BEAUMONT, Texas – Six Shelby County residents have been handed down federal convictions for a range of gun and drug violations. Leading the charge was Lakeva Shillette Hill, known as Sugar Momma, who faces up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Lester Earl Pitts, once a certified peace officer, pleaded guilty to providing firearms to drug traffickers and felons. The former Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputy faces up to 10 years for his role. Vincent Jermaine Lathan, known as Reed Cartwright, faces 20 years for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Cornelius Vansharles Gray and Anthony Gene Chumbley each face up to five and ten years respectively for their involvement in drug trafficking conspiracies. Andrae Demarkqudell Pegues, also known as Mark, faces up to five years for making a false statement to the ATF regarding a firearm.
According to court documents, Pitts was employed by Shelby County Sheriff’s Office from February 2011 to January 2013. He purchased firearms for Hill and Gray, both felons, despite knowing their illegal activities. In May 2010, he provided a pistol to Pegues, who was also a convicted felon.
Pitts’ actions didn’t end there; he filed a false burglary report and instructed Pegues to conceal the truth from law enforcement. Sentencing dates for these grim convictions have yet to be scheduled.
This case has been a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Texas Department of Public Safety, Center Police Department, and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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