On June 27, 2024, Michael Duplessis of 11189 Rip Duplessis Rd. Gonzales, LA, age 41, pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession or Introduction of Contraband into a Correctional Institution. Duplessis was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Charles “Chuck” Long, Robin O’Bannon, and Kristen Tregre. Presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge James Kuhn. This guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors in connection with a 2023 arrest. 

        On February 11, 2023, shortly after 3:00 am, officers with the Gonzales Police Department responded to an area convenience store in reference to a theft complaint. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the store clerk who advised that a white male subject entered the store and attempted to purchase a beer. The clerk advised that the store was unable to sell alcoholic beverages after 2:00 am. The male subject proceeded to drink the beer in the store before attempting to leave. The male subject who was identified as Michael Duplessis, was still on scene after officers arrived. Duplessis was detained and ultimately transported to the Ascension Parish Jail. Upon arriving at the jail, officers located large quantities of fentanyl and marijuana under the soles inside of Duplessis’ shoes. The narcotics were collected as evidence, and Duplessis was booked accordingly. 

          Upon entering a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charges, pursuant to the plea agreement with prosecutors, Michael Duplessis was sentenced to 20 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.