U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that TROY KENDRICK, JR., age 33, GARRICK JONES, age 37, TRAVIS CARTER, age 37, MICHAEL SANDERS, age 34, and RESHAD FRANK, age 38, all of Reserve, were charged today in a nine-count Indictment.
According to the Indictment, KENDRICK, JONES, CARTER, SANDERS, and FRANK conspired to distribute cocaine base (“crack"). KENDRICK, JONES, and CARTER were also charged with distribution of crack. If convicted of the charge of conspiracy to distribute crack, KENDRICK, JONES, and CARTER face a term of imprisonment of at least five and up to forty years, a fine of $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, while SANDERS and FRANK face a term of imprisonment of up to twenty years, a fine of $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
JONES and CARTER were also charged with retaliating against a witness for information provided to law enforcement relating to the commission of a federal offense. If convicted of that charge, each defendant faces a term of imprisonment of up to twenty years, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
KENDRICK and JONES, each of whom had previously been convicted of felonies, were also both charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, all of which occurred on Aug. 17, 2016. KENDRICK possessed an FN Herstal, model Five-Seven, pistol, a Lorcin, model L380,.380 caliber pistol, a Taurus, model PT140,.40 caliber pistol, a Ruger, model SR45,.45 caliber pistol, and a Magnum Research, Inc., model Desert Eagle,.44 caliber pistol. JONES possessed a Smith and Wesson.38 caliber pistol. If convicted of these gun charges, each defendant faces a minimum term of imprisonment of at least five years, which must run consecutive to any other sentence, and a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
“This Indictment is an example of our region's outstanding cooperation across local, state, and federal law enforcement," stated U.S. Attorney Polite. “Collectively, we are committed to stopping drug trafficking and the violence that often accompanies it."
“The wreckage caused by drugs and violence affects everyone, not just in large cities, but also in small towns and rural areas like the city of Reserve and St. John the Baptist Parish," stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam. “No matter the amounts of drugs they sell, drug dealers breed crime in our neighborhoods and are a danger to our children. The arrests in this investigation demonstrate to the citizens of St. John the Baptist Parish that federal, state, and local law enforcement can come together and accomplish great things. It should also serve as a warning to drug dealers in communities throughout Louisiana that your illegal and destructive actions will not be tolerated."
“St. John Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division and the DEA conducted an extensive investigation of a group of individuals from St. John Parish that were involved in narcotics trafficking and illegal weapon possession," stated Sheriff Mike Tregre. “As Sheriff of St. John Parish I am committed to using all available resources necessary to try to prevent any further loss of life. I want to thank the DEA for their time, assistance, and resources with helping take all of these weapons off the street. It feels good knowing that we probably saved a life with this joint effort and that we as a team are committed to getting more illegal guns off the streets of St. John Parish as other investigations are currently underway."
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
