Bogalusa Man and Woman Sentenced for Cocaine Trafficking

A Bogalusa man and woman, accused of playing a significant role in a local drug trafficking organization, have been sentenced to prison and probation. Raymond Bridges, 53, and Mary Doughty, 65, both residents of Bogalusa, were handed down the sentences in connection with their guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine base.

U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey sentenced Bridges to a 24-month term of imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release. Doughty, on the other hand, received a 24-month term of probation. The sentencing comes after a lengthy investigation that targeted a drug trafficking organization operating out of the Bogalusa area.

According to documents, Bridges and Doughty were two of 15 defendants charged in an 8-count indictment in February 2014. The indictment was based on court-authorized wiretaps that recorded conversations between Steven Haynes, who has pleaded guilty in this case, and the defendants, concerning the distribution of powder cocaine that was later converted to crack and sold in Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes.

The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, revealed that the defendants were involved in a sophisticated network that distributed large quantities of cocaine in the region. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael E. McMahon.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite praised the work of the DEA in investigating the matter, saying that their efforts led to the dismantling of a significant drug trafficking organization. The sentencing of Bridges and Doughty brings an end to a lengthy and complex case that highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking in the region.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

This case is a reminder that drug trafficking has severe consequences, not only for those involved but also for the communities affected by it. The Grimy Times urges residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.