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New Orleans Man Sentenced for Selling Deadly Dose of Heroin

U.S. Attorney’s Office January 06, 2011
  • Eastern District of Louisiana (504) 680-3000

NEW ORLEANS, LA—GARY TOCA, age 22, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U. S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to 10 years’ imprisonment for distributing a deadly dose of heroin that ultimately caused the death of 20-year-old Pierce Sharai, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition, the defendant was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time he will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.

According to court documents, TOCA previously pled guilty, admitting that on January 18, 2008, while staying at a hotel in New Orleans, he, Pierce Sharai, and a third individual pooled their money together to purchase heroin. TOCA contacted and arranged to purchase $100.00 worth of heroin from another individual. After obtaining the heroin, TOCA returned to the hotel room and provided the heroin to Sharai. Shorthly thereafter, Sharai laid on the bed and became unconscious. When TOCA and others in the room were unable to revive Sharai, EMS was contacted but attempts to resuscitate Sharai were unsuccessful.

This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurice Landrieu.
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