Defendant from Operation “Wild Wild East” Pleads Guilty

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that New Orleans resident BETH MARIE NGUYEN, age 38, pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over one kilogram of heroin.

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier will sentence NGUYEN on November 12, 2015.  NGUYEN is facing 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, as well as a possible fine of up to $10,000,000.

NGUYEN was one of twelve defendants charged in a 23-count indictment on July 25, 2014.  According to court documents, this indictment sprung from an investigation into a heroin-trafficking organization operating in New Orleans East.  This organization was responsible for distributing at least 15 kilograms of heroin in the New Orleans area.  As part of the arrests in this case, federal agents have seized from the twelve defendants approximately $1,200,000 in assets (a combination of vehicles, currency, jewelry, and real property) as proceeds made from the sale of heroin.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution.