United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today
that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced DARWIN A. ELPHAGE a/k/a
“Zero,” age 40, of Gonzales, Louisiana, to 120 months in federal prison
following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the
intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C.
§ 846 and 18 U.S.C. § 2; distribution of heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §
841(a)(1); possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of 18
U.S.C. § 922(g)(1); and unlawful use of communication facilities, in violation
of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b).
ELPHAGE was charged in an extensive federal, state, and
local investigation aimed at dismantling a large scale heroin trafficking
network based in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, and Houston, Texas. The indictment charges significant drug
trafficking, racketeering, firearm, and conspiracy charges. To date, investigative efforts have resulted
in the seizure of over one and a half kilograms of heroin, substantial amounts
of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and oxycodone. Authorities have also seized
seven firearms, over $314,000 in drug proceeds, and three vehicles allegedly
used in the drug trafficking venture: a 2013 Porsche 911, a Mercedes CLS550,
and a GMC Hummer.
From September 22, 2015 to April of 2016, ELPHAGE conspired
with eleven additional members of the drug trafficking organization to
distribute in excess of one kilogram of heroin, in the Middle District of
Louisiana, as set forth in the Indictment.
As part of the conspiracy, Jason Muse purchased kilogram
quantities of heroin from Morito Tobar, Aron Winter Mosquera-Castro, Santos
Mosquera-Candelo, and Fabio Zuniga-Caicedo.
ELPHAGE, working under the direction of Jason Muse, distributed the
heroin to Jason Muse’s customers and his own customers for further distribution
in Baton Rouge, Ascension Parish, and elsewhere.
U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “There is no room for this kind
behavior in our communities…none. Fortunately, when it comes to kilo-level drug
dealers like this defendant, there is room in the federal penitentiary. This is
yet another reminder that bad behavior by dangerous felons results in
significant sentences in federal court. Removing deadly drugs like heroin,
oxycodone, crack, and meth from the streets of Ascension Parish makes our
communities safer. I am extremely proud of the efforts of the many law
enforcement partners on the local, state and federal levels who joined forces
in an effort to dismantle this operation.”
“The sentencing today of DARWIN A. ELPHAGE a/k/a “Zero,
sends a clear message to all who engage in the distribution of illegal drugs
and to those who plague our neighborhoods with violence that we will work
together to see that you are brought to justice. Federal and local law enforcement
successfully collaborated in order to put ELPHAGE in federal prison for 120
months as a result of his involvement with a violent drug trafficking
organization in the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Area,”said Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Brad L. Byerley.
This operation is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s
Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(ATF), the Baton Rouge City Police Department, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s
Office, the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, the West Baton Rouge Parish
Sheriff’s Office, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Louisiana
State Police, and the Gonzales Police Department. This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant
United States Attorney Jennifer Kleinpeter, who also serves as a deputy
criminal chief.
The investigation is another effort by the Organized Crime
Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program that was established in 1982 to
mount a comprehensive attack against organized drug traffickers. Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece
of the United States Attorney General’s drug strategy to reduce the
availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking
organizations and money laundering organizations and related criminal
enterprises. 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.
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