Press Releases
FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTMENT FOR FEDERAL DRUG AND GUN CHARGES
March 13, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STEVEN DARRYL HARRIS, age (23), a resident of River Ridge, Louisiana was charged in a six (6) count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for the illegal distribution of crack cocaine and the unlawful possession of a firearm, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten today.
According to court documents, HARRIS was involved in the illegal transfer of cocaine base (crack) to an undercover agent on two (2) separate occasions in the parking lot of Southern University Campus in October of 2007 for which he received approximately $6,000. The indictment also alleges that HARRIS was in the possession of more than 500 grams of a distributable amount of powdered cocaine on February 29, 2008.
Because the indictment alleged that some of the distribution took place on a university campus, HARRIS is facing additional maximum penalties under federal law. If convicted, HARRIS, faces a term of imprisonment of not less than ten (10) and not more than life imprisonment for the drug charges. The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense carries a punishment of not less than five (5) years and not more than life imprisonment. In addition to imprisonment, HARRIS is also facing an $8,000,000 fine and at least ten (10) years of supervised release.
U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Abe McGull of the Violent Crime Unit.
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