Those traffickers will find no safe harbor or relief in this district. There was a large dead dog there of the kind hed seen crossing the floodplain. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the public understanding of organized crime's history and impact on American society. Screen rights to the book, published in 2018, have been acquired by Sony Pictures, according to news accounts. WBRZ made an editorial decision to release aspects of the interview before it was broadcast to allow the department ample time to respond. The man who made Baton Rouge headlines in the mid-1980s for the machine-gun killing of drug informant Adler "Barry" Seal died in the Louisiana. During Wednesday's sentencing, the Court found that Perrymade his living trafficking drugs and that he did whatever it took to protect his drug trafficking enterprise. Have a question about Government Services? It wasn't something I would have known was stolen. Once inside 1336 N. 36th street, officers wrote in their report, "There was a strong odor of burning marijuana in the residence with a visible smoke cloud." Main Office: Jeremiah Ardoin did not shield his identity and said he wanted to expose the truth in an explosive conversation with WBRZ Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto recently. The lengthy sentencing of this defendant should be taken as a message to those who want to sell drugs. Once that warrant was signed, officers found digital scales and bags with Marijuana residue, more than $3,000, two stolen guns, one in the attic, and a large amount of Marijuana in the toilet. The 1st Circuit, however, said the right of privacy is strictly personal and, as such, died with Barry Seal when he was killed Feb. 19, 1986. His cooperation led to the arrest of his colleague, Jason Acree, another BRPD narcotics officer charged with malfeasance for stealing drugs. Lawsuit by slain drug smuggler Barry Seal's daughter over 'American Made' deal dismissed. "If you saw a random black person walking around the street and hasn't done anything, they would tell us just to jump out the vehicle, grab them and pat them down without probable cause. A locked padlock A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. "Think about what this has cost," attorney Ron Haley said. Universal City Studios turned Barry Seal's story into the 2017 film "American Made" starring actor Tom Cruise as Seal, who was assassinated in February 1986 outside a Salvation Army halfway house on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge. Much of the resistance and pushback that has been publicly shown by a select few has been due to the implementation of these principles. - Shot on north Foster on Satuday night. 777 Florida Street, Suite 208 The defendant has brutalized and victimized neighborhoods for years while growing a drug trafficking empire responsible for the distribution of over $10 million worth of cocaine into our community. United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced that U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Shanard Zelron Banks, age 32, to 181 months in federal prison following his convictions for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, unlawful use of a communication facility, and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. Port Allen Pelicans basketball team soaring toward fourth-straight state title, Sample duo leading Scotlandville into playoffs, For help accessing the WBRZ-TV Public File, contact: Joey Verrett at, One person hurt in shooting along Burbank Drive. United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Christopher Jackson, age 37, of Ridgeland, Mississippi, to 150 months in federal prison following United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Dangelo Dontae Cornish, age 36, of Greensburg, to 14 months in federal prison following United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that a federal arrest warrant and criminal complaint was issued charging Charles T. Germany, age 66, of Walker, Louisiana, with interstate transmission Middle District of Louisiana The movie and book center on a fictional Texan who, while hunting antelope near the Rio Grande, stumbles across the bodies of heroin dealers in a desolate area of baked terracotta terrain. After the man takes a large stash of drug money discovered at the scene, a heart-pounding hunt for him propels the story toward a dark conclusion. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Escobar was killed in 1993. Warrants filed this week described Harris as the head of an extremely violent group of large-scale narcotics traffickers. According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, Banks controlled the organizations illegal pill-pressing operation whereby he and his co-conspirators used pill press machines, punches, dies, and pill pressing chemicals to illegally manufacture tens of thousands of counterfeit controlled substance pills. Banks was charged along with twenty other individuals in connection with an extensive federal, state, and local investigation by the Middle District Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) aimed at a drug trafficking organization FreeBandz based and operating in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The following ten (10) defendants are charged in the superseding indictment. Ronrico Terrell had 13 different charges that night alone. WAFB asked Marcelle if drugs were sold out of the home. I voiced my opinions several times, and I didn't agree with that. "Ardoin said the supervisors knew what was happening. The tip for the arrest came as a result of a Wanted bulletin printed Nov. Lt. Michael Tregre commented, I met with The Advocate on Thursday, itwas in the paper Friday morning and by Friday evening we had him in custody.Tregre added, Thats what you call quick service, and commented the information received was very productive, and provided the last missing piece of the puzzle.Richards, 27, who had lived at 119/125 Northwest 12th St., Reserve, wasconsidered the kingpin of a criminal narcotics organization which was raided July 9. Richards was indicted July 31, along with several other people, by a St. John grand jury for racketeering and money laundering. What he has told each person has resulted in a department investigation, officer transfers, a police officers arrest and hundreds of drug charges being dismissed. Convictions could carry lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines. "It's quite the oxymoron when police officers have quite the reputation within these communities that they are sworn to protect and individuals can call them by names for having done things that are improper, illegal and violate the community's constitutional rights.". A lock ( Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney Generals drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, money laundering organizations, and related criminal enterprises. The tip for the arrest came as a result of a "Wanted" bulletin printed Nov. During this robbery, Allen shot and wounded the customer and car-jacked him. "The process in how evidence is maintained has to be revamped," Moore, the attorney, said. BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Actions of Baton Rouge Police Dept. Beyond were two more bodies lying in the gaunt yellow grass. "Not to my knowledge, and even if there were drugs being sold out of this house, then there's a process by which we need to follow," said Marcelle. She also claimed a violation of the right of privacy. The OCDETF Program operates nationwide and combines the resources and unique expertise of numerous federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. On June 16, 2015, Judge Dick sentenced Jermaine Chapman who, along with Perry, had also been convicted of drug trafficking and firearm related violations at trial, to a forty-five year term of imprisonment. Harris is also accused of breaking into the home one of his associates killed in that double shooting, Harold Anthony, and stealing what was believed to be a pillowcase full of cash. Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney Generals drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises. ", When the responding officers, whose names have been concealed, tried arresting Terrell, he "attempted to tackle the detective bear hugging him. 777 Florida Street, Suite 208 Before he could be moved, Ardoin said his supervisors caught wind that he had complained to BRPD administration. Follow Joe Gyan Jr. on Twitter, @JoeGyanJr. Among his concerns, a quota system that targeted minorities. We will continue to work tirelessly to seek justice on behalf of the American people., DEA will continue to attack the scourge of illegal drug distribution in Baton Rouge and beyond, said DEA Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Arnett. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS In the courtroom, El Chapo "made eye contact with the actor, gave . On March 18, 2015, during the execution of a search warrant at a storage unit at 13822 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, law enforcement officers seized approximately 18 pounds of high-grade methamphetamine. The superseding indictment sets forth over 50 pages of allegations, charging defendants with allegedly participating in multi-state conspiracies involving the trafficking of high-potency heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, as well as money laundering, the use of the mail in aid of racketeering, and the possession and use of firearms, including an AR/15 assault weapon, in furtherance of drug trafficking. In plain sight, officers saw Marijuana floating in the toilet. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Port Allen Pelicans basketball team soaring toward fourth-straight state title, Sample duo leading Scotlandville into playoffs, For help accessing the WBRZ-TV Public File, contact: Joey Verrett at, One person hurt in shooting along Burbank Drive. Ardoin is now talking to the WBRZ Investigative Unit in an exclusive interview that will have ramifications for the Baton Rouge Police Department and prosecutors trying to determine how many additional drug charges need to be dismissed. Wellness Day for Women: Pennington Biomedical Research Wellness Day for Women: Pennington Biomedical Research Center offering health screenings and more this weekend. Golphin is charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and unlawful use of a communications facility; Sanders faces charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Prosecutors are trying to determine how far back they have to go to take a look at charges that need to be dismissed. This operation is being handled by the U.S. Attorneys Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Baton Rouge Police Department, the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office, and the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office. He walked around the end of the truck. I think one of the main reasons was because when we were working those patrols, there was an overtime assignment." the defendant then started striking the detective and grabbed his gun handle pulling his duty weapon. LAPLACE Clyde Richards Jr., described by St. John Parish narcoticsagents as the kingpin in organized cocaine distribution locally, was apprehended in Baton Rouge thanks to a newspaper article. The drug trafficking operation formed in or before 2016 and continued until it was disrupted by law enforcement intervention in 2018. "Ardoin said he arrived at work one morning and was contacted by detectives informing him that the items he purchased were stolen. He don't smoke baby. Official websites use .gov With this going on, interest in stories about the cartels shows no sign of waning. February 2023 was the 10 th warmest on record in the Baton Rouge area, going back to 1892. In fact, nine people in total were arrested that night from the home, seven for resisting an officer or obstruction of justice. Some link changes in weather with body aches Gavin Dugas' 9th inning homer lifts No. He used "crack"addicts to test the quality of the "crack"he cooked before selling it to others. Drug traffickers tied to the Medellin Cartel in Colombia arranged for the machine-gun slaying of Seal, 46, who was born in. AUSTIN, Texas A scoreless tie was broken in the 9th inning with a three-run homer by second baseman Gavin Dugas, lifting top-ranked LSU to a John Jancek promoted to LSU special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach. Ultimately, Acree was arrested for malfeasance in office, drug charges and obstruction of justice. The actor wanted to study El Chapos mannerisms. When the three become entangled with hard-core cartel members, the result is disastrous. But police said otherwise. I continue to be grateful to the vast majority of our police officers who are committed to these principles. Police are still working to track down Harris, whose living address is listed as an upscale home in Spring, Texas. If the investigation determines the allegations are true, then those responsible for wrongdoing must be held accountable. The numerous arrests and seizures in this investigation are the result of our close cooperation and part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that drug traffickers are held responsible for the harm they cause. No drugs are sold here.". Adler "Barry" Seal's third wife and the three children she had with him did not violate the slain drug smuggler-turned-government informant's privacy rights when they sold the story of his life to a major motion picture studio in 2014, a state appellate court has decided. That's when he said he was approached by a woman who sold him two cameras and a television. As observed by the Louisiana Supreme Court, Circuit Judge John Michael Guidry wrote for the appeals court, the right to privacy as recognized under Louisiana law `protects the individual.. They allege a serious violation of public trust by some who are sworn to serve and protect our community. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. In the novel, McCarthy, a National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winner, sets up the initial death scene confronting the hunter: In the first vehicle there was a man slumped dead over the wheel. Click HERE to see an archive of WBRZ Investigative Unit and Chris Nakamoto reports on the Baton Rouge Police drug squad: WBRZ broke the news first in December. According to the superseding indictment, two of the defendants allegedly discussed how the potency of the heroin was such that it had to be diluted or else the user would be killed. A locked padlock BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney Walt Green announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment against 10 defendants in Operation Armageddon, an extensive investigation aimed at a drug trafficking network based in Baton Rouge, with alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. Terrell's grandmother said, "That boy don't even smoke so how could he have drugs on him? After being charged, he started cooperating with department investigators probing allegations of wrong doing. Thereafter, Banks and his co-conspirators distributed the counterfeit pills to others for further distribution in Baton Rouge, Mississippi, the New Orleans metropolitan area, and elsewhere. "At least three to four nights a week they would have us riding through the neighborhoods," Ardoin said. Feedback or questions? BATON ROUGE Law enforcement are committed to separate killing of a possible murder witness. The others involved were promised "advancement in the drug organization," according to investigators. WATCH. PONCHATOULA- It's one of the most egregious cases victims' advocates tell the WBRZ Investigative Unit they have ever seen, after a judge awarded full custody to How do I know if I have a cold, the flu or COVID-19? While some of these movies and books are pure fiction, the violence associated with the drug war is a documented reality. They will instead find a united law enforcement community fully prepared to aggressively investigate and prosecute their wrongdoing. "They realized I had spoken to administration and it could possibly cause them from being moved out of the division," Ardoin said. As we strive to strengthen trust in our community, the Baton Rouge Police Department is committed to transparency, accountability, and integrity. During that raid, an AK-47 assault rifle and 1,000 rounds ofammunition were recovered, along with large quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana. That same morning, officers executed a search warrant at MACHADO-GALEANAs residence in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where they seized a number of firearms, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Yet, we now see those principles at work in this case and will communicate the findings of this investigation once it is complete. The movie, based on a novel also titled Savages, by crime writer Don Winslow, underscores the contention that heavy drug use in the United States is the catalyst for this drug war violence. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. I have instituted policies to improve accountability and transparency in order to close the gap between our community and law enforcement. "At least three to four nights a week they would have us riding through the neighborhoods," Ardoin said. NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by the Grand Jury. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea. A Hollywood version depicting Escobars smuggling operation popped up again in the 2017 movie American Made, with Tom Cruise portraying drug-running former commercial pilot Barry Seal of Louisiana, who used a remote airstrip in Mena, Arkansas, to import narcotics into the United States. BATON ROUGE - One person was hurt in a shooting Wednesday evening along Burbank Drive. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. "Ardoin said the direction came from supervisors in the narcotics administration. Meanwhile, Netflix, experiencing success with shows such as the crime series Narcos, recently announced it is opening an office in Mexico City. To be clear, the dangerous drug dealer will find no safe haven within the federal criminal justice system, Green warned. According. "I realized the informant, the person that I purchased items from, was a confidential informant for detective Jason Acree. There was a problem saving your notification. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. I know that's my grandson.". Golphin is in custody, but Sanders is a fugitive. The Mob in Pop Culture blog appears monthly. Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney Generals drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises. Marshals Service. Wellness Day for Women: Pennington Biomedical Research Wellness Day for Women: Pennington Biomedical Research Center offering health screenings and more this weekend. "The supervisors in the office were the ones that allowed him to do those things, and I believe they were aware of the things going on," Ardoin said. BATON ROUGE- Planting drugs, coverups, quotas, a term called "snapping" - it is how the Baton Rouge drug squad handled itself, a former officer told WBRZ in a tell-all interview. Published: February 25th, 2019 - By Larry Henry, Contributing Writer, Chinese manufacturers, Mexican cartels are primary sources of deadly opioids. Officers gave chase into the attic and the defendant was observed attempting to hide a firearm and a clear plastic baggie of marijuana under the insulation. "Attorney Dedrick Moore who is also working the case echoed those sentiments and believes a number of reforms need to be made. They gave 9News pictures saying officers ransacked their home, damaging a laundry door, their front door and a rap studio. According to the affidavit, Harris hired three men to carry out a plan to lure Dixon out and kill him. "It was two Ring floodlight cameras and a TV," Ardoin said. To date, Mexico is the most dangerous country in the Western Hemisphere for journalists, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. "I addressed what they call, 'snapping,'" Ardoin said. On June 18, 2015, Judge Dick sentenced Charles Boyer who, along with Perry and Chapman, had also been convicted at trial of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, to a 10 year term of imprisonment. Councilwoman Denise Marcelle knows the family and grew up around the area. "We normally ride two people to a vehicle and each person had to have one arrest before the end of the shift," Ardoin said. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. After that arrest, El Chapo escaped from a Mexican prison but later was taken into custody again and extradited to the United States to stand trial. Agents say 33-year-old Dwayne Terrell of Baton Rouge, who didn't even finish . Civil Fax: 225-389-0685. She is among many journalists who have put their lives on the line to report on the cartels. Remember the Baton Rouge cocaine kingpin Obama pardoned a earlier this year? Co-defendant Roy Martin Herrara-Romero, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, was sentenced to 60 months on March 14, 2019. Official websites use .gov This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert W. Piedrahita and Kevin Sanchez. On Thursday, Mayor Sharon Weston Broome's office released a statement in response to Nakamoto's interview with Ardoin. These pills were then imprinted with various marks, including several for controlled substance pharmaceuticals. Jailed after a manhunt, the drug kingpin known globally as El Chapo expressed genuine surprise several years ago when interrogators from the Mexican attorney generals office blamed 13,000 homicides on him. He served as press secretary for Nevada Governor Bob Miller, and was political editor at the Las Vegas Sun and managing editor at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Northwest Arkansas. As the Court found, Perry often used violence. I am extremely proud and grateful of the prosecutors and agents whose dedication and hard work have made our community safer. BATON ROUGE, LAUnited States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that a federal jury in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on May 20, 2009, convicted TOMMY WALTERS, age 32, of Baton Rouge,. United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Oscar Arturo Machado-Galeana, age 36, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 300 months in federal prison following his convictions after a nine-day jury trial in October 2018 for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana; conspiracy to launder monetary instruments; distribution of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Piedrahita, who serves as Litigation Counsel within the United States Attorney's Office, and Assistant United States Attorney Chris Dippel, who serves as a Deputy Criminal Chief. As an example of his danger to the community, the Court noted that reliable evidence suggested that Perry had hired an individual and two young men to set an elderly man's house on fire. The OCDETF Program operates nationwide and combines the resources and unique expertise of numerous federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Henry taught journalism at Haas Hall Academy in Bentonville, Arkansas, and now is the headmaster at the schools campus in Rogers, Arkansas. . I appreciate the tremendous dedication and hard work by the agents and prosecutors who worked tirelessly on this important matter., DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael R. Sader said, Illegal dangerous drugs, including methamphetamine, destroy lives and have far-reaching negative effects in communities where they take hold. Alejandro Edda, the actor who portrays El Chapo in the Netflix program Narcos: Mexico, recently showed up at the drug kingpins trial in New York, waiting in the cold with others to get inside. CONCERNS RAISED Jeremiah Ardoin first began sounding the alarm about concerns in the narcotics division in the fall of 2020. BATON ROUGE - One person was hurt in a shooting Wednesday evening along Burbank Drive. Escobar, who ruled the powerful Medellin Cartel, preceded El Chapo in grabbing global headlines until authorities gunned him down in 1993 at age 44, a scenario laid out in the 2001 nonfiction book Killing Pablo by former Philadelphia Inquirer investigative reporter Mark Bowden. During one of his periods on the run, Guzman secretly met in Mexico with American actor Sean Penn and Mexican star Kate del Castillo, hoping to generate enthusiasm for a big-screen version of his life. Another Hollywood account of the carnage associated with narcotics trafficking is 2007s No Country for Old Men, an Academy Award-winning film based on Cormac McCarthys 2005 novel of the same name. I look forward to providing our community with a full report once these investigations are concluded.". Drug traffickers tied to the Medellin Cartel in Colombia arranged for the machine-gun slaying of Seal, 46, who was born in Baton Rouge. The drone of flies. BATON ROUGE, LAUnited States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that a federal jury in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on May 20, 2009, convicted TOMMY WALTERS, age 32, of Baton Rouge,. What he said in a TV interview has only been heard directly from a small group: The FBI, the Baton Rouge Police Chief and Nakamoto. Baton Rouge, LA 70801, Telephone: 225-389-0443 The 1st Circuit found "that the challenged actions of Universal and the Seal defendants were in the exercise of free speech.". Frigons attorney, Roy Maughan Jr., said Friday hell ask the appellate court to rehear the case, then seek review at the Louisiana Supreme Court. In some instances, Nava and MACHADO-GALEANA carried firearms with them when delivering methamphetamine to dealers and picking up the payments for those controlled substances. Ardoin said he expects the number of charges that are ultimately dismissed to reach the thousands. (WAFB) - The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office reported a narcotics investigation involving multiple agencies resulted in five arrests and the seizure of more than. Alder Berriman, or Barry Seal, was one of America's most notorious drug smugglers. ", "What I can do, however, is assure the community that we have and will continue to take the appropriate actions, as these investigations progress. Nine alleged members of a cocaine trafficking organization, including seven from Baton Rouge, have been charged by a federal grand jury, U.S. Attorney Walt Green said Friday. This OCDETF operation is being handled by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Louisiana; the Baton Rouge District Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Baton Rouge Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives. Nine in BR area charged in federal I Spy drug probe. WBRZ has made an editorial decision to not identify them because they have not been accused of any wrongdoing as of April 28, 2021. In 'American Made,' Tom Cruise stars as Baton Rougean Barry Seal, who was a drug and gun runner turned government informant. Lock "Attorneys representing Ardoin said the far-reaching implications of what Ardoin is saying have been reported to the FBI. This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Baton Rouge City Police, with valuable assistance from the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab, and the Jefferson County (Texas) Sheriff's Office. Nearly a dozen follow-up reports are part of the exclusive reporting from Channel 2. Lock Among the alleged hitmen was Dexter Collins, who was arrested last week for that hit plus a separate killing of a possible murder witness in Sept. 2017. Tom Cruise portrays Baton Rougedrug smuggler-turned-government informant Adler Barry Seal in the movie "American Made.".
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