Federal Agents Arrest 14 in Roundup
Cocaine, Guns, Money, and Vehicles Seized
| U.S. Attorney’s Office January 12, 2012 |
SHREVEPORT, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a lengthy undercover investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals.
After an 18-month investigation conducted jointly by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, a total of 14 defendants were indicted federally on December 14, 2011, on charges of interstate drug conspiracy, cocaine distribution, and possession of drugs and firearms. The indictment was the culmination of an investigation dubbed “Operation Lakeside Boyz” conducted by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). Several kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $100,000, numerous firearms, 10 vehicles, and $117,000 in cash have been seized related to this case.
The following individuals, all of Shreveport, were arrested and will make their initial appearance in federal court today on charges of drug conspiracy, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, aiding and abetting, and firearms charges. All of the defendants are facing a mandatory 10 years to life in prison.
- DARIEN L. RELIFORD, a/k/a “Big Troy,” 41
- DARIEN L. JONES, a/k/a “Little Troy” or “Pooh,” 22
- TIMOTHY M. ELLIS, a/k/a “Dirty Rat,” 47
- ROBIN RAY JAMES, Jr., a/k/a “Pookie James,”45
- TAMIKA B. BARRETT, a/k/a “Tamika Reliford,” 38
- TERRY W. POUNCY, 41
- CECIL E. COLE, a/k/a “C-Lo,” 52
- RANDY L. RANDALL, 41
- LAGASHIA S. WOODARD, 21
- OCHELATA D. RELIFORD, 34
- DERRICK D. WAFFER, 27
- REGINALD D. LEE, a/k/a “Cornbread,” 42
- KURT D. ABRONE, a/k/a “Little Black,” 26
- SANTINO C. ELLIS, 35
OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
U.S. Attorney Finley stated: “Protecting communities from the scourge of illegal drugs and drug trafficking is a core obligation of this office and federal law enforcement. Illegal narcotics destroy the potential in many individuals to become contributing members of our society and the fabric of communities. We will continue, with our state and local partners, to vigorously enforce federal narcotics and firearms laws.”
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by agents and officers of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Louisiana State Police, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Bossier City Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles, Jr.