U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
One Defendant Sentenced To 12 Years in Prison, Another Pleads Guilty to Heroin Trafficking in New Orleans East
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that RICKY MARQUETTE BOZEMAN, age 37, of Laplace, was sentenced today after having previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin.
U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced BOZEMAN to 144 months incarceration, to be followed by four years of supervised release.
Also announced was that VINCENT JONES, age 45, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over one kilogram of heroin. JONES is facing not less than 20 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, as well as a possible fine of up to $20,000,000. Judge Barbier set sentencing on January 21, 2016.
BOZEMAN and JONES were two 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.
“Heroin is leading to alarming levels of violence and overdose deaths in our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite. “Because of the danger posed by this dangerous narcotic, our Office will be vigilant in fighting heroin trafficking, and the loss of life that stems from it, in all parts of Southeast Louisiana.”
“Heroin has become an epidemic in the New Orleans area and DEA is attacking the criminals who target the weak and addicted with their violent drug trafficking,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Brown. “Heroin trafficking is the worst of the worst, preying on and sometimes creating an addict population which leads to other types of crime and violence. This investigation demonstrates the commitment of the DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to dismantle these groups and send them to federal prison.”
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.
Updated October 15, 2015
Topic
Drug Trafficking
Component