Superseding Indictment Returned For Violations Of The Federal Controlled Substances Act And Federal Gun Control Act

GIE PRESTON, age 38; BURNELL ALLEN, age  33; SONNY ALLEN, age  40;  LIONEL ALLEN, age 19; EUGENE ALLEN, age  30; EMANUEL CASAME, age  25; and MARK RAYFIELD, age 25, all residents of New Orleans, were charged yesterday in a 16-count superseding indictment unsealed today.  Defendant PRESTON had previously been indicted in March 2012.  The superseding indictment charges all defendants with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base “crack”.   Defendants PRESTON, SONNY ALLEN, EUGENE ALLEN, BURNELL ALLEN, and LIONEL ALLEN were also charged with conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.  In addition, PRESTON and LIONEL ALLEN were charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug crimes.  Finally, PRESTON was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

If convicted of the drug conspiracy, all defendants face a maximum penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment, a fine of $10,000,000 and a 5 year term of supervised release.  Additionally, PRESTON faces an additional maximum penalty of 30 years to life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a 3 year term of supervised release to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.  Finally, LIONEL ALLEN faces an additional maximum penalty of 5 years to life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a 3 year term of supervised release to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.

U.S. Attorney Boente reiterated that the superseding indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

(Download Superseding Indictment )