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Press Release

Violent Harvey Hustlers Gang Members Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Sentences

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that three members of the Harvey Hustlers organization were sentenced today for their participation in four murders, multiple shootings, and extensive drug distribution on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish.  ISAAC SMITH, age 22, FRANKIE HOOKFIN, age 25, and TERRENCE KELLEY, age 29, all of Waggaman, received sentences of life, 35 years, and 40 years in prison, respectively.

SMITH pled guilty to being a drug distributor and gunman for the organization, and admitted to his role in four murders, including a vicious double murder of a couple whose children, were unharmed while in the backseat of their vehicle when the shooting occurred, and a 74 year old woman whose grandson was the target of the attack.  During the sentencing hearing today, family members of the victims had the opportunity to address SMITH about the pain that the loss of the victims had caused to them and their families.  After hearing the testimony, Judge Africk sentenced SMITH to serve the rest of his life in federal prison, emphasizing that in the federal system there is no parole.  SMITH was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims’ families.

HOOKFIN also admitted to his participation in two murders, including the killing of a 74 year-old woman, and two other non-fatal shootings, as well as extensive drug dealing.  Judge Africk sentenced HOOKFIN to serve 35 years in federal prison.  HOOKFIN also has pending charges in Jefferson Parish related to his participation in shooting that left five people injured.

KELLEY admitted to participating in the murder of a 58 year-old man, two other non-fatal shootings, as well as dealing over a kilogram of heroin on the streets of Jefferson Parish.  Judge Africk sentenced KELLEY to serve 40 years in federal prison. 

This case is a product of an ongoing investigation into the violent acts in furtherance of the drug trafficking by the Harvey Hustler gang and its various offshoots on the West Bank.  It represents the continued coordinated effort of the federal and state law enforcement authorities, including the United States Attorney’s Office, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans Gang Task Force, and officers of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Kennedy, David Haller, and Myles Ranier and Special Assistant United States Attorney Collin Sims, who is a former Assistant United States Attorney and the Criminal Chief at the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office, are in charge of the prosecution.

Updated April 21, 2016

Topics
Drug Trafficking
Violent Crime