Indictment Unsealed Charging Four Defendants with Drug Trafficking via Megabus

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today the unsealing of a seventeen-count Indictment that charges THOMAS GORDON, a/k/a “Ice,” age 31, and DONALD EALY, a/k/a “Deebo,” age 37, of New Orleans, along with MARTHA QUINONES, age 50, and KEVIN GONZALES, age 24, of Houston, with numerous violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act.  All four defendants face the lead charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, along with other substantive drug offenses.  In addition, all of the defendants were charged with using a telephone in furtherance of their drug-trafficking conspiracy.

According to court documents, on August 6, 2015, QUINONES had agreed to travel by Megabus from Houston to New Orleans, while transporting narcotics which she intended to deliver to GORDON.  Law enforcement intercepted QUINONES as she arrived in New Orleans and found her to be in possession of almost a half-kilogram of heroin in her duffle bag.  Further, EALY and GONZALES conspired with QUINONES and GORDON to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

If convicted of the lead charge of engaging in a drug conspiracy, each defendant faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, and a minimum of five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Gang Task Force (NOGTF), which includes FBI, the Saint Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is responsible for the prosecution.