NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that COREY SESSION, age 44, of St. Rose, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday after having been convicted after a five-day trial that was held in August 2018 before U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon. SESSION was the last defendant to be sentenced in this case.
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.
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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.
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U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announces the sentencing yesterday of LUIS J. COTTO, age 31, a resident of New York, for charges stemming from a heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon. Judge Lemmon sentenced COTTO to a total of (78) months in prison followed by (2) years of supervised release.
According to court documents, beginning in 2015 through 2016, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted an investigation that revealed the existence of a drug trafficking ring operating in St. Rose and LaPlace, Louisiana. Agents learned that COTTO was a source of narcotics for members of this conspiracy, driving narcotics into Louisiana from Texas, where he had owned a residence as well.
Court documents also outline that, on August 7, 2016, COTTO was stopped for a traffic violation while headed southwest on Interstate 44 near Vinita, Oklahoma, by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Based on COTTO’S suspicious conduct, the trooper called a trained drug canine to conduct an open-air sniff of COTTO’S vehicle. The canine alerted to the presence of contraband in the car. State troopers searched the vehicle and found approximately $225,000.00 in U.S. currency wrapped in plastic in one of the door panels.
COTTO is one of the last defendants to be sentenced in this case. Four defendants, who were convicted after trial, Andre Staggers, Corey Session, Gregory London, Jr., and Leonard Morrison, will be sentenced by Judge Lemmon on November 8, 2018.
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 of the Louisiana State Police, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and other local agencies. 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 are in charge of the prosecution. Also assisting in the prosecution is Special Assistant United States Attorney Andre Gaudin, who is assigned from the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office to the DEA HIDTA Group.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ANDRE STAGGERS, a/k/a “Dre,” age 44, COREY SESSION, age 44, GREGORY LONDON, JR., a/k/a “Lil Gregg,” age 42, and LEONARD MORRISON, a/k/a “Leonard London,” age 36, were convicted today after a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon.
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.
STAGGERS, a resident of LaPlace, and SESSION, a resident of St. Rose, were convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine, along with firearms charges. They face a minimum of ten years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000.00 fine, and at least five years of supervised release. LONDON, a resident of LaPlace, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and he faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, a $5,000,000.00 fine, and at least four years of supervised release. MORRISON, a resident of St. Rose, was convicted of possession of a firearm as a felon. He faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Evans 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 of the 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, and other local agencies. U.S. Attorney Evans 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 are in charge of the prosecution.
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LUIS J. COTTO, age 31, a resident of New York, pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from a heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon.
According to court documents, beginning in 2015 through 2016, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted an investigation that revealed the existence of a drug trafficking ring operating in St. Rose and LaPlace, Louisiana. Agents learned that COTTO was a source of narcotics for members of this conspiracy, driving narcotics into Louisiana from Texas, where he had owned a residence as well.
Court documents also outline that, on August 7, 2016, COTTO was stopped for a traffic violation while headed southwest on Interstate 44 near Vinita, Oklahoma, by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Based on COTTO’S suspicious conduct, the trooper called a trained drug canine to conduct an open-air sniff of COTTO’S vehicle. The canine alerted to the presence of contraband in the car. State troopers searched the vehicle and found approximately $225,000.00 in U.S. currency wrapped in plastic in one of the door panels.
COTTO pleaded guilty to the charges pending against him in the Third Superseding Indictment. As to Count 1, conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and five kilograms or more of cocaine, he faces a mandatory minimum term of ten years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000.00 fine, and at least five years of supervised release. He also pleaded guilty to Count 12, use of a communications device in furtherance of drug trafficking, which carries up to four years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, and up to one year of supervised release. Judge Lemmon scheduled sentencing for October 25, 2018. Four remaining defendants, Andre Staggers, Corey Session, Gregory London, Jr., and Leonard Morrison, are pending for trial on August 6th before Judge Lemmon.
U.S. Attorney Evans 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 of the Louisiana State Police, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and other local agencies. U.S. Attorney Evans 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 are in charge of the prosecution.
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Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, announces the arrest of LUIS J. COTTO, a/k/a “Luis Pereira,” age 31, of New York, following the unsealing of a Second Superseding Indictment charging an array of federal narcotics and firearm violations by members of a drug trafficking organization operating in south Louisiana.
The Second Superseding Indictment, which was returned by the grand jury on October 27, 2017, and unsealed today charges seven defendants with conspiring to distribute controlled dangerous substances in the parishes of St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and elsewhere. As with the prior Indictment, this Second Superseding Indictment alleges that the conspirators included ANDRE STAGGERS, a/k/a “Dre,” age 43; COREY SESSION, age 43; GREGORY LONDON, JR., a/k/a “Lil Gregg,” age 41; TERRANCE ANDERSON, a/k/a “City,” age 35; KIRK BALLARD, age 36; and LEONARD MORRISON, a/k/a “Leonard London,” age 35.
This Second Superseding Indictment names COTTO as an additional co-conspirator. COTTO was arrested today at his residence in Utica, New York, pursuant to a federal arrest warrant issued after the Second Superseding Indictment was returned by the grand jury.
The Second Superseding Indictment also alleges that COTTO was responsible for more than one kilogram of heroin and five kilograms of cocaine through his own conduct and the reasonably foreseeable conduct of his co-conspirators. The Second Superseding Indictment asserts that, on or about August 7, 2016, COTTO transported more than $225,000 in cash in furtherance of the drug conspiracy.
According to the Second Superseding Indictment, these defendants conspired together from approximately January 2015 through August 2016 to distribute heroin, cocaine, and marijuana in the Eastern District of Louisiana and elsewhere. The scope of the conspiracy encompassed at least five kilograms or more of cocaine and one kilogram or more of heroin. During the course of this investigation, federal and state law enforcement officers seized various drugs, including cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine.
According to court documents, search warrants executed on February 25, 2016, at two residences used by COREY SESSION resulted in the seizure of two AK-style rifles, approximately $10,000 in cash, and a half kilogram of cocaine. A search warrant executed the same day at the residence of ANDRE STAGGERS resulted in the seizure of an AR-15 rifle, a half kilogram of heroin, and over $400,000 in cash.
If convicted for violating federal drug conspiracy laws, the defendants face the following penalties. STAGGERS, SESSION, LONDON Jr., ANDERSON, BALLARD, and COTTO each face a maximum of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release. MORRISON faces a maximum of 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release.
STAGGERS, SESSION, and MORRISON also are charged with federal firearms violations. STAGGERS is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon, for which he could receive up to ten years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. SESSION and MORRISON are each charged with possession of a firearm as an armed career criminal, for which each could receive a minimum of fifteen years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment, a $250,000.00 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. STAGGERS, SESSION, and MORRISON are also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, for which they each face a minimum of five years in prison consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the Second Superseding Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This Second Superseding Indictment represents 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 of the Louisiana State Police, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and other local agencies. Acting U.S. Evans thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration Syracuse Field Office and the Utica Police Department for their assistance in arresting COTTO.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Payne and Special Assistant United States Attorney Andre Gaudin, who is assigned from the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office to the DEA HIDTA Group.
