NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SHYHIEM PINES , age 31, a resident of Tangipahoa Parish, pled guilty on September 17, 2026, before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to a three-count superseding bill of information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), possession with intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine and forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 841(b)(1)(B), and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court documents, in January 2024, law enforcement officers learned that PINES sold heroin and fentanyl from his residence in Ponchatoula, Louisiana and that his mother Kawaiishh Brown sold heroin and fentanyl from her residence also in Ponchatoula on behalf of PINES .
On March 26, 2024, agents obtained and executed search warrants at PINES and Brown’s residences. At PINES’ residence, agents found a black book sack containing 312.1 grams of methamphetamine, 1.61 grams of cocaine, and 57 grams of tramadol, fentanyl and heroin. Also in the book sack with the drugs was a Glock Model 22, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol.
At the residence, where Brown resides, law enforcement seized 57.1 grams of methamphetamine, 5.523 grams of fentanyl, 11.73 grams of cocaine and .995 grams of cocaine base. Also found in the residence, were a Ruger LSP .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Radical Firearm Model RF-15 semi-automatic rifle. PINES acknowledged ownership of the drugs and firearms found at Brown’s residence and admitted that he provided the drugs to Brown for resale.
For the conspiracy count, PINES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. For the possession with intent to distribute count, PINES faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years, a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. For the firearm count, PINES faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
The case was investigated by the Southeastern Louisiana University Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), which is comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hammond Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the 21st Judicial District Court. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys André Jones and Lauren Sarver.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
* * *
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Eastern District of Louisiana — U.S. Department of Justice press release.