Covington man found guilty on 15 counts involving narcotics, weapons, resisting arrest, and illegal drug manufacturing

Covington man found guilty on 15 counts involving narcotics, weapons, resisting arrest, and illegal drug manufacturing

A St. Tammany Parish jury unanimously convicted 46 year old John Silas Joiner Jr. of Covington on 15 different charges tied to narcotics trafficking, illegal weapons possession, resisting arrest, and operating a clandestine drug lab.

According to the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office, the investigation involved two separate incidents in 2023 that uncovered large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills, firearms, and illegal drug manufacturing equipment.

Authorities say the first case began during a January 2023 traffic stop, where Joiner allegedly resisted deputies, struck a detective with his elbow, and attempted to flee before being taken into custody.

Investigators later searched the vehicle and reportedly recovered hundreds of fentanyl dosage units, methamphetamine, cocaine, a digital scale, brass knuckles, and an AR style 9mm pistol equipped with a 50 round drum magazine.

Months later, deputies intercepted a jail phone call involving Joiner and co defendant Amanda Lynn Flocke. Investigators say the call showed fentanyl pills being counted in front of minor children inside a Mandeville residence.

A subsequent search of the home allegedly uncovered thousands of counterfeit fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, pharmaceutical pills, and a clandestine pill pressing operation set up in the garage.

Joiner now faces a mandatory life sentence and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8.

Illegal items allegedly found:

* 450 fentanyl dosage units

* 2,746 counterfeit blue “M30” fentanyl pills

* Crystal methamphetamine

* Cocaine

* Pharmaceutical pills

* Digital scale

* Brass knuckles

* AR style 9mm pistol

* 50 round drum magazine

* Pill pressing equipment

* Illegal clandestine drug lab

Charges and offenses mentioned:

* Narcotics charges

* Weapons charges

* Flight from law enforcement

* Resisting arrest

* Striking a detective

* Possession of fentanyl

* Possession of methamphetamine

* Possession of cocaine

* Possession of counterfeit pills

* Operating a clandestine drug laboratory

* Manufacturing fake ecstasy tablets

* Possession of illegal weapons

* Drug activity in the presence of minor children

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.