U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that KEVIN GONZALES, age 25, of Houston, pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute over one kilogram of heroin. GONZALES is facing not less than 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, as well as a possible fine of up to $10,000,000. U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier will sentence GONZALES on Jan. 12, 2017.
Also today, MARTHA QUINONES, age 51, of Houston, and REGINALD WASHINGTON, age 33, of New Orleans, were sentenced after having previously pled guilty to the same heroin conspiracy. Judge Barbier sentenced QUINONES to 120 months of incarceration, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Judge Barbier sentenced WASHINGTON to 120 months of incarceration, to be followed by 8 years of supervised release.
These three defendants were charged in a 21-count Superseding Indictment on Sept. 18, 2015. According to court documents, the Superseding Indictment resulted from an FBI investigation into a heroin-trafficking organization operating primarily around Loyola Avenue and Harmony Street in Central Citys. During the timeframe of this conspiracy, GONZALES and QUINONES traveled via Megabus from Houston to New Orleans, carrying half-kilogram quantities of heroin for distribution by WASHINGTON and others in the New Orleans area.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the FBI New Orleans Gang Task Force (NOGTF), St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
