Press Release
MEMBERS OF TREASURE COAST, BREVARD, BROWARD AND PALM BEACH RING FACE FEDERAL NARCOTICS CHARGES
June 19, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA);Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Investigations; Jonathan I. Solomon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Amos Rojas, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); Ken J. Mascara, Sheriff, St. Lucie Sheriff's Office (SLCSO); Bruce H. Colton, State Attorney, Fort Pierce State Attorney's Office (SAO); Sean Baldwin, Chief, Fort Pierce Police Department (FPPD); J.R. "Jack" Parker, Sheriff, Brevard Sheriff's Office (BCSO); Al Lamberti, Sheriff, Broward County Sheriff's Office (BSO); Michael Satz, State Attorney, Broward County State Attorney's Office (SAO); announced the June 18, 2009 Third Superseding Indictment against defendants Quentin Dixon, Todd Jackson, Jr., David Duvall, Lorenza David Harriell, Michael Lemonious, Frank Pierre, Jeane Claudy Polanco, and Parson Exana.
All defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and crack cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846. Pierre and Polanco were also charged with conspiracy to import cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 963.
If convicted, Dixon, Jackson Jr., Duvall, Harriell, Lemonious, Pierre and Polanco face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a $4 million fine. If convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine hydrochloride, Pierre and Polanco face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and a $4 million fine. In addition, all defendants are subject to the forfeiture of currency and real estate.
In November 2008, investigators from ATF, FDLE, SLCSO, SAO, and DEA began an investigation of a Treasure Coast and Brevard County drug distribution network allegedly operated by the defendants. This seven month labor-intensive investigation included the use of cooperating witnesses, undercover agents, tape-recorded conversations, and the execution of numerous search warrants. The investigation established that this drug distribution network was part of a larger cocaine trafficking and importation network controlled by Pierre and Polanco in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
So far, this investigation and prosecution has resulted in the seizure of approximately 243 kilograms of cocaine powder, 400 grams of crack cocaine, 477 grams of marijuana, 618 grams of ecstasy, 12 firearms, $131,152 cash, and jewelry with an estimated retail value of approximately $1.4 million.
Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of all the investigating agencies. In particular, Mr. Sloman thanked the St. Lucie Sheriff's Office for their outstanding work on this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer C. Millien, Rinku Talwar, and Antonia Barnes.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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