NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that HECTOR EFRAIN LOBOS-CERNA, age 42, of Gulfport, Mississippi, was indicted Thursday, March 14, 2019 by a federal grand jury on one count of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B).
If convicted, LOBOS-CERNA faces a terms of imprisonment of 5-40 years, a fine of up to $5 million, and at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Strasser 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, United States Border Patrol, and the Kenner Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Sandman is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
