Alexandria Man Indicted as Armed Career Criminal on Drug and Firearm Charges

Cartez Dotson, 39, of Alexandria, faces charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and firearm offenses, according to federal prosecutors.

3 reports on this incident · first at Aug 27, 2026, 11:46 a.m. ET

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 27, 2026, 1:09 p.m. ET

Cartez Dotson, 39, of Alexandria, has been indicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and firearm offenses, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana. The indictment, returned on August 19, 2026, charges Dotson with Possessing a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon. The indictment alleges that on January 14, 2026, Dotson knowingly possessed a controlled substance, including five grams or more of methamphetamine and an additional fifty grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine, with intent to distribute. Dotson was also allegedly found in possession of two pistols and ammunition, with the indictment further alleging that he carried a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. Dotson faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison. Court records show that Dotson has prior qualifying convictions that subject him to enhanced penalties under the Armed Career Act, including three prior serious drug or violent felonies committed on separate occasions. The case is being investigated by the FBI and ATF and is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Earlier reports

Aug 27, 2026, 11:54 a.m. ET
Alexandria Man Indicted as Armed Career Criminal on Drug and Firearm Charges
ALEXANDRIA – On August 19, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Cartez Dotson, 39, of Alexandria, with Possessing a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon. Dotson faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison.
The indictment alleges that on January 14, 2026, Dotson knowingly possessed a controlled substance, including five grams or more of methamphetamine and an additional fifty grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine, with intent to distribute. Dotson was also allegedly found in possession of two pistols and ammunition, with the indictment further alleging that he carried a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
Court records show that Dotson has prior qualifying convictions that subject him to enhanced penalties under the Armed Career Criminal Act, including three prior serious drug or violent felonies committed on separate occasions.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren L. Nickel with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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 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.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is 1:26-CR-00209.
Aug 27, 2026, 11:46 a.m. ETFirst report
Alexandria Man Indicted as Armed Career Criminal on Drug and Firearm Charges
On August 27, 2026, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana announced that a federal grand jury had returned a superseding indictment charging Cartez Dotson, 39, of Alexandria, with possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and two counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, according to a press release from the office.
The indictment, returned on August 19, 2026, alleges that on January 14, 2026, Dotson knowingly possessed five grams or more of methamphetamine and an additional fifty grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine, with intent to distribute. It also alleges he possessed two pistols and ammunition and carried a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Court records show prior qualifying convictions that could subject him to enhanced penalties under the Armed Career Criminal Act, including three prior serious drug or violent felonies committed on separate occasions.
Dotson faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller announced the charges. The case is being investigated by the FBI and ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren L. Nickel. The case is pending in federal court, and an indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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