A federal grand jury has indicted six individuals, including an Alabama State Trooper, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
The indictment alleges that the conspiracy involved distributing over 500 grams of cocaine from Mexico.
The individuals charged are:
- Jim Carter, Jr., 57, of Montgomery, Alabama
- Francisco Lopez, 38, of Texas
- Maria Beatriz Palomo-De Lopez, 40, a Mexican national
- Saundra S. Curry, 63, of Deatsville, Alabama
- Bryce Johnson, 37, of Union Springs, Alabama
- An unnamed 52-year-old individual
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According to the indictment, Carter, who was an Alabama State Trooper at the time, used his position to assist the drug trafficking organization by providing information and conducting traffic stops to protect cocaine shipments.
The FBI and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) conducted the investigation. The DEA also assisted in the investigation.
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of any assets derived from the drug trafficking operation.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and the importance of holding individuals accountable, regardless of their profession or position.
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