Three Men Sentenced After Pleading to Violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts, and Obstruction of Justice

Melvin Hudson, age 26; Moses Lawson, age 27; and Tedrick Reynard, age 24, all of Harvey, Louisiana, were sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk after pleading guilty to violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, the Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering Act, the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts, aiding and abetting, and obstruction of justice.

Melvin Hudson was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release. Hudson pled guilty to count one: conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d); count two: conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 280 grams of cocaine base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846; count five: Conspiracy to Possess Firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o); count six: obstruction of justice, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1519; count 15: distribution of a quantity of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); count 16: prohibited person in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2); count 17: possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); and count 18: possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). Melvin Hudson pled guilty pursuant to an 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement.

Moses Lawson was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release. Lawson was also ordered to pay restitution to the victim’s family in the amount of $8,000. Lawson pled guilty to count one: conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d); count two: conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 280 grams of cocaine base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846; count seven: prohibited person in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2); and count eight: person in possession of a stolen firearm, in violation to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(j) and 924(a)(2). Lawson admitted that both he and other Murder Squad members participated in the murder Reginald Francois on April 1, 2010. Lawson pled guilty pursuant to an 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement.

Tedrick Reynard was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release. Reynard pled guilty to count one: conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d); count two: conspiracy to fistribute and possess with intent to distribute over 280 grams of cocaine base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846; count five: Conspiracy to possess firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o); count 20: distribution of a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); and count 22: possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).

This case arose from a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. This investigation targeted an area that exhibited a disproportionate amount of violent crimes and narcotics trafficking. During the course of the investigation, specific individuals were identified as the main perpetrators of many of the violent acts and much of the narcotics distribution. Federal and local law enforcement officers interviewed witnesses, confidential informants, as well as state defendants, relative to the targeted individuals. It was revealed that a group of individuals operated in various areas of Harvey, Louisiana, specifically the neighborhoods known as Scottsdale and Haydel. This group controlled these areas for their narcotics distribution activities through violence and through threats of violence, to include murder, attempted murder, obstruction, and assaults. They were referred to as the Harvey Hustlers and/or Murder Squad.

The Murder Squad, or MS, was a faction of the Harvey Hustlers composed primarily of individuals residing in the Harvey, Louisiana area of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. While they primarily operated on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish, members conducted business in other parts of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The Harvey Hustlers also referred to as HH, originated in the Harvey area in the mid-1980s. Members of the organization “hustled,” meaning they distributed illegal narcotics.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Duane A. Evans and Bill McSherry.