Baton Rouge Bust: 41 Indicted in Massive Drug Ring

BATON ROUGE, LA – A sprawling drug operation flooding the streets of Baton Rouge has been crippled by a coordinated federal takedown, resulting in charges against 41 individuals. The United States Attorney’s Office, alongside a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, announced the return of three grand jury indictments today, detailing a network dealing in methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base. The scope of the operation marks the largest narcotics prosecution in the history of the district.

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin revealed the indictments stem from a long-term investigation spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), operating under the Middle District Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Task Force (OCDETF). Crucial assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Baton Rouge City Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police. The U.S. Marshal’s Service, and Sheriffs’ Offices in Ascension, Iberville, and West Baton Rouge Parishes also contributed to the arrests.

The first indictment, United States v. Travis R. James et al., Criminal No. 18-21-SDD-RLB, names fifteen defendants: TRAVIS R. JAMES, TROY L. JAMES, HARRIS HAMPTON, III, JOSHUA J. MANSION, SIDNEY L. JARVIS, D’MARI D. HARDING, KIM K. MURPHY, YASCIA N. LAFRANCE, CARL W. RICHARD, JR., MELVIN A. JACOBS, MICHAEL D. NELSON, ANTHONY DUPARD, CORNELIUS J. CARTER, COREY L. KING, and BRIAN W. HOLLINGSWORTH. Most are Baton Rouge residents, with KING and HOLLINGSWORTH hailing from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. They face twenty-eight counts including conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin; possession with the intent to distribute; distribution of narcotics; possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and unlawful use of communication facilities.

A second indictment, United States v. James C. Hull et al., Criminal No. 18-22-JWD-EWD, targets five Baton Rouge residents: JAMES C. HULL, BYRON A. LAWSON, HENRY J. HAYES, DARIUSS SPRIVEY, and BRIAN HERNANDEZ. This group is accused of twenty-one counts mirroring those in the first case: conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine base, along with related possession, distribution, and firearms charges. The use of communication facilities to facilitate these crimes is also alleged.

The final indictment, United States v. Cody Stafford et al., Criminal No. 18-23-BAJ-EWD, lists twenty-one defendants all based in Baton Rouge: CODY STAFFORD, DUSTIN HENDERSON, BEN HAMMET, SAM E. 0KINAMORE, BRITTANY P. YOUNG, WILLIAM W. LIPSCOMB, FRANK W. LIPSCOMB, ASHLEY L. IMPSON, SHANNON E. JOHNSON, SAMUEL RICHARDSON, BRIAN N. DANNA, HEATHER R. WEBBER, DALE ODOM, GREGORY A. LOLLIS, BRANDON S. KINAMORE, ROBERT T. SANDERS, JENNIFER LEVITE, JOBY V. LETARD, STACY TAYLOR, JOHNNY MASON, and SHAYLA T. PAYNE. The indictment contains thirty-four counts, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute her…[incomplete sentence in source document].

If convicted, each of the forty-one defendants faces significant terms of imprisonment, substantial fines, restitution orders, and potential forfeiture of assets obtained through their illegal activities. This investigation demonstrates a unified front against the scourge of narcotics and the violence that accompanies it, sending a clear message that those who profit from poisoning communities will be held accountable. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.