District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington announced the guilty plea and sentencing in a fentanyl possession case.
Antonio Hudson, 31, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty on September 9 to possession with intent to distribute between fentanyl.
Hudson entered the guilty plea prior to an upcoming jury trial in Division A of the 10th Judicial District Court. He was sentenced to 30 years at hard labor with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
The guilty plea and sentencing relates to Hudson’s 2025 indictment for possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. The case followed an extensive investigation by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives into illegal narcotics being brought into Natchitoches Parish.
During the investigation, detectives developed evidence that led to a search warrant for Hudson’s residence on Alex Avenue in Natchitoches. During the search, investigators recovered a large amount of fentanyl along with a metal press used to process the drug for distribution.
“Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous and lethal opioid, and the amount involved in this case presented a serious threat to the people of Natchitoches Parish,” Harrington said. “We recognize the devastating effects opioid addiction has had on individuals and families, and our community stands prepared to help those who are struggling with addiction and want treatment. But there is a clear distinction between those seeking help and those who choose to distribute fentanyl and other opioids for profit and poison our community.”
“The illegal distribution of fentanyl and other opioids is a serious matter, and considering the amount of fentanyl involved in this case and the danger it presented, the 30-year sentence imposed by the court is appropriate,” Harrington continued. “We commend the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives and law enforcement officers whose diligent work helped remove these dangerous illegal narcotics from our community and stop their distribution in Natchitoches Parish.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bray Williams for the District Attorney’s Office. Judge Desiree Dyess presided over the case.