CALIFORNIA MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT
KENNARD WASHINGTON, age 39, a resident of the Los Angeles, California, area, pleaded guilty in federal court to being part of a conspiracy to traffic five kilograms or more of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten today.
WASHINGTON pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon to violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act. The count carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
According to court documents, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) conducted the investigation that involved the transportation of cocaine hydrochloride from California to the Greater New Orleans area. WASHINGTON, a source from California, would ship amounts cocaine hydrochloride to Louisiana through the use of a courier who would drive to and from California. The courier would drive up to California with currency in the vehicle, which was usually rented. In California, the courier would allow for the vehicle to be given to WASHINGTON or one of his associates, who would then take the vehicle and arrange for cocaine to be placed inside. The vehicle would then be returned to the courier, who would then drive back to Louisiana. In many instances, the currency and cocaine would be hidden in a compartment inside the vehicle. WASHINGTON was responsible for between five and 15 kilograms of cocaine being trafficked to the area.
WASHINGTON was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 26, 2010, along with three other co-defendants, two of whom, MICHAEL SLAIN and ROBERT WATTS have pleaded guilty. HARRY DIXON is still set for trial.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin G. Boitmann.
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