Ten Arrested in Bogalusa, Louisiana Drug Network Investigation Stemming from Three Overdose Deaths

 

Ten individuals were arrested and booked into the Washington Parish Jail on following simultaneous arrest and search warrants executed at multiple locations in Bogalusa, Louisiana.

The operation stems from an investigation into three overdose deaths in Washington Parish, which investigators treated as homicides rather than closing the files. Deputies developed intelligence identifying a drug distribution network operating in and around Bogalusa.

Of the ten individuals taken into custody:

• Six individuals are tied directly or indirectly to the overdose death investigation. Two are directly related and charged with second-degree murder, while four are indirectly related.
• Four individuals were arrested for separate drug possession charges after being encountered on site during the execution of the search warrants. These four arrests are unrelated to the core overdose investigation.

"Over this summer, three families in this parish have buried someone," Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith said. "Today, two people are charged with murder. A fatal overdose is no longer a closed file in this parish. It is a homicide investigation, and it will be worked like one."

During the search warrant executions, authorities seized dozens of electronic devices, firearms, financial records, and more than one kilogram of suspected fentanyl.

Those charged in connection with the investigation include:

• Savannah Stephens, 33, Second-Degree Murder, Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy
• John Stewart, 38, Second-Degree Murder (as a principal), Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy
• Whitney Sykes, 39, Money Laundering, Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy
• Randy King Jr. (aka "Weezy"), 33, Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy, Money Laundering
• Joshua King (aka "MoneyMakinJosh" or "MMJ"),33, Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Conspiracy, Money Laundering
• Brandon Lotts, 40, Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I, II, and IV Controlled Dangerous Substances, Conspiracy, Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses

Those unrelated to the overdose investigation, but also arrested on-site include:

• Albert Stewart (aka "JoJo"), 33, Possession of Heroin
• Rodney Stewart, 39, Possession of Heroin
• Jeffrey Maddox, 30, Fugitive (another jurisdiction) 
• Brian McCrory, 44, Possession of Schedule II Drugs

Sheriff Smith emphasized that the investigation remains open and active.

"These charges reflect what we can prove, but the investigation is ongoing," Smith said. "We will continue to look for anyone who did business with these individuals. People who come to us first will have options that the people we come to later will not."

The operation involved broad multi-agency coordination. Participating agencies include the Fentanyl Overdose Response Team of the Drug Enforcement Administration New Orleans Field Division; District Attorney Collin Sims of the 22nd Judicial District; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Slidell Police Department; the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; the Bogalusa Police Department; Customs and Border Protection (New Orleans Air and Marine Branch); Louisiana Probation and Parole; the Louisiana Army Reserve and National Guard; the Harrison County Sheriff's Office; the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office; the U.S. Secret Service; and the Louisiana State Police.

"Bogalusa is worth the effort," Smith added. "The people who live there are entitled to the same expectation of safety as anyone else in this parish, and I intend to keep working until they have it."

All charges are accusations. Every person named is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.