Hammond Men Indicted for Participation in Drug Related Homicides and in Drug Overdose Death

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that BARON SMITH, a/k/a “Gee Gee,” age 36, and CALVIN ALEXANDER, a/k/a “Payday,” a/k/a “Cardee,” age 30, both of Hammond, have been charged in a Second Superseding Indictment with participating in the October 9, 2015 double murder of QUNADELL BEARD and ELLIOT SMITH, which took place in Tangipahoa Parish.   This Second Superseding Indictment added CALVIN ALEXANDER to the murder charges that were already pending against BARON SMITH and also charges ALEXANDER with distributing heroin in February 2015, which led to the overdose death of ERIC FERRARA. 

The Grand Jury charged both SMITH and ALEXANDER with first degree murder for their participation in these murders.  Both were charged with violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(j), which relates to the illegal discharge of a firearm during the course of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death of another person.  They were also charged with conspiracy to use a facility of interstate commerce to commit a murder for hire, in violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 1958.  The Second Superseding Indictment also includes other violations of the federal drug laws and obstruction of justice charges.  If convicted both ALEXANDER and SMITH face a mandatory life sentence.  ALEXANDER could face the death penalty, however the Attorney General has not yet decided if the government will seek the death penalty in this case. 

Both defendants are currently in federal custody and have been detained without bond. 

U.S. Polite indicated that these are simply charges and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from Hammond Police Department and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.   Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.