Drug Dealer Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Trafficking Oxycodone After Being Convicted At Trial

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney Walt Green announced the results of another federal prosecution related to the trafficking of opiates.  U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced KENDRICK D. ALEXANDER, age 43, of Baton Rouge and New Iberia, Louisiana, to serve 10 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  ALEXANDER was also ordered to forfeit $60,000 in drug-trafficking related proceeds and pay a $25,000 fine. 

On March 12, 2015, following a four-day jury trial, ALEXANDER was convicted of possession with the intent to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(a)(1).  Evidence at trial showed ALEXANDER to be a significant drug trafficker who served as a supplier for lower-level dealers.  To illustrate, the evidence showed that, from August 5, 2014 to August 14, 2014, in a series of recorded conversations, ALEXANDER negotiated a price of $60,000 for 5,000 30-mg oxycodone tablets and, in addition, had agreed to weekly drug deals at the same terms.  At trial, the evidence showed that ALEXANDER intended to sell the oxycodone pills to other drug dealers for further distribution.  Following the aforementioned negotiations, when stopped by law enforcement officers on August 14, 2014, ALEXANDER had $60,000 in a white paper bag, which monies were intended for the drug deal. 

U.S. Attorney Green stated:  “The opiate and heroin epidemic is an increasing national problem perpetuated by wholesale traffickers, like this defendant, who seek to exploit the addicted for profit.  This sentencing should serve as a reminder of the significant prison terms and monetary penalties that await such offenders.  I appreciate the efforts of the DEA and BRPD who continue to work together with our office and others in the law enforcement community to aggressively battle opiates and heroin.” 

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Baton Rouge Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cam Le and Ryan Crosswell.