On Monday, June 12, 2023, the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommended that attorney Kevin Matthew Dantzler be disbarred for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

The case is entitled “In the matter of Kevin Matthew Dantzler”, and was brought by the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel with case no. 23-DB-005.

The charges cited Louisana Rules of Professional Conduct 8.1(c) and 8.4(a)(b).

The respondent is facing serious allegations of misconduct, which include three distinct counts. The first count pertains to the possession of a controlled dangerous substance, specifically schedule II Fentanyl, a potent and highly addictive opioid. The second count revolves around the failure of the respondent and his lawyer to attend the arraignment, which refers to the respondent’s alleged failure to appear in court as required. Lastly, the respondent has been charged with the arrest for issuing worthless checks.

The filing states:

“Respondent was also on June by a Rapids Parish Sheriff’s Deputy working for the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) unit. According to the arrest report, the respondent was observed driving erratically. Corporal John Deville stopped Respondent, who he •ecognized because he had outstanding narcotics warrants. A pat-down search of Respondent a “cut straw,” frequently used for nasal inhalation of narcotics. Respondent admitted to Corporal Deville that he had ingested fentanyl that morning. Respondent consented to a search of his vehicle. Respondent was taken to St. Francis Cabrini Hospital and treated for his blood pressure and heart rate, then released and transported to Rapides Parish Detention Center 1. (Exhibit ODC-2).”

The filing continues:

“On or about June 28, 2021, you were arrested in Rapides Parish for Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances, Schedule II (Fentanyl). Your arraignment was initially scheduled for November 16, 2021, but moved to December 13, 2021. Neither you nor your attorney appeared on December 13, bond was set at $25,000.”

The filing further states:

“While obtaining the documentation for the above cases, it was also leamed that you were arrested on November 18, 2018. The arrest was made under a warrant for issuing worthless checks. Notice of the complaint was mailed to you at your primary registration address on October 4, 2021. The Post Office returned the letter on October 28, 2021, with the designation “Unclaimed.”

The committee finds that the respondent was admitted to practice law in 2006 and has substantial experience. His conduct reflects a pattern of illegal behavior. The respondent has consistently refused to cooperate in the disciplinary process in both the current matter and he also has been disciplined in the past. In consideration of these factors, the court board recommended that the respondent be disbarred.

The recommendation states:

“The committee finds that Respondent’s repeated engagement in criminal activity involving narcotics poses a significant risk to the public and actual damage to the profession and recommends that Respondent be permanently disbarred. The committee also recommends that the Respondent bear all costs and expenses of the proceedings.”

Mr. Dantzler practices in Alexandria, Louisiana. He is licensed in Louisiana. His info can be found on lawyerjustia.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.