U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite announced today that a federal jury has convicted DELOYD JONES, age 23, BYRON JONES, age 24, and SIDNEY PATTERSON, age 24, all of New Orleans, following an 8-day trial.

DELOYD JONES was convicted of 11 of 13 counts. Specifically, Conspiracy to Violate RICO; Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Conspiracy to Possess Firearms; Murder in the Aid of Racketeering (2 counts—murders of Devin Hutton and Corey Blue); Causing Death through the Use of a Firearm (2 counts); Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (2 counts); Use, Carrying, and Discharge of a Firearm during and in Relation to a Crime of Violence and a Drug Trafficking Crime (2 counts). DELOYD JONES faces life plus 35 years in prison.

BYRON JONES was convicted of 9 of 9 counts. Specifically, Conspiracy to Violate RICO; Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Conspiracy to Possess Firearms; Murder in the Aid of Racketeering (murder of Travis Arnold); Causing Death through the Use of a Firearm; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (2 counts); Use, Carrying, and Discharge of a Firearm during and in Relation to a Crime of Violence and a Drug Trafficking Crime (2 counts). BYRON JONES faces life plus 35 years in prison.

SIDNEY PATTERSON was convicted of 7 of 11 counts, Specifically, Conspiracy to Violate RICO; Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Conspiracy to Possess Firearms; Murder in the Aid of Racketeering (murder of Corey Blue); Causing Death through the Use of a Firearm; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering; Causing Death Through the Use of a Firearm. PATTERSONfaces life plus ten years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for December 10, 2015 at 2:00 p.m..

“These defendants were responsible for terrorizing the St. Roch community through drug trafficking, threats, and gun violence,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite. “As a result of the MAG Unit’s collaborative efforts, these violent defendants will now spend the rest of their lives in prison. Today’s guilty verdicts are a message to all other violent criminals in our area—like these defendants, you will soon be held accountable for your criminal actions.”

ATF Special Agent In Charge Constance Hester stated, “It is evident, based on the outcome of this trial, that ATF as well as all of our law enforcement partners will vigorously investigate and seek the prosecution of violent criminals in possession of firearms that continually plague the innocent citizens of the New Orleans Metropolitan area.”

“We made a commitment to work together to go after the most violent criminals in our city and we continue to deliver on that promise,” said NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison. “Today’s verdict is the result of a strategic and organized partnership among local, state and federal law enforcement to combat violent crime. I am proud of the hard work of the NOPD-led Multi-Agency Gang Unit that led to this conviction. We will not back down. We will continue to relentlessly pursue those who choose to commit acts of violence and bring them to justice.”

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as part of the metro area’s Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MAG) in investigating this matter. As an integral component of NOLA FOR LIFE’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy, the MAG Unit consists of a partnership with New Orleans Police Department (NOPD); Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (DA); Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO); Louisiana State Police (LSP); Parole Board of the Louisiana Department of Corrections; United States Attorney’s Office (USAO); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); United States Marshal’s Service (USMS); and the United States Probation & Parole Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Assistant United States Attorneys Nolan Paige, Marquest Meeks and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Ebarb were in charge of the prosecution.