Brothers Found Guilty By Federal Jury For Drug Possession And Distribution

NEW ORLEANS - Tonta J. Octave, 34, and his brother Kavis Octave31,both residents of Vacherie, Louisiana, were found guilty in four counts of a five count third second superseding indictment for conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine (“crack”) by a federal jury after a two-day trial.

Among other things, the jury heard testimony that on three separate occasions in March and May of this year, Kavis and Tonta Octave, alone and/or working together, sold between one and two ounces of cocaine (“crack”) to a Drug Enforcement (DEA) cooperating informant. These drugs sales were captured on audio-video recordings. In addition, at the time of Tonta Octave’s arrest for these crimes, he was found attempting to flee his residence in a vehicle and had with him $25,747 in cash that had been keep in a freezer and was still ice cold. That money was forfeited as drug proceeds at the conclusion of the trial.

Tonta Octave faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $8 million and a term of 8 years of supervised release. Kavis Octave faces a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5 million and a term of 4 years of supervised release.

Sentencing is set for February 21, 2013 before the Honorable Lance M. Africk.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Toomey and Andre Lagarde. Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.