January 23, 2015

New Orleans Couple Indicted for Violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and Money Laundering

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that GROSS WILLIAMS, age 49, and his wife,KATHLEEN WILLIAMS, age 46, both of New Orleans, were charged yesterday in a five-count Indictment for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act, the Federal Gun Control Act, conspiracy to launder money and obstruction of justice.

According to the Indictment, GROSS WILLIAMS possessed with the intent to distribute and distributed one kilogram or more of heroin and five kilograms or more of cocaine. GROSS WILLIAMS is also alleged to have possessed a firearm in furtherance of those drug trafficking crimes and to have illegally possessed a weapon after a felony conviction. KATHLEEN WILLIAMS and GROSS WILLIAMSwere also charged with conspiring to launder the proceeds of GROSS WILLIAMS’s drug trafficking. KATHELEEN WILLIAMS was additionally charged with obstruction of justice for destroying a cellular telephone.

If convicted, GROSS WILLIAMS faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years to a maximum of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000 and five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

If convicted, KATHLEEN WILLIAMS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, a fine of up to $500,000, and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

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

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, the New Orleans Police Department, and Louisiana Probation and Parole in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney David Haller is in charge of the prosecution.