ST. BERNARD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO
ASSAULTING FEDERAL OFFICER
JOHN V. CLARK, age 26, a resident of Arabi, Louisiana, pled guilty today in federal court before visiting U. S. District Judge Frederic Block of the Eastern District of New York to assaulting a federal officer, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the factual basis, on August 13, 2008, law enforcement officers were conducting surveillance as part of an investigation into heroin trafficking in the area of Poland Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana . CLARK admitted that on August 13, 2009, he traveled to that area and purchased a quantity of heroin. As officers moved in to arrest the defendant, CLARK attempted to hit a federal agent with his vehicle as he tried to escape. The agent successfully jumped out the way as he fired at the vehicle, which eventually came to a stop. During a search of CLARK’s vehicle, law enforcement discovered a syringe with blood and a spoon that contained heroin residue in the vehicle. Subsequent investigation revealed that in May, 2008, CLARK was convicted of felony possession of heroin in Orleans Parish.
The defendants faces a possible maximum sentence of eight (8) years imprisonment and three years of supervised release. Sentencing has been scheduled for April 7, 2010.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration along with officers with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin G. Boitmann.
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