Two Paulding, Mississippi Residents Sentenced To Prison For Conspiracy To Launder Drug Money

Jackson, Miss – Lornell Von Moore, 49, and Patrina Bester Hayes, 37, both of Paulding, Mississippi, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III today for conspiracy to launder drug money, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jerome R. McDuffie of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.

Moore was sentenced to 178 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He is currently serving nine years in federal prison for narcotics distribution. Hayes was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Moore garnered over $2 million in drug profits in just a two year period beginning in 2008. Moore and Hayes operated LVM Trucking out of Louin, Mississippi, and washed millions of dollars of drug profits through the trucking company’s bank accounts as well as their private bank accounts.

As a result of the investigation into the narcotics trafficking of Moore and the money laundering activities of Moore and Hayes, investigators of the DEA and the IRS, through the office of the United States Attorney, seized a large amount of property associated with the money laundering conspiracy. The property included vehicles, tractors, trailers, houses and firearms.

“Today's sentencing is the direct result of the commitment of IRS Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and our state and local partners to combat illegal narcotics and narcotics related money laundering violations,” said U.S. Attorney Davis. “These sentences should send a clear message that those who choose to become involved in these types of criminal activities will be identified, investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Jerome R. McDuffie, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS – Criminal Investigation, stated, “Today’s sentencing of Lornell Von Moore and Patrina Hayes is a victory for law enforcement. I want the narcotics traffickers out there to know that attempting to disguise drug-related financial transactions behind businesses like LVM Trucking will not protect them from being charged with money laundering violations and suffering the stiff penalties those violations carry. I would also like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for the work done on this very significant OCDETF investigation.”

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the criminal investigation of the financial affairs leading to the current guilty plea. Officers from the Ridgeland Police Department, Jackson Police Department, Hinds County Sheriff=s Office, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, participated in the investigation of Moore’s drug trafficking organization. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca prosecuted the case for the government.