NEW ORLEANS — A Reserve man sentenced last week to four years in jail is the latest local drug dealer looking at an extended stay behind bars following a local investigation that turned federal.

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that Garrick Jones, 39, of Reserve was sentenced Thursday for charges relating to narcotics trafficking, retaliation against a witness and firearm possession.

Jones pleaded guilty Oct. 12, 2017, to conspiring with others to distribute at least 28 grams of crack and to retaliating against a witness for information provided to law enforcement relating to the commission of a federal offense.

Jones, who was previously convicted of a felony, also pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm by a felon for his possession a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber pistol.

Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced Jones to 48 months in the Bureau of Prisons, as well as four years of supervised release following imprisonment.

Strasser praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas D. Moses and Edward Rivera are in charge of the prosecution.

Jones was indicted in 2016 as part of a group of suspects that included Troy Kendrick Jr., Michael Sanders, Reshad Frank and Travis Carter.

The Sheriff’s Office expanded the cases years back, reaching out to federal partners because more manpower and surveillance were needed.

At the time of the indictments, Sheriff Mike Tregre said the investigation “probably saved a life” and resulted in removing illegal guns off local streets.

According to the indictment, Kendrick, Jones, Carter, Sanders and Frank conspired to distribute crack.

Jones and Carter were also charged with retaliating against a witness for information provided to law enforcement.