Defendant’s Plead Guilty To Violations Of The Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, The Federal Gun Control And Controlled Substances Acts, And Obstruction Of Justice

TRAVIS HUDSON, age 29; RODERICK WIGGINS, age 22; SHAYNE LEBLANC, age 40, all residents of Harvey, Louisiana; as well as TOREY RICHARDSON, age 21, a resident of Marrero, Louisiana; and AKAI SULLIVAN, age 27, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, all pled guilty in federal court yesterday before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts, and Obstruction of Justice, announced
U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.

TRAVIS HUDSON
Pled guilty to:
Count 1 – RICO Conspiracy
Possible sentence – maximum term of life imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000.00 and a five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

Count 21 – Distribution of Cocaine Base.
Possible sentence – maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $1,000,000.00, and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment

RODERICK WIGGINS and TOREY RICHARDSON, both pled guilty to:
Count 1 – RICO Conspiracy
Possible sentence – each face a maximum term of life imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000.00 and five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

Count 2 – Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute over 25 grams Cocaine Base
Possible sentence – each face a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00 and at least five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

Count 5 – Conspiracy to Possess Firearms During and In Relation to Crimes of Violence and Drug Trafficking Offenses
Possible sentence – each face a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000.00, and at least three (3) years supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

SHAYNE LEBLANC, pled guilty to a one count Bill of Information with violations of Conspiracy to Manufacture and Possess with the Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Cocaine Base.
LEBLANC faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a maximum of $1,000,000.00 in fines and at least three (3) years supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

AKAI SULLIVAN, pled guilty to Count 6 Obstruction of Justice. SULLIVAN faces a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a maximum of $250,000.00 in fines and a maximum of three (3) years supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

This case arose out of a joint investigation by ATF, FBI, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. This investigation targeted an area which exhibited a disproportionate amount of violent crimes and narcotics trafficking. During the course of the investigation, specific individuals were identified as the main perpetrators of many of the violent acts and much of the narcotics distribution. It was revealed that a group of individuals operated in various areas of Harvey, Louisiana, specifically the neighborhoods known as Scottsdale and Haydel. This group controlled these areas for their narcotics distribution activities through violence and through threats of violence, to include murder, attempted murder, obstruction and assaults. They were referred to as the “Harvey Hustlers” and/or “Murder Squad”.

The “Murder Squad”, or “MS”, was a faction of the Harvey Hustlers composed primarily of individuals residing in the Harvey, Louisiana area of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. While they primarily operated on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish, members conducted business in other parts of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The “Harvey Hustlers” also referred to as “HH” originated in the Harvey area in the mid-1980s. Members of the organization “hustled” meaning they distributed illegal narcotics. The original goal of the Harvey Hustlers was to make money from sales of illegal narcotics.

Sentencing for these defendants is scheduled for April 18, 2013.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau Investigation, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Duane A. Evans and Bill McSherry.

(Download Indictment - TRAVIS HUDSON )

(Download Indictment - RODERICK WIGGINS )

(Download Indictment - TOREY RICHARDSON )

(Download Indictment - SHAYNE LEBLANC )

(Download Indictment - AKAI SULLIVAN )