United States Attorney Jim Letten

Eastern District of Louisiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     CONTACT: KATHY ENGLISH   

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29,2008                                    PHONE: (504) 680-3068          

WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/LAE   <http://WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/LAE>                                 FAX: (504) 589-4978
                 

FBI ARRESTS MAN ON HEROIN DISTRIBUTION CHARGES - ALLEGED SUPPLIER OF HEROIN LINKED TO DRUG DEATH OF 16 YEAR OLD LUSHER STUDENT

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA -CLINTON RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “South,” age 30, a resident of New Orleans, LA, was arrested by the Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, on charges of possession with intent to distribute heroin, which is allegedly linked to the overdose death of 16 year old Lusher student Maddy Prevost, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten and James Bernazzani, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

        RODRIGUEZ made his initial court appearance before United States District Judge Lance M. Africk on Thursday, February 28, 2008, and was detained pursuant to the Government’s request.  According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, defendants cooperating with the Government in the Madeline Prevost case provided cooperation and information which indicated that the heroin ultimately obtained by Prevost (who died from an overdose) was allegedly purchased from RODRIGUEZ.

        RODRIGUEZ was under surveillance from February 21-26, 2008, according to the criminal complaint. During that time, agents observed numerous hand-to-hand drug transactions between RODRIGUEZ and other individuals.
       
        The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and this matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Emily Greenfield.