Press Releases
MAN LINKED TO OVERDOSE DEATH OF 16 YEAR OLD STUDENT INDICTED ON ADDITIONAL FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES
April 10, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CLINTON RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “South,” age 30, a resident of New Orleans, LA, who was awaiting trial on a single count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, was charged by a Federal Grand Jury with additional federal drug trafficking offenses, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and heroin, in a multi-defendant, seven count superseding indictment, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
In addition to the charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin which the Grand Jury had previously returned against RODRIGUEZ on March 6, 2008, the superseding indictment returned Thursday added RODRIGUEZ’s name as a member of a drug conspiracy that began as early as October of 2004. The conspiracy was alleged to involve 5 or more kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride and 1 or more kilograms of heroin Also indicted on the conspiracy charge were KEVIN COCKERHAM, a/k/a “Frog,” COREY MUSE, a/k/a “Lambert,” RANDY DEAN, a/k/a “Po,” and XAVIER O’CONNOR a/k/a “Money.” The superseding indictment charges that on August 2, 2007, RODRIGUEZ and co-defendant KEVIN COCKERHAM used a telephone to facilitate the conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. RODRIGUEZ is also charged with being a person over the age of 18 who distributed a quantity of heroin to a person under 21 years of age.
If convicted of Count One, the conspiracy, all defendants face a mandatory minimum of ten (10) years to life imprisonment, a $4 million fine, and at least five (5) years supervised release.
If convicted of Count 2, distribution of heroin, XAVIER O’CONNOR faces a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum of forty (40) years imprisonment, a $2 million fine, and at least four (4) years supervised release. If convicted of Count 3, possessing a firearm, XAVIER O’CONNOR faces a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum of live imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least five (5) years supervised release.
If convicted of Count 4, possession of heroin, RANDY DEAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, and at least three (3) years supervised release.
If convicted of Count 5, using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense, RODRIGUEZ and COCKERHAM face a maximum term of imprisonment of four (4) years, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three (3) years supervised release. If convicted of Count 6, possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, RODRIGUEZ faces not more than twenty (20) years in prison, $1 million fine, and at least three (3) years supervised release. If convicted of Count 7, distributing heroin to a person under 21 years of age, RODRIGUEZ, faces a maximum term of imprisonment of forty (40) years, and a maximum term of supervised release of six (6) years.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation. This prosecution is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Emily Greenfield.
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