SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Vivian man and a Texan pleaded guilty to cocaine conspiracy and methamphetamine distribution charges in Caddo and Bossier parishes.
Eugene O’Neal Cross, 39, of Marshall, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and Anthony D. Jackson, 24, of Vivian, La., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the hearing. According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, from Feb. 21, 2014 until July 26, 2014, Jackson conspired to possess and distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Cross admitted to distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine on Jan. 21, 2014. Using surveillance and controlled buys, agents recorded the defendants at various times possessing, distributing and/or planning to distribute drugs in Caddo and Bossier parishes.
Cross faces 10 years to life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a $10 million fine for the methamphetamine charge. Jackson faces five to 40 years in prison, four years of supervised release and a $5 million fine. A sentencing date of July 9, 2015 was set.
The defendants were arrested as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation Cross the Line. The DEA and the Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Task Force investigated the case. The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources, and disrupting and dismantling of major drug trafficking organizations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
