An Alabama state trooper is among six people indicted in a cocaine distribution investigation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
These defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Montgomery:
-
- Jim Carter Jr., 57, of Montgomery
- Francisco Lopez, 38, of Texas
- Maria Beatriz Palomo-De Lopez, ,40, a Mexican national
- Saundra S. Curry, 63, of Deatsville
- Bryce Johnson, 37, of Union Springs
- Michael Anthony Evans, 52, an Alabama state trooper from Montgomery
Six individuals have been charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine, with Jim Carter, Lopez, and Palomo-De Lopez facing additional charges of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute.
According to the indictment, Palomo-De Lopez was accused of unlawfully returning to the United States after being deported back in 2013.
According to U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Ross, the conspiracy had an undisclosed start date and persisted until at least June 10, 2024. As per the indictment, Carter and Lopez are both accountable for a minimum of 5 kilograms of cocaine that was part of the conspiracy.
It was not specified what role Evans was allegedly involved in.
According to the Justice Department, Carter and Lopez could potentially face a lengthy prison sentence ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, owing to the significant quantity of cocaine involved in their case. As for the remaining defendants, they could be sentenced for up to 20 years.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Senior Trooper Evans was immediately placed on mandatory leave after his arrest.
