Julius Cerdes Jr. and his wife Melissa Cerdes have filed a lawsuit seeking justice for what they claim was a wrongful conviction orchestrated by law enforcement officers nearly two decades ago. The complaint, filed on January 20, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, names Heath Martin and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker as defendants.
The lawsuit details a harrowing account of alleged corruption and misconduct by law enforcement officials. In 2006, Julius Cerdes Jr., then a professional fisherman, was framed by Chad Scott, a now-convicted ex-DEA agent, with the assistance of Heath Martin, a deputy sheriff. According to the complaint, Scott had a personal vendetta against Cerdes dating back to their interactions when Scott was a bartender. This animosity allegedly led Scott to plant evidence and manipulate legal proceedings to wrongfully convict Cerdes of drug-related charges.
On November 14, 2005, Cerdes returned home from a shrimping trip to find his house overtaken by DEA agents conducting a search. Despite finding no drugs during an initial search of his truck, Scott allegedly planted marijuana under the driver's seat with Martin's knowledge and assistance. This led to false charges against Cerdes for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and other related offenses.
Throughout the ensuing legal battles, Scott is accused of using coercion and manipulation to force Cerdes into pleading guilty to crimes he did not commit. The complaint alleges that Scott even went so far as to threaten federal charges carrying mandatory minimum sentences unless Cerdes cooperated with him by providing false testimony against others.
Years later, following an investigation into Scott's widespread misconduct as a DEA agent—which resulted in his conviction—Cerdes's conviction was vacated through a writ of coram nobis. The federal government acknowledged that Cerdes had been framed and supported his testimony during Scott's sentencing hearing.
Now seeking redress under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violations of constitutional rights including due process and unlawful seizure, Julius and Melissa Cerdes are asking the court for damages covering emotional distress, financial losses from forfeited property, loss of consortium during incarceration, attorney’s fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988, punitive damages under state law claims including malicious prosecution, as well as any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Julius and Melissa Cerdes is attorney Stephen J. Haedicke from New Orleans-based Law Office of Stephen J. Haedicke LLC. The case has been assigned Case ID: 25-142 in the Eastern District of Louisiana.