FirstAlerts

Two Men Sentenced in Separate Federal Cases in Louisiana and West Virginia

Announcements reported on Aug. 14, 2026 describe sentences of 36 months and of at least 16 years, with the two outlets differing on the term imposed.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 15, 2026, 2:29 a.m. ET
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This case is not concluded. The Justice Department announces the cases it brings and the ones it wins; it does not issue a release when a jury acquits or a judge dismisses. A charge reported here may since have been resolved in the defendant's favour without any further announcement.

More on this incident

Two men have been in federal cases involving a fentanyl-distribution plan and the impersonation of a federal officer, according to reporting announced on Aug. 14, 2026. KALB reported the announcement came from the . The defendants are named as Clayton Prunest, of Oak Hill, and John Gueringer, 51, of Oakdale, according to reporting by KALB and WOAY. The charges are given as planning to sell fentanyl and impersonating a federal officer. The sentence imposed is reported differently by the two outlets: WOAY reported a sentence of , while KALB reported . The fact record does not resolve the discrepancy. The accounts of the conduct also differ. According to KALB, the government said John Gueringer approached Oakdale Police officers responding to a domestic disturbance on July 22, 2024, wearing a lanyard that appeared to contain an authentic Drug Enforcement Agency badge, claimed to belong to the agency, and told officers to contact the DEA in an attempt to block their investigation and avoid arrest; KALB reported that investigators determined he was not affiliated with the DEA and that he confessed he was trying to mislead law enforcement. According to WOAY, the government said Clayton Prunest planned to sell fentanyl and was arrested following a 2025 traffic stop in which police found fentanyl, heroin, ketamine and meth in his car along with $2,600 in cash, and was arrested again in March after police found meth, scales and drug packaging in a car he was in with two other people.

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Revision history

  1. Version 115 Aug 2026, 06:26current

    First published.

  2. Version 115 Aug 2026, 05:48current

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  3. Version 115 Aug 2026, 06:29current

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  4. Version 115 Aug 2026, 05:52current

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