NEW ORLEANS—U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that DARRELL LEWIS, age 29, STERLING PIPKINS, age 30, KEVIN WALKER, age 22, CARL LEWIS, age 21, DARRYL LEWIS, age 60, DEMONIDE ROWLEY, age 37, NERIMANE BONCHAMA, age 21, TANESHEN GRANDBERRY, age 38, MICHAEL MCQUITTY, age 40, all of New Orleans, were charged in a thirteen-count indictment for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act.

Count 1 charges all defendants with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. As to that count, all of the defendants face a term of imprisonment of at least ten years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a minimum of five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

Count 2 charges defendants DARRELL LEWIS, PIPKINS, WALKER, CARL LEWIS, DARRYL LEWIS, BOUCHAMA, GRANDBERRY, and MCQUITTY with conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The offense carries a maximum penalty of twenty years, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release.

The indictment also charges DARRELL LEWIS, PIPKINS, and CARL LEWIS with distribution of heroin. The offense carries a maximum penalty of twenty years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and three years of supervised release.

DARRELL LEWIS, PIPKINS, WALKER, CARL LEWIS, DARRYL LEWIS, BOUCHAMA, and MCQUITTY are also charged with use of a communications facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The maximum penalties those defendants may receive as to each count is four years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and not more than one year of supervised release.

The indictment lastly charges DARRYL LEWIS with possession of firearms, including AR-15 rifles, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. For this offense, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years in prison to be served consecutively with any other sentence.

U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Violent Gang Task Force (NOGTF), which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security, the New Orleans Polite Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Payne and Elizabeth Privitera are in charge of the prosecution.