Judicial decisions are not intended to be an authoritative source of law in Louisiana; they are secondary to legislation, the court said. "Ardoin said he arrived at work one morning and was contacted by detectives informing him that the items he purchased were stolen. . BATON ROUGE, LAUnited States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that a federal jury in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on May 20, 2009, convicted TOMMY WALTERS, age 32, of Baton Rouge,. Some link changes in weather with body aches Gavin Dugas' 9th inning homer lifts No. El Chapos criminal exploits, including escapes from Mexican prisons and from authorities seeking the drug smuggler as he fled through underground city sewer systems, at least once unclothed, generated news stories that made the billionaire outlaw an international media sensation. There was a large dead dog there of the kind hed seen crossing the floodplain. If you can curtail the demand north of the border, the thinking goes, then cartel money-making and mayhem will fall off. Following a multi-week jury trial in September 2014, 32-year-old Jeffrey Demond Perry was convicted of conspiring to distribute cocaine and "crack"cocaine, distributing cocaine and "crack"cocaine, car-jacking, possessing firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence and drug trafficking crimes, and possessing firearms while a convicted felon. A recent Clint Eastwood movie, The Mule, about an elderly drug runner for the cartels, has its roots in a New York Times Magazine article regarding Leo Sharp, a World War II Army veteran with no previous criminal record, who was imprisoned for his role in trafficking narcotics as a Sinaloa cartel carrier, or mule. Called Tata (the grandfather), Sharp is thought to have earned more than $1 million for his hauls in 2010. Officers were on patrol on Wednesday at 7:30pm on North 35th St. when they try pulling over Demon Sanders, 25, for not wearing a seatbelt, but officers said Sanders refused to stop. Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney Generals drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, money laundering organizations, and related criminal enterprises. According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, Banks controlled the organizations illegal pill-pressing operation whereby he and his co-conspirators used pill press machines, punches, dies, and pill pressing chemicals to illegally manufacture tens of thousands of counterfeit controlled substance pills. Once that warrant was signed, officers found digital scales and bags with Marijuana residue, more than $3,000, two stolen guns, one in the attic, and a large amount of Marijuana in the toilet. Universal, Deborah Seal and her children argued in the case that they merely exercised their free speech rights in an issue of public interest. The others involved were promised "advancement in the drug organization," according to investigators. I know that's my grandson.". Four high-ranking supervisors- two lieutenants and two sergeants - were transferred out of the narcotics division and moved to uniform patrol. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. In Hogans true-crime book Hunting El Chapo, written with Douglas Century, the DEA agent repeats this story about the death toll, illustrating how El Chapo, a crime lord from northwestern Mexico whose real name is Joaquin Guzmn Loera, ruled with murderous intent in snuffing out rivals and quashing disloyalty. Dried blood black on the ground. He had enough and was planning a transfer out of the unit. Since my time as Mayor, I have worked hard to build public trust with the Baton Rouge Police Department. The OCDETF Program operates nationwide and combines the resources and unique expertise of numerous federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Two years before his death, Seal was indicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 462 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $168 million. This sentencing has significantly advanced efforts to restore law and order in the community. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. The investigation is another effort by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program which was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack against organized drug traffickers. He flew tons of cocaine and marijuana into the United States until he was busted in 1983 and became one of the DEA's most important informants. That same morning, officers executed a search warrant at MACHADO-GALEANAs residence in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where they seized a number of firearms, methamphetamine, and marijuana. As a result of this investigation, 19 defendants have been convicted, 10 have been sentenced and one is scheduled for jury trial in February of 2021. "He told investigators he watched his colleague, Jason Acree, steal drugs from the evidence room. Official websites use .gov As Chief Murphy Paul stated this week, these allegations are being taken seriously, and the Department is currently conducting a criminal and administrative investigation related to them. No, not thirteen thousand. After being charged, he started cooperating with department investigators probing allegations of wrong doing. Jailed after a manhunt, the drug kingpin known globally as El Chapo expressed genuine surprise several years ago when interrogators from the Mexican attorney generals office blamed 13,000 homicides on him. This life sentence is a resounding statement to the citizens of the Greater Baton Rouge area from DEA and the rest of our law enforcement partners that enough is enough. Despite their claims that Terrell is clean, police said he's a drug dealer well known in the community and to officers. 777 Florida Street, Suite 208 BATON ROUGE- Planting drugs, coverups, quotas, a term called "snapping" - it is how the Baton Rouge drug squad handled itself, a former officer told WBRZ in a tell-all interview. During Wednesday's sentencing, the Court found that Perrymade his living trafficking drugs and that he did whatever it took to protect his drug trafficking enterprise. LAPLACE Clyde Richards Jr., described by St. John Parish narcoticsagents as the kingpin in organized cocaine distribution locally, was apprehended in Baton Rouge thanks to a newspaper article. LAPLACE - Clyde Richards Jr., described by St. John Parish narcoticsagents as the "kingpin" in organized cocaine distribution locally, was apprehended in Baton Rouge thanks to a newspaper article. He was expected to be a key witness in a case against Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, among others. Escobar was killed in 1993. The 1st Circuit found "that the challenged actions of Universal and the Seal defendants were in the exercise of free speech.". Frigon claimed that action violated the right of publicity, or her right as administrator of Seal's estate to control the commercial appropriation of her father's identity or public image. Howard S. Golphin and Danniesa Hughes Sanders, both 35 and of Pine Grove, also were charged. PONCHATOULA- It's one of the most egregious cases victims' advocates tell the WBRZ Investigative Unit they have ever seen, after a judge awarded full custody to How do I know if I have a cold, the flu or COVID-19? The estate of the drug smuggler-turned-federal informant Adler Barry Seal did not agree to sell the movie rights to his life, and his oldest. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Female Charged in Financial Crimes Against the Elderly, AG Jeff Landry Warns Consumers of Cryptocurrency Scams, As SNAP Extra Benefits End, Recipients Encouraged to Update Info, Assess Options, River Parishes High School Boys Basketball season comes to an end, Library hosts local author Debbie Craighead. If the investigation determines the allegations are true, then those responsible for wrongdoing must be held accountable. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. They will instead find a united law enforcement community fully prepared to aggressively investigate and prosecute their wrongdoing. Golphin is charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and unlawful use of a communications facility; Sanders faces charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Oscar Arturo Machado-Galeana, age 36, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 300 months in federal prison following his convictions after a nine-day jury trial in October 2018 for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana; Alejandro Edda, the actor who portrays El Chapo in the Netflix program Narcos: Mexico, recently showed up at the drug kingpins trial in New York, waiting in the cold with others to get inside. The Mob in Pop Culture blog appears monthly. By targeting local distribution networks in the Baton Rouge area and beyond, DEA and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners are working to reduce overall crime and improve the quality of life for area residents. "It was two Ring floodlight cameras and a TV," Ardoin said. "They realized I had spoken to administration and it could possibly cause them from being moved out of the division," Ardoin said. "Not to my knowledge, and even if there were drugs being sold out of this house, then there's a process by which we need to follow," said Marcelle. United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced the sentencing of Victor Welton, age 49, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as part of Operation Going Bacc to Cali, an extensive federal United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Ashton Matta, age 33, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 228 months in federal prison Middle District of Louisiana I am grateful to our prosecutors and to our federal, state, and local partners for their outstanding efforts and for removing this dangerous dealer, and his poisonous drugs from our streets. Violent drug dealer sentenced to life in prison, ordered to forfeit more than $10M. "It was about $500. Terrell's grandmother said, "That boy don't even smoke so how could he have drugs on him? United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr., announced the conviction of Xavier Johnson, age 38, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For those contemplating a life of crime and drug dealing in our community, let this be a warning to you.". "I realized the informant, the person that I purchased items from, was a confidential informant for detective Jason Acree. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. On March 18, 2015, during the execution of a search warrant at a storage unit at 13822 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, law enforcement officers seized approximately 18 pounds of high-grade methamphetamine. The following ten (10) defendants are charged in the superseding indictment. The dog was gutshot.. A locked padlock Harris is also accused of breaking into the home one of his associates killed in that double shooting, Harold Anthony, and stealing what was believed to be a pillowcase full of cash. The OCDETF Program operates nationwide and combines the resources and unique expertise of numerous federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. ", LSU releases statement after Olivia Dunne's viral TikTok promoting AI essay writer, Seafood restaurant on Scotland Avenue consumed by flames early Wednesday, Multiple massage parlors closed after being raided by sheriff's office for prostitution, Newly released pictures show missing man in downtown BR before his disappearance, St. John's big inning hands Southeastern second straight loss, Coach Kim Mulkey talks LSU's record-tying season. After he packaged it, he resealed the vacuumed sealed baggie with evidence tape, and he took the drugs and had taken them outside to his unit. BATON ROUGE- Planting drugs, coverups, quotas, a term called "snapping" - it is how the Baton Rouge drug squad handled itself, a former officer told WBRZ in a tell-all interview. That's when he said he was approached by a woman who sold him two cameras and a television. As we strive to strengthen trust in our community, the Baton Rouge Police Department is committed to transparency, accountability, and integrity. There was a problem saving your notification. "This cost folks jobs, housing, the bond money put up to post in some of these cases, attorneys fees to defend these cases, and these are things folks can't get back. A Hollywood version depicting Escobars smuggling operation popped up again in the 2017 movie American Made, with Tom Cruise portraying drug-running former commercial pilot Barry Seal of Louisiana, who used a remote airstrip in Mena, Arkansas, to import narcotics into the United States. The actor wanted to study El Chapos mannerisms. Kyia Terrell is accused of punching an officer. Thus, we cannot discuss any specific points being made by Mr. Civil Fax: 225-389-0685. The man who made Baton Rouge headlines in the mid-1980s for the machine-gun killing of drug informant Adler "Barry" Seal died in the Louisiana. Nine in BR area charged in federal I Spy drug probe. A locked padlock Those indicted from Baton Rouge are Ronrico Terrell Sr., 38; Rahkeyah Boo Howard, 33; Johntha Rochon Williams, 32; Bristen Rudy LaCour, 24; Troy A. Edda told the cable news channel the experience was surreal and left him shaking. Yet, we now see those principles at work in this case and will communicate the findings of this investigation once it is complete. Warrants filed this week described Harris as the head of an extremely violent group of large-scale narcotics traffickers. Hence, for us to hold that a right of publicity exists would constitute an unwarranted intrusion into an area in which the legislature has not seen fit to act.. WBRZ interviewed an eye witness last night wh Martrell Harris, who was arrested in March on two counts of. BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney Walt Green announced today the unsealing of a series of federal grand jury indictments in Operation I Spy, an extensive investigation into a drug trafficking network operating in the Baton Rouge region. The movie, based on a novel also titled Savages, by crime writer Don Winslow, underscores the contention that heavy drug use in the United States is the catalyst for this drug war violence. Several vacuumed sealed bags. February 2023 was the 10 th warmest on record in the Baton Rouge area, going back to 1892. Since 1993, he's been arrested at least seven times for drug, illegal weapon charges and more. UPDATE: Martrell Harris was arrested March 2021 on first-degree murder charges. Universal City Studios turned Barry Seal's story into the 2017 film "American Made" starring actor Tom Cruise as Seal, who was assassinated in February 1986 outside a Salvation Army halfway house on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge. 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