Conviction in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Charges of Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, and Unlawful Use of Communications Facilities

BATON ROUGE, LA—United 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, Louisiana, of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and fifty grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, also known as “crack cocaine,” Schedule II controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1); and three counts of the use of a communications facility (telephone) in committing and causing and facilitating the commission of a felony, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(a)(1).

WALTERS was prosecuted as a result of “Operation Snake Eyes,” an extensive investigation conducted by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task force (OCDETF) for the Middle District of Louisiana.  The OCDETF is a multi-agency task force formed to investigate and prosecute criminal groups and individuals who organize, direct, finance, or are otherwise engaged in high level drug trafficking and related financial crimes.  The OCDETF for the Middle District of Louisiana is comprised of agents from the Baton Rouge Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Marshal’s Office.  Other participating members in this OCDETF investigation included the Houston Field Division of the DEA, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, the Louisiana Alcohol, Tobacco Control Board, the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana National Guard, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office, the Baton Rouge Police Department, the Gonzales Police Department, and the Houston, Texas, Police Department.

Operation Snake Eyes has resulted in the conviction of nineteen defendants including WALTERS, and the organization’s ring leader, Dwayne “Tulu” Terrell. 

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson presided over the three-day jury trial.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Kleinpeter and Robert Piedrahita prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.  

Prior to trial, the United States filed an information and notice of sentencing enhancement seeking to increase the defendant’s sentence to a mandatory term of life imprisonment based on two prior felony drug convictions.  If granted, the defendant faces a mandatory life sentence.