Two Defendants Sentenced for Narcotics Conspiracy and Firearms Violations

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today that ANDRE STAGGERS, a/k/a “Dre,” age 44, and GREGORY LONDON, JR., a/k/a “Lil Gregg,” age 43, were sentenced Wednesday, November 14, 2018 after having been convicted after a five-day trial that was held in August 2018 before U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon.  STAGGERS and LONDON were two of four defendants who were convicted.

STAGGERS, a resident of LaPlace, was convicted 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 STAGGERS to a term of life imprisonment plus five years.  The additional five-year sentence was mandatory for having been convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

LONDON, also of LaPlace, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and use of a communications facility in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Judge Lemmon sentenced him to 120 months in prison and eight years of supervised release. 

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.

The sentencing of two other defendants who were convicted at trial, COREY SESSION, age 44, of St. Rose, and LEONARD MORRISON, a/k/a “Leonard London,” age 36, also of St. Rose, is scheduled for November 29, 2018, before Judge Lemmon.

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.