BRIAN RIGGINS, age 42, a resident of New Orleans, was found guilty yesterday in a five count second superseding indictment of being a member of a five kilogram cocaine conspiracy and related drug and firearm charges by a federal jury after a two-day trial, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.

Among other things, the jury heard testimony that RIGGINS was stopped by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Officers in February 2009 and found to be carrying a quarter kilogram of cocaine hydrochloride in his vehicle. During a subsequent search of RIGGINS’ residence, officers located approximately nine kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, over seventy grams of cocaine base (“crack”), approximately $60,000 in drug proceeds, and four firearms, including an illegally shortened sawed-off shotgun.

Due to RIGGINS’ previous two felony convictions for drug trafficking crimes, RIGGINS faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $20,000,000, and ten (10) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing is set for May 2, 2012, before United States District Court Judge Ivan Lemelle.

The case was investigated by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Toomey and Edward Rivera.

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