United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BEAUMONT, Texas - A 30-year-old Beaumont, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Kristopher George Ardoin was found guilty by a jury on Jan. 25, 2017, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and firearms conspiracy.  Ardoin was sentenced to serve life in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.

According to information presented in court, for over a decade the Ardoin family and others openly distributed crack cocaine from their home at 1107 Avenue A in Beaumont. In the last 10 years, the Beaumont Police Department has received over 2,000 calls for service to the neighborhood block controlled by the Ardoin organization, including approximately 139 calls to the crack house itself. An estimated 280 grams of crack cocaine is believed to have been distributed from the location during this time.  A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment on May 4, 2016 charging 13 individuals with federal drug and firearms violations.  The other 12 defendants have already been sentenced for their crimes. 

"This is a great example of federal, state and local law enforcement coming together to make the community a safer place to live,” said Acting U.S Attorney Featherston.  “I appreciate the hard work of the investigators and prosecutors who worked day and night to put this case together.  As we see from this investigation and prosecution, together with community help, we can put a stop to these human crime waves that stalk our neighborhoods.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Beaumont Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lesley A. Woods and Robert L. Rawls.