sentenced to 8 years of incarceration.
Assistant District Attorneys Cloyd Benjamin and Bray Williams prosecuted the cases.
