An illegal drug case investigated by the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office has resulted in a four-count superseding indictment of Jessica Portway of LaPlace and three others. Portway, who was arrested by St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives on Aug. 30, 2023, has been charged with violation of the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
Portway, 42, her daughter Rachel Portway and Tyler Saladino, both of Jefferson Parish, and James Gottfried of California were charged in the four-count superseding indictment on Oct. 24, 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana.
According to the superseding indictment, beginning on an unknown date, but at least by Aug. 14, 2023 and continuing to on or about Aug. 29, 2023, Jessica Portway, Rachel Portway, Saladino and Gottfried conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, Fentanyl, within the Eastern District of Louisiana.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration – Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the St. John Sheriff’s Office.
Jessica Portway, Rachel Portway, Saladino and Gottfried were indicted in Count 1 for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Fentanyl in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1),841(b)(1)(C), and 846. If convicted of Count 1, they face up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
Jessica Portway, Rachel Portway, Saladino and Gottfried were indicted in Count 2 for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Fentanyl in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1),841(b)(1)(C), and Title 18 United States Code Section 2. If convicted of Count 2, they face up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
Jessica Portway, Rachel Portway, Saladino and Gottfried were indicted in Count 3 for possession with intent to distribute Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1),841(b)(1)(C). If convicted of Count 3, they face up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
Jessica Portway was previously indicted on Count 4 of the indictment for possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and LSD. If convicted of Count 4, Jessica Portway faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and up to a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000 and up to five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.