Kevin Gonzales, 25, of Houston, and Earl Brown, 32, of New Orleans, are headed to federal prison for their roles in a cross-state heroin trafficking operation that exploited Megabus routes to transport half-kilogram shipments from Texas to Louisiana. The duo admitted to running a steady supply line into Central City, fueling addiction and violence in already-struggling neighborhoods.
Gonzales was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, while Brown received 30 months behind bars and three years of supervision. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, charges stemming from a 21-count Superseding Indictment handed down on September 18, 2015, after a sweeping FBI investigation.
The operation centered on Loyola Avenue and Harmony Street—a notorious hub for narcotics and gang activity in New Orleans. According to court documents, Gonzales made repeated trips via Megabus, smuggling bulk heroin in his luggage, while Brown coordinated local distribution with a network of street-level dealers.
U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier handed down the sentences, emphasizing the calculated nature of the conspiracy and the danger posed by industrial-scale heroin trafficking. The Megabus method revealed a chilling innovation—criminals using intercity transit systems to avoid detection and bypass traditional drug interdiction checkpoints.
The FBI’s New Orleans Gang Task Force (NOGTF) led the probe, with critical support from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. Investigators used wiretaps, surveillance, and controlled buys to dismantle the network over months of relentless work.
Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long prosecuted the case. U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite commended the law enforcement collaboration, calling the convictions a major blow to an organization that profited from despair. The streets may breathe easier—for now.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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