Leader of Violent Group Resentenced to Life Imprisonment Plus 30 Years

BATON ROUGE, LA – Acting U.S. Attorney Corey Amundson announced that U.S. District Judge Shelly D. Dick has re-sentenced Jeffery D. Perry, age 34, formerly of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to a term of life imprisonment, followed by a term of 30 years imprisonment, for federal drug trafficking and firearm-related violations.

Perry’s re-sentencing follows his unsuccessful appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which affirmed his convictions and returned the matter to the district court in order to increase his original prison term from life imprisonment plus 15 years to life imprisonment plus 30 years. 

On August 19, 2015, Perry was originally sentenced after being convicted following a multi-week jury trial in September 2014 of conspiring to distribute cocaine and “crack” cocaine, distributing cocaine and “crack” cocaine, car-jacking, possessing firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence and drug trafficking crimes, and possessing firearms while a convicted felon.

At his original sentencing hearing, the Court found that Perry made his living trafficking drugs and that he did whatever it took to protect his drug trafficking enterprise.  As an example of his danger to the community, the Court noted that reliable evidence suggested that Perry had hired an individual and two young men to set an elderly man’s house on fire. These two young men died later that day as a result of burns they sustained from the arson they had committed.  During sentencing, the Court noted Perry’s cold-blooded and callous statements about one of the arsonists, as he lay dying in his backyard, seeking medical assistance for the injuries he sustained from the fire Perry had hired him to set.

Evidence at trial showed that, from August 2006 until September 2011, Perry led a drug-trafficking endeavor within Baton Rouge operating largely on Evergreen Street, Louisiana Street, and Delphine Street, which distributed kilogram and multi-ounce amounts of cocaine and “crack” cocaine.  Customers used cash, stolen equipment, firearms, and food stamps to purchase in those locations varying amounts of cocaine and “crack” cocaine from Perry.  He used “crack” addicts to test the quality of the “crack” he cooked before selling it to others.

As the Court found, Perry often used violence.  As another example, evidence at trial showed that Perry solicited the assistance of Mark Allen to rob another individual who had been supplying him with kilogram amounts of cocaine.   A few days after this robbery, Perry enlisted Allen’s assistance to rob one of his customers of approximately $80,000.   During this robbery, Allen shot and wounded the customer and car-jacked him.  After Allen met Perry and handed the cash he had taken during the armed robbery over to Perry, the latter rewarded Allen, whom he then knew to be a convicted felon, with an ounce of “crack” cocaine and a Taurus .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol to protect himself against any reprisals the victim or his friends might take as a result of the robbery Allen had committed.

Other Group Members

• On August 31, 2011, following trial, a jury convicted Donald Frank of conspiracy to distribute cocaine for conduct arising from his drug trafficking endeavors, on behalf of Perry.   On March 6, 2012, he was sentenced to serve a time of life imprisonment by United States District Judge James J. Brady.

• On June 16, 2015, Judge Dick sentenced Jermaine Chapman who, along with Perry, had also been convicted of drug trafficking and firearm-related violations at trial, to a forty-five year term of imprisonment.

• On June 18, 2015, Judge Dick sentenced Charles Boyer who, along with Perry and Chapman, had also been convicted at trial of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, to a ten year term of imprisonment.

Acting U.S. Attorney Amundson stated, “Perry and his co-conspirators brutalized and victimized neighborhoods for years.  This outcome very clearly illustrates the ability of the federal system, in partnership with our state and local partners, to make a real difference against group-based violent crime.  I greatly appreciate the excellent work of the prosecutors and the federal, state, and local agents who handled this important matter.  The recently created Violent Criminal Enterprises Strike Force, with the support of the community, seeks to institutionalize this successful approach to make our neighborhoods safer and more secure.”  

DEA Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Brad Byerley stated, “Federal, state and local law enforcement have successfully collaborated in order to put this violent drug dealer in jail for the rest of his life as a result of his desire to supply the citizens of Baton Rouge with cocaine.  This life sentence sends a message that violent drug traffickers, such as Jeffery Perry, will be held accountable for their crimes.  DEA and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together to keep our community safe.”

Interim Chief Jonathan Dunnam of the Baton Rouge Police Department stated, “This case is proof that federal, state and local agencies all working together to end group violence in Baton Rouge can and will be effective. We look forward to working with the new Violent Criminal Enterprises Strike Force to help reduce violent crime in our community.”

Col. Kevin Reeves of the Louisiana State Police stated, “Robust partnerships and operational collaboration will continue to yield success as public safety remains our number one priority in Louisiana.  I am thankful for the hard work of our Troopers and all of the partners involved in this investigation.”

This matter was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Baton Rouge City Police, with valuable assistance from the Louisiana State Police, including its crime lab, and the Jefferson County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Piedrahita, who serves as Litigation Counsel, and Assistant United States Attorney Chris Dippel, who serves as a Deputy Chief in the Criminal Division.