United States Drug Enforcement Administration

COVINGTON, La.  – Louisiana 22nd Judicial District Attorney Collin J. Sims and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott announced a St. Tammany Parish Grand Jury returned true bills on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, indicting two individuals on serious felony charges, including second degree murder, and fentanyl distribution. 

The Grand Jury returned indictments against the following defendants:

Aaron Sylvester, 46, of New Orleans, was indicted for second degree murder. The charge stems from the July 9-10, 2026 murder of a man in St. Tammany Parish, wherein the defendant is alleged to have sold the victim a fatal dose of fentanyl.

Tracy Marie McMurtry, 46, of New Orleans, was indicted for possession with intent to distribute less than 28 Grams of fentanyl. The charge alleges that on, or between, July 9 and July 10, 2026, McMurtry knowingly possessed fentanyl with the intent to distribute or dispense the Schedule II controlled substance. McMurtry was arrested by law enforcement on August 26, 2026. 

Assistant District Attorney Iain Dover is handling the Sylvester and McMurty case. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT). 

"Fentanyl is a poison in our community, and when it claims a life, we treat it with the immediate urgency of a homicide investigation,” said District Attorney Collin Sims. “Thanks to the swift, thorough work of the DEA FORT team and our prosecutors, we were able to bring these serious charges to a Grand Jury in less than eight weeks. We will continue to act aggressively to remove these dealers from our streets.”

Following the indictments, both defendants will be scheduled for formal arraignments in the 22nd Judicial District Court, where they will enter their pleas.

An indictment is an accusation that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty in a court of law.