Five former Alabama state trooper and four other men jailed for cocaine distribution
In a significant development, a large-scale drug trafficking operation has been dismantled in Alabama, following a comprehensive investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in cooperation with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
The operation, which involved the movement of a significant amount of cocaine into Alabama communities, came to light when agents seized six kilograms of cocaine during a delivery to Jim Carter, Jr., a resident of Montgomery, Alabama, on June 10, 2024. Carter, aged 58, was later convicted on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and sentenced to 327 months in federal prison on August 22, 2025.
Several other individuals were also implicated in the operation. Othello Howard, aged 29, from Montgomery, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 46 months in prison on June 16, 2025. Jimario Thompson, aged 37, from Montgomery, pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to 66 months in prison on August 18, 2025.
The investigation, which was conducted under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), also resulted in the conviction of Francisco Lopez, aged 39, from Texas, who was sentenced to 136 months in prison on August 18, 2025, for charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Raul Ramos Deleon, another Mexican national, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry after deportation and was sentenced to 27 months in prison on the same day.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Andreu and Michelle R. Turner. Other individuals convicted in the operation include Bryce Johnson, aged 38, from Union Springs, who was sentenced to 210 months in prison on August 18, 2025, for conspiracy. Saundra Curry, aged 63, from Deatsville, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 57 months in prison on the same day.
A surprising development in the case was the conviction of Michael Evans, a former Alabama State Trooper, who was sentenced to 72 months in prison on August 18, 2025, for conspiracy.
The OCDETF approach, which is prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, and multi-agency, allowed for the involvement of the Elmore County Sheriff's Office, Millbrook Police Department, Montgomery Police Department, and Prattville Police Department in the investigation.
Speaking about the operation, Hofer, Special Agent in Charge, stated that they have dismantled a criminal pipeline that exploited borders and poisoned communities. Kevin Davidson, Acting U.S. Attorney, added that the sentences reflect the seriousness of their crimes and the commitment to dismantling drug trafficking organizations.
For more information about this case, please contact Jacob Holmes, a reporter who can be reached at jholmes@our website.
