Thirteen people have been indicted in federal court on drug trafficking and felony firearms charges in Lafayette, Louisiana. The indicted individuals are accused of participating in the organized distribution of powder cocaine and crack cocaine in Lafayette and surrounding areas. U. S. Attorney Donald W. Washington made this announcement earlier today after agents began serving warrants on members of “The Truman Cartel” and its alleged associates. The investigation focused on the North Lafayette neighborhood known as Truman, which borders University Avenue & Interstate 10, Martin Luther King Drive and Evangeline Thruway.
The indictments came as a result of a lengthy investigation conducted jointly by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Agents from numerous law enforcement agencies combed the area on Tuesday and arrested ten of the defendants, all of whom appeared in U. S. District Court in Lafayette for their initial appearance Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. before Magistrate Judge C. Michael Hill. One of the defendants remains at large.
The indictment alleges that the defendants knowingly and intentionally conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over fifty grams of crack cocaine. Martin Victor, Jr. and other co-conspirators allegedly purchased large amounts of cocaine and cocaine base from known suppliers, and after acquiring or manufacturing the cocaine base or “crack,” Victor allegedly supplied co-conspirators with the cocaine base for further distribution. The cocaine was distributed and converted into cocaine base at various locations within the Lafayette and Carencro areas. Several firearms were seized pursuant to searches or arrests in the investigation, and the federal government is pursuing forfeiture of those firearms. The government is also pursuing forfeiture of assets involved in the drug conspiracy, including real estate and vehicles purchased with drug proceeds or used in commission of the offenses within the conspiracy. To date, over $50,000.00 in U.S. currency, alleged to be drug proceeds, has been seized and will also be sought under the forfeiture count.
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum penalty of life in prison for both conspiracy to distribute crack and powder cocaine. Distribution of more than five grams of crack cocaine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of forty years. The charge of felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. The charge of drug trafficking with a firearm carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of five years in additional to any other sentence imposed. Each count also carries the possibility of a maximum $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the South Central Louisiana Safe Streets Gang Task Force which is comprised of agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafayette Police Department and Morgan City Police Department. Additional assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Lafayette Metro Narcotics Unit, Lafayette Police Department Action Unit, and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Department Star Team. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie A. Finley and Myers P. Namie.
The indictments handed down named the following:
MARTIN VICTOR, JR., a/k/a “Steak,” age 51, of Lafayette, was charged with:
• 1 Count: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine;
• 1 Count: Distribution of cocaine;
• 1 Count: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine;
• 6 Counts: Use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating a drug trafficking crime;
• 1 Count: Maintaining drug-involved premises;
• 1 Count: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and
• 1 Count: Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
JOEKERRA NATANIA SIMPSON, a/k/a “Bud,” age 32, of Lafayette, was arrested on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. She is charged with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine.
DAMIEN EDWARD JAMES VICTOR, a/k/a “Gus,” age 28, of Lafayette, was arrested on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. He is charged with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; 1 count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base; 1 count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; and 1 count of use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating a drug trafficking crime.
DALE LEE BROUSSARD, age 23, of Lafayette, was arrested on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. He is charged with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine, and 1 count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
AMELIA VICTOR, a/k/a “Nun,” age 41, of Lafayette, was arrested on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. She is charged with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; 1 count of maintaining a drug-involved premises; and 1 count of use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating a drug trafficking crime.
LEONARD MORRISON, age 39, of Broussard, was arrested on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. He is charged with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine, and 2 counts of use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating a drug trafficking crime.
FELTON HOPKINS, age 42, of Lafayette, was arrested on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. He is charged with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; 1 count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; and 1 count of use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating a drug trafficking crime.
JUSTIN JAMES THIBEAUX, age 27, of Lafayette, was arrested on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. He is charged with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine.
ERIC JAMES BONNER, age 40, of Lafayette, is charged with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine.
SEDERICK RANDLE, age 18, of Scott, was arrested on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. He is charged with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine.
RANDALL DAVID LANDRY, age 20, of Lafayette, was arrested on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. He is charged with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; 1 count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; and 1 count of use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating a drug trafficking crime.
DERRICK JAMES SIMPSON, a/k/a “D-Rex,” age 29, of Carencro, was arrested on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. He is charged with 1 count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine.
Comments
Great article. Well written and very informative. GB
Thank you, Gregory.
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