NEW ORLEANS, LA – The streets of New Orleans’ Seventh Ward are a little less flooded with poison today after three key players in a heroin distribution network received federal prison sentences. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the sentences Friday, closing a chapter on a conspiracy that peddled death in one of the city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.
DARRELL LEWIS, a/k/a “Lil’ Darrell,” age 32, was identified as the ringleader and received the harshest penalty: 20 years in prison, followed by a 10-year supervised release. Lewis pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and conspiracy to possess and use firearms in furtherance of a drug conspiracy – a clear indication this wasn’t just about moving weight, but protecting the operation with muscle.
His lieutenants, KEVIN WALKER, age 25, and CARL LEWIS, a/k/a “Curl,” age 26, also felt the weight of federal justice. Carl Lewis received 10 years imprisonment and an eight-year supervised release. Walker got 72 months behind bars, followed by four years on release. Both men admitted to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and the associated firearm charges, painting a picture of a tightly-knit crew operating with brazen disregard for the law.
The investigation, focused on the intersection of Frenchmen and North Villere Streets, revealed that Lewis, Walker, Carl Lewis, and STERLING PIPKINS, a/k/a “Shoe,” age 32, were the core of the operation. They weren’t just users; they were suppliers, pushing heroin to both street-level addicts and other dealers, expanding the reach of the deadly drug. Pipkins is scheduled for sentencing on June 1, 2017.
This wasn’t a small-time operation. Eight other individuals have already pleaded guilty in connection with the conspiracy, including DARRYL LEWIS (sentencing July 13, 2017), CONQUISTADORE MARTIN (140 months imprisonment, sentenced April 20, 2017), NICHREN RADCLIFFE (70 months imprisonment, sentenced April 20, 2017), MICHAEL MCQUITTY (sentencing July 20, 2017), NERIMANE BOUCHAMA (sentencing August 10, 2017), DEMOINDE ROWLEY, TYRONE HUDSON, and IRVIN WATSON (all scheduled for sentencing June 1, 2017). The breadth of the network shows how deeply embedded this poison was in the community.
The FBI New Orleans Field Office led the investigation, with crucial assistance from the DEA New Orleans Field Division, the New Orleans Police Department, the Major Crimes Task Force, the FBI Kansas City Division (Jefferson City Resident Office), and the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Payne, Shirin Hakimzadeh, and Andre Lagarde are handling the prosecution. While these sentences represent a victory, the Grimy Times will continue to track the remaining defendants and monitor the Seventh Ward for any resurgence of this dangerous operation.
RELATED: Dore Faces Years for Threatening South Louisiana Officials
RELATED: Darrell Lewis Pleads Guilty in Seventh Ward Heroin, Gun Ring
Related Federal Cases
- 23andMe Faces Legal Fire for Genetic Data Sale · Washington
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- 23andMe Faces Lawsuit for Selling Genetic Data · Washington
- Meth & Heroin Ring Lands Liberty, Excelsior Springs Men in Prison · Kansas
- Emmanuel Ugbaja Charged in $60K Money Laundering Scheme · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News