Fourteen Indicted on Federal Drug and Gun Charges

A 28-count federal indictment was unsealed today charging LANCE FOUCHA, age 30, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, ALVIN MINGO, age 38, a resident of Metarie, Louisiana, CHRIS GARNER, age 30, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, JEFFREY ANDERSON, age 32, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, ANTHONY LASTIE, age 32, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, KENTRELL PAUL, age 26, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, CARL FOUCHA, age 32, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, DONALD FOUCHA, age 34, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, THERON CAMPBELL, age 30, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, RHONDA SMITH, age 49, a resident of Kenner, Louisiana, ROBERT FRANCIS, age 23, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, MARIO BURTON, age 24, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, LARRY RAMEE, age 38, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, and BRIAN TURNER, age 38, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, with violations of federal drug and gun laws, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. To date, 11 of the 14 defendants are in custody.

Specifically, the indictment charges that beginning in approximately March, 2009 until July, 2010, the defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute fifty or more grams of crack cocaine and 500 or more grams powder cocaine. DONALD FOUCHA is also variously charged with six counts of distribution of crack and powder cocaine; and CARL FOUCHA and JEFFREY ANDERSON are each charged with one count of distribution of crack cocaine. LANCE FOUCHA is charged in two counts with distribution of crack cocaine as well as five counts of using a telephone in the commission of a drug trafficking crime. ALVIN MINGO is charged with six counts of using a telephone in the commission of a drug trafficking crime; and the remaining defendants are each charged with one count of using a telephone in the commission of a drug trafficking crime. MINGO is also charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm. ANDERSON is charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

If convicted, all 14 defendants face a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment and millions of dollars in fines.

U.S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, New Orleans Police Department, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Toomey.