An Alabama state trooper is among the six individuals indicted in a cocaine distribution investigation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The individuals listed below were indicted by a federal grand jury in Montgomery:
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- 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
The charges against all six individuals include conspiracy to distribute cocaine. In addition, Jim Carter, Lopez, and Palomo-De Lopez are facing charges of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.
According to the indictment, Palomo-De Lopez committed the illegal act of re-entering the United States after being deported in 2013.
According to U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Ross, the conspiracy had no specific start date but went on until June 10, 2024. The indictment further states that Carter and Lopez were involved in a conspiracy that included a minimum of 5 kilograms of cocaine.
It was not specified what role Evans was allegedly involved in.
According to the Justice Department, Carter and Lopez could be sentenced to anywhere between 10 years to life imprisonment due to the significant amount of cocaine involved in the case. On the other hand, the remaining defendants may face up to 20 years of imprisonment.
Following his arrest, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency placed Senior Trooper Evans on mandatory leave, according to a statement.