FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2023
Pearl River Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced on Multiple Drug Charges
District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that on May 15, 2023, Purvis Lee McKnight, 36, of Pearl River, pled guilty as charged to twelve felony charges related to drug trafficking. The defendant engaged in the distribution of various drugs including heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. The crimes occurred in and around Pearl River, Louisiana.
In August of 2022, detectives with St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began an extensive two-month long investigation into the suspected sales of illicit narcotics by the defendant. Detectives were able to arrange a controlled purchase of fentanyl and heroin between the defendant and an undercover officer. Subsequent to that, detectives executed a search warrant on the defendant’s motel room where numerous narcotics were discovered. Detectives also recovered cocaine, heroin and fentanyl they found concealed on his person.
District Judge Vincent Lobello sentenced McKnight to 25 years in prison, to be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.
The case was investigated by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and led by Detective Michael Liberto. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover.