Craig James, Cocaine Trafficking, Louisiana 2017

A Houston man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking operation that spanned from Houston to New Orleans.

Craig James, 39, of Houston, was sentenced to 156 months of incarceration, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for his conviction on one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride and twenty-eight grams or more of cocaine base.

According to court documents, James, along with codefendants Joppa Jackson, Lazandy Daniels, and Leon Jackson, Jr., conspired to distribute cocaine in the New Orleans area. In 2015, James traveled to New Orleans multiple times per month in order to deliver kilogram quantities of cocaine to his local customers, including Joppa Jackson, Daniels, and Leon Jackson.

Joppa Jackson pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine hydrochloride. Sentencing for Joppa Jackson is scheduled for October 5, 2017.

Lazandy Daniels was convicted by a jury on June 14, 2017, of conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride and 27 grams or more of cocaine base (crack) (2 counts), possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack) (2 counts), and knowingly and intentionally distributing cocaine base (crack). Sentencing for Daniels is scheduled for October 19, 2017.

Leon Jackson pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine hydrochloride and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack). Leon Jackson was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon S. Long and Theodore Carter are in charge of the prosecution.

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