BRIAN RIGGINS, age 42, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today in federal court by United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to life imprisonment plus an addition thirty (30) year consecutive sentence for his role in a five (5) kilogram cocaine conspiracy and related drug and firearm charges, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Lemelle ordered that RIGGINS be placed on ten (10) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of her supervised release.

RIGGINS was found guilty on January 31, 2012 after a two-day trial. 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 (9) kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, over seventy (70) grams of cocaine base (“crack”), approximately $60,000 in drug proceeds, and four firearms, including an illegally shortened sawed-off shotgun.

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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