Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DEATHONY BLOCKER, age 38, JAMES BLOCKER, age 37, JOVAN COLLINS, age 34 (“COLLINS”), LORENZO TAYLOR, age 39 (“TAYLOR”), NEMIRAH DAVIDSON, age 38 (“DAVIDSON”), and PATRICK GARLAND, age 39 (“GARLAND”), residents of California, were charged on January 30, 2025 in a two-count indictment for conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, and interstate transportation of stolen goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2314, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to the indictment, DEANTHONY BLOCKER, JAMES BLOCKER, COLLINS, TAYLOR, DAVIDSON, and GARLAND conspired to transport thousands of cartons of cigarettes interstate, that were stolen from warehousing facilities in Georgia, North Carolina, and Louisiana. The group cut through fences surrounding the facilities, using bolt cutters and crowbars to access the cigarette cartons.
If convicted of Count 1, the defendants face up to 5 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. As to Count 2, the defendants face up to 10 years of imprisonment, up to 3 years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s Office, the Knightdale Police Department, the Atlanta Police Department, the Rockmart Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Fort Stockton Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.