Marrero Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison on Federal Drug and Gun Charges

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that STOKLEY AUSTIN, age 33, of Marrero, was sentenced yesterday after previously pleading guilty to distribution and possession with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride and a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”), possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced AUSTIN to 25 years in prison for his role in a large-scale drug conspiracy involving five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride and related firearms offenses.

According to court documents, the conspiracy involved multiple kilogram quantities of powder cocaine being transported into the New Orleans metropolitan area and delivered to AUSTIN and his associates. At the time of AUSTIN’s arrest on July 23, 2013, agents discovered approximately 2485.7 gross grams of powder cocaine, approximately 39.7 gross grams of crack cocaine, approximately $45,870 cash, a loaded Smith and Wesson .22 caliber rifle, a loaded Ruger P-89 9mm semi-automatic pistol, in addition to drug distribution and packaging materials at his residence.  On that same date, an associate of AUSTIN’s was arrested at the associate’s residence where agents discovered approximately 1907 gross grams of powder cocaine, approximately 63 gross grams of crack cocaine, approximately 269 gross grams of heroin, approximately $22,535 cash, and four guns: an AK-47 assault rifle, a Browning Arms 9mm pistol, a Smith & Wesson .22 caliber pistol, and Taurus 9mm pistol.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Westwego Police Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Theodore R. Carter, III and Spiro Latsis were in charge of the prosecution.