St. Rose Man Sentenced After Trial for Narcotics Conspiracy and Firearms Violations

SESSION was convicted at trial of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and five hundred grams or more of cocaine, along with firearms charges.  Judge Lemmon sentenced SESSION to a term of life imprisonment plus five years.  The additional five-year sentence was mandatory for his having been convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to evidence presented at trial, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted an investigation from January 2015 through February 2016, concerning distribution of cocaine and heroin in St. Charles and St. John the Baptist Parishes.  The federal investigation, which was conducted in coordination with state and local law enforcement, resulted in the seizure of nearly one kilogram of heroin along with scales, money counters, firearms, and over $480,000.00 in cash.

SESSION was the last defendant to be sentenced of the four that were convicted after trial in August 2018.   ANDRE STAGGERS, a/k/a “Dre,” of LaPlace, who was also convicted of heroin and cocaine distribution conspiracy and firearms violations, was sentenced to life imprisonment plus five years.  GREGORY LONDON, a/k/a “Lil Gregg,” of LaPlace, was sentenced to ten years in prison for cocaine distribution conspiracy.  LEONARD MORRISON, a/k/a “Leonard London,” of St. Rose, was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for possession of a firearm as an armed career criminal.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the conviction as the result of a coordinated effort of federal and state law enforcement authorities within the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program.  The DEA’s HIDTA Group #11, operating out of the New Orleans Field Division, includes members from DEA, U.S. Border Patrol, Louisiana State Police, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Gretna Police Department, Kenner Police Department, and St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office.  U.S. Attorney Strasser extended his thanks to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for their assistance in this investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew R. Payne, Brittany L. Reed, and David Howard Sinkman handled the prosecution and trial.  Also assisting in the prosecution was Special Assistant United States Attorney Andre Gaudin, who is assigned from the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office to the DEA HIDTA Group.