Convicted Covington Drug Dealer Facing Life Sentence

District Attorney Collin Sims announces that today (May 22, 2026), a St. Tammany Parish jury found 46-year-old John Silas Joiner, Jr. of Covington, Louisiana guilty on 15 counts of narcotics, weapons, flight, and resisting arrest charges. The unanimous verdict follows a trial before the Honorable Judge Richard Swartz. 

Joiner, a convicted felon who was on parole at the time of his offenses, now faces a mandatory life sentence. Judge Swartz has scheduled sentencing for July 8, 2026.

The conviction stems from two separate law enforcement operations in 2023. 

• The first occurred in January 2023, when detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office (STPSO) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Joiner. Joiner actively resisted arrest, striking a detective with his elbow, and briefly fled on foot before being quickly apprehended. A search of the vehicle yielded 450 dosage units of fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, a digital scale, a set of brass knuckles, and an AR-style 9mm pistol equipped with a 50-round drum magazine.

• The second incident took place in September 2023, after authorities intercepted a jail video call between Joiner and his co-defendant, Amanda Flocke, which showed Flocke at a kitchen table counting thousands of fentanyl pills in the presence of minor children. A subsequent search warrant executed by STPSO at their Mandeville residence uncovered 2,746 dosage units of counterfeit blue "M30" fentanyl tablets, crystal methamphetamine, pharmaceutical pills, and a clandestine laboratory setup in the garage used to press fraudulent ecstasy tablets.

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During the trial, Flocke testified for the state, detailing how she was absorbed into Joiner’s operations after his initial January arrest. "I got left with the debt of everything," Flocke testified, referring to the drug debt Joiner accumulated. "After he went to jail, I assumed all of his responsibilities."

When questioned about the massive cache of narcotics discovered at their residence during the September search warrant, Flocke testified that Joiner had misled her about the ongoing operation, stating, "I thought he got rid of the drugs because that's what he told me he was going to do."

In her closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Christina Fisher pointed out Joiner's absolute disregard for the law and his refusal to stop dealing, even while under state supervision. "He did not learn," Fisher told the jury. "He was convicted in December 2020 for felon in possession of a firearm, and in January 2023, while still being supervised, he was stopped for a traffic stop...Those are the possessions of a drug dealer."

Fisher also emphasized the dangerous combination of firearms and lethal narcotics seized from Joiner, noting, "These are dangerous weapons...they have no business being hooked to a fanny pack with fentanyl pills. He was dealing these drugs; he had every intent to distribute them."

Addressing Joiner's defense strategy and his attempts to distance himself from the Mandeville residence, Fisher reminded the jury of the physical evidence linking him to the home. "Ladies and gentlemen, this was his house; it's ridiculous to think otherwise," Fisher said.

During his rebuttal closing argument, Assistant District Attorney Iain Dover addressed the defendant's refusal to acknowledge the state's statutory evidence. "Although Mr. Joiner may disagree 'til his very last breath...none of Mr. Joiner's arguments relate to what you are to do today," Dover told the jury. "He has no willingness to change or accept responsibility. He is a drug dealer, and he sells."

"Today's verdict ensures that a dangerous, repeat offender will no longer be able to flood our streets with lethal poison," said District Attorney Collin Sims. "This defendant not only armed himself while trafficking high volumes of fentanyl and cocaine, but he also operated a clandestine pill press in a home where young children lived. I want to commend the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office for their thorough investigations and ADAs Iain Dover and Christina Fisher for their exceptional work in securing this conviction."

Flocke, age 40, previously pleaded guilty on May 8, 2026, to possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced by Judge Swartz to 30 years in the Department of Corrections.

Conviction Details: Following the four-day trial, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts for the following charges:

• Possession with intent to distribute 250 grams or more of fentanyl
• Possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of methamphetamine
• Possession with intent to distribute less than 28 grams of cocaine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone (3 counts total)
• Possession of two grams or more, but less than 28 grams of fentanyl
• Possession of less than two grams of fentanyl
• Possession of less than two grams of methamphetamine
• Creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory for the unlawful manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance
• Transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses
• Possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies
• Illegal carrying of a short-barreled rifle and brass knuckles while in possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine (2 counts total)
• Simple escape
• Resisting a police officer

More Charges for Mandeville-area Couple Arrested Last Month

A Mandeville-area couple arrested last month (Click here for that story) on various narcotics charges has had additional charges added after it was learned some of the drugs and supplies used in the creation of the illegal narcotics had been taken from a facility where one of them was employed.

On October 3, 2023, detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Narcotics Division conducted a follow up investigation into the arrest of 43 year-old John Joiner and 37 year-old Amanda Flocke that occurred on September 23, 2023. 

Through their investigation, detectives determined Flocke was involved in prescription fraud relative to the theft of prescription medication from patients at a skilled nursing center where she was employed. It was further learned that a pill crusher located at the residence during the original search was also stolen from her place of employment.

During the execution of the original search warrant at the residence in the 100 block of Remmy Court on September 23, 2023, Flocke’s children, ages 17, 15, 10 and 3, were present in the home.

In addition to the charges listed in the original release, Flocke has since been booked for the following additional charges: Operation of a Clandestine Laboratory, Prescription Fraud, Illegal use of a CDS in the Presence of Minor (4 counts), and Theft under $1,000.

In addition to the charges listed in the original release, Joiner has since been booked for the following additional charges: Operation of a Clandestine Laboratory and Illegal use of a CDS in the Presence of Minor (4 counts).

It should be noted, during the original search of the home, detectives located fentanyl in the bedroom of Flocke’s 17-year-old son. The juvenile was subsequently arrested and released under a custodial agreement for Proceeds from Drug Transactions and Possession of Schedule II CDS – fentanyl.

“This is an example of how our narcotics detectives do not simply make arrests,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “They go above and beyond to determine where the narcotics are coming from in an effort to track down the supply chains of illegal narcotics into our parish. I applaud these detectives for their continued work on this investigation and their dedication to getting dangerous drugs of the streets.”

Anyone with information about narcotics, or other crimes, can submit an anonymous tip utilizing the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office website (www.stpso.com), or by calling the narcotics tip line (1-888-GO-2-JAIL).

Covington Career Drug Dealer Gets Life Sentence

District Attorney J. Collin Sims announces that on Wednesday (July 8, 2026), the Honorable Judge Richard Swartz sentenced 46-year-old John Silas Joiner, Jr. of Covington, Louisiana, to a mandatory term of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. The sentencing follows Joiner’s unanimous conviction by a St. Tammany Parish jury on May 22, 2026, where he was found guilty on 15 total counts spanning narcotics, weapons, flight, and resisting arrest charges.

In addition to the mandatory life sentence for the fentanyl trafficking charge, Judge Swartz handed down multiple individual terms ranging from 1 to 15 years for the remaining 14 counts, ordering all sentences to run concurrently. Furthermore, Assistant District Attorneys Iain Dover and Christina Fisher, who prosecuted the case, note that the state intends to file a multiple-offender bill under Louisiana’s Habitual Offender Statute, which would subject the defendant to additional statutory sentencing increases.

"Today’s life sentence ensures that a dangerous repeat offender will never again be able to poison our neighborhoods or compromise the safety of our children," District Attorney Collin Sims said following the hearing. "This defendant chose to repeatedly traffic lethal volumes of fentanyl and run a clandestine pill press right in a home where young children lived. I am grateful to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office for their thorough investigations and to ADAs Iain Dover and Christina Fisher for their exceptional work from trial to final sentencing."

The series of convictions stem from two separate law enforcement operations conducted by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office (STPSO) in 2023. The first took place in January 2023 during a traffic stop, during which Joiner resisted arrest, struck a detective, and briefly fled on foot. A search of his vehicle uncovered 450 dosage units of fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, a digital scale, brass knuckles, and an AR-style 9mm pistol equipped with a 50-round drum magazine.

The second investigation unfolded in September 2023 after authorities intercepted a jail video call between Joiner and his co-defendant, Amanda Flocke, 40. The video depicted Flocke counting thousands of illicit fentanyl pills on a kitchen table in the immediate presence of minor children. A subsequent search warrant executed at their Mandeville residence revealed 2,746 counterfeit blue "M30" fentanyl tablets, crystal methamphetamine, pharmaceutical pills, and a clandestine manufacturing laboratory setup in the garage used to press fraudulent ecstasy tablets. Flocke previously pleaded guilty on May 8, 2026, to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 30 years in the Department of Corrections.

The concurrent sentences imposed by Judge Swartz today include:

• Possession with intent to distribute less than 28 grams of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance over 250 grams - Life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole
• Creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory for the unlawful manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance - 10 years
• Possession with intent to distribute less than 28 grams of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance - 10 years
• Possession with intent to distribute less than 28 grams of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance - 10 years
• Possession with intent to distribute less than 28 grams or more of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance - 15 years
• Transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses - 10 years
• Illegal carrying of weapons while in possession of a CDS - 10 years
• Possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies -10 years
• Simple escape - 1 year
• Possession of less than two (2) grams of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance - 2 years
• Possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance less than 2 grams - 2 years
• Possession with intent to distribute less than twenty-eight (28) grams of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance - 10 years
• Transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses - 10 years
• Possession of fentanyl - less than two grams - 2 years
• Illegal carrying of weapons while in possession of a CDS - 10 years

Covington Woman Sentenced to 30 Years for Large-Scale Fentanyl Distribution

District Attorney Collin Sims announces that on Friday, May 8, 2026, Amanda Lynn Flocke, age 40 and of Covington, Louisiana, a first-time offender, pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 28 to 250 grams of Fentanyl. Flocke received a significant 30-year sentence in the Department of Corrections from the Honorable Judge Richard Swartz.

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The investigation, led by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office (STPSO), began in September 2023.  Detectives received a tip regarding suspicious activity captured on a video call in which Flocke was observed at her kitchen table counting several thousand blue pills - later identified as counterfeit M30 fentanyl tablets - in the presence of her minor children.

A subsequent search of Flocke’s residence in Mandeville at that time led to the recovery of over 400 grams of Fentanyl, approximately 29 grams of crystal methamphetamine, and various quantities of oxycodone and hydrocodone. Detectives also discovered a clandestine laboratory setup, including pill presses and binding agents, as well as stolen prescription medication Flocke had obtained through her employment at a local care facility.

"The sheer volume of fentanyl recovered in this case represents thousands of potentially lethal doses kept out of our neighborhoods," said District Attorney Collin Sims. "This 30-year sentence sends a clear message: if you choose to bring this poison into our community - especially in the presence of children - you will face the full weight of the law. My office remains committed to working alongside the Sheriff’s Office to dismantle these operations and protect our citizens from the fentanyl epidemic."

Flocke’s co-defendant, John Silas Joiner, is currently scheduled for trial on May 18, 2026. If convicted, Joiner faces a mandatory life sentence.

The case was investigated by the Saint Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Iain Dover and Christina Fisher.

St. Tammany Parish Jail Bookings for May 18, 2026

Marco Lemus (age 55) was booked on the charges of Fugitive, Possession of Schedule II, Proper Equipment Required on Vehicles, Failure to Honor Written Promise to Appear, and Contempt of Court by the Mandeville Police Department.

Trevell Fleming (age 22) was booked on the charge of Hit and Run by the Mandeville Police Department.

Matthew Daniel (age 43) was booked on the charges of Accessory After the Fact (2 counts), Theft Less Than 1000, and Theft 1000-5000 by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Miles McIntosh (age 28) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole.

Deanna Anderson (age 41) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II, Drug Paraphernalia, and Contempt of Court by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Christopher Brown (age 37) was booked on the charge of Possession of Schedule II by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Byron Seymore (age 51) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by Agency not listed.

Jennifer McCain (age 49) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by Agency not listed.

John Roberts (age 38) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment by the Slidell Police Department.

Marcus Clay (age 25) was booked on the charges of Illegal Carrying of Weapon, Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms, and Possession of Schedule I by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Tourean Cousin (age 33) was booked on the charge of Fugitive and Contempt of Court by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Tara Smith (age 55) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery/Child Endangerment by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Gary Costanza (age 62) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery by the Covington Police Department.

Felicia Ricard (age 36) was booked on the charge of Simple Criminal Damage to Property by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Tayler Rushing (age 20) was booked on the charge of Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Amanda Flocke (age 40) was booked on the charge of Housed for Court by the 22nd Judicial Court.

Brent Mullen (age 37) was booked on the charges of Driving Under Suspension, Possession of Schedule II, Illegal Carrying of Weapon, and Failure to Stop/Yield by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.

Peyton Robbins (age 28) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II and No Brake Lights/No Turn Signals by the Covington Police Department.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

Mandeville-area Couple Arrested on Numerous Narcotics Charges / Over 2700 Counterfeit Pills Found

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office reports that a Mandeville-area couple has been arrested on numerous narcotics charges after more than 2,700 counterfeit pills were found at their residence.

After receiving anonymous complaints of narcotics activity at the home, STPSO detectives with the Proactive Enforcement Unit responded to a Mandeville-area residence Saturday (September 23, 2023) and made contact with the couple who lived there, 37 year-old Amanda Flocke and 43 year-old John Joiner.

While investigating the complaint the detectives developed probable cause to search the residence. During the search, detectives recovered 2,745 counterfeit oxycodone tablets, which were found to contain fentanyl, approximately 29.1 grams of methamphetamine, 15 ecstasy pills, 170 hydrocodone pills, a small amount of marijuana, two dosage units of male enhancement pills, a pill press and $1,069.

“Keeping drugs off our streets and out of our neighborhoods is a cooperative effort between law enforcement and our residents,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “If you know of people selling drugs in our community, please do not hesitate to report it. We will investigate.”

Anyone with information about narcotics, or other crimes, can submit an anonymous tip utilizing the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office website (www.stpso.com), or by calling the narcotics tip line (1-888-GO-2-JAIL).