Defendants Sentenced in Seventh Ward Heroin and Firearm Conspiracy

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DARRELL LEWIS, a/k/a “Lil’ Darrell,” age 32; KEVIN WALKER, age 25; and CARL LEWIS, a/k/a “Curl,” age 26, all of New Orleans, were sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to federal narcotics charges.

DARRELL LEWIS, the leader of the conspiracy, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and conspiracy to possess and use firearms in furtherance of a drug conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced him to 20 years in prison and a supervised release term of 10 years.

CARL LEWIS and KEVIN WALKER pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and conspiracy to possess and use firearms in furtherance of a drug conspiracy. Judge Barbier sentenced CARL LEWIS to 10 years of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release. KEVIN WALKER received a sentence of 72 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release.

A fourth defendant, STERLING PIPKINS, a/k/a “Shoe,” age 32, is currently scheduled to be sentenced on June 1, 2017.

According to court documents, DARRELL LEWIS, KEVIN WALKER, CARL LEWIS, and STERLING PIPKINS were the central figures in a conspiracy to sell heroin in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward, specifically the intersection of Frenchmen and North Villere Streets. DARRELL LEWIS was the leader of the group. KEVIN WALKER, CARL LEWIS, and STERLING PIPKINS served as street-level dealers, selling heroin to both other heroin dealers and users. The conspiracy included eight others who have already pleaded guilty: DARRYL LEWIS (sentencing date 7/13/17), CONQUISTADORE MARTIN (sentenced 4/20/17 to 140 months imprisonment), NICHIREN RADCLIFFE (sentenced 4/20/17 to 70 months imprisonment), MICHAEL MCQUITTY (sentencing date 7/20/17), NERIMANE BOUCHAMA (sentencing date 8/10/17), DEMOINDE ROWLEY, TYRONE HUDSON, and IRVIN WATSON (sentencing date for these three defendants is June 1, 2017).

Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. Assistance was provided by the DEA New Orleans Field Division, the New Orleans Police Department, the Major Crimes Task Force, the FBI Kansas City Division (Jefferson City Resident Office), and the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Payne, Shirin Hakimzadeh, and Andre Lagarde are in charge of prosecution.