Eight Charged in Multi-State Cocaine Trafficking Ring

Baton Rouge, LA – In a sweeping operation, eight individuals have been indicted in connection with a multi-state cocaine trafficking network spanning Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi, according to a recent federal indictment.

The indictment, unsealed on [date], charges the defendants with significant drug trafficking offenses involving cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin, as well as distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin.

The defendants, ranging in age from 30 to 51, include:

• Arthur Johnson, Jr., a.k.a. “Nelson Howard,” “Wood,” and “Dread,” 40, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, CEO of “Ruff-n-Rugged Entertainment” in Geismar, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, crack cocaine, and 100 grams or more of heroin;
• Lorenza Benitez Alday, a.k.a. “Old Woman,” “Old Lady,” and “Old Girl,” 51, of Gonzales, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin;
• Tom Christmas III, a.k.a. “Bald Head” and “Tom Jr.,” 40, of Geismar, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, crack cocaine, and 100 grams or more of heroin;
• Rodolfo De La Cruz Alday, 43, of Gonzales, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin;
• Norberto Aaron Bejarano, 30, of Houston, Texas, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin;
• Reginald Jackson, a.k.a. “Lemonhead,” 44, of Geismar, Louisiana, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, and heroin;
• Lashucklan Martin, a.k.a. “Fat,” 39, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin;
• Everett D. Ramsey, a.k.a. “Ram,” 30, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin;

If convicted, the defendants face significant terms of imprisonment, fines, and the forfeiture of proceeds from the illegal activity.

U.S. Attorney Walt Green stated, “Our office will continue to aggressively pursue drug traffickers using all legal means available. I commend the FBI, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, and all of the other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies who contributed to this important matter.”

The investigation was led by the Middle District Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Task Force (OCDETF), with assistance from the FBI, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies.

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