Six charged in cocaine distribution conspiracy, including Alabama state trooper
Six people, including a state trooper, have been indicted in federal court in Montgomery for a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, according to a prosecutor.
U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross said the following people are under indictment:
- 57-year-old Jim Carter, Jr., from Montgomery
- 38-year-old Francisco Lopez, from Texas
- 40-year-old Maria Beatriz Palomo-De Lopez, a Mexican national
- 63-year-old Saundra S. Curry, from Deatsville
- 37-year-old Bryce Johnson, from Union Springs
- 52-year-old Michael Anthony Evans, an Alabama State Trooper from Montgomery
Ross says they are charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine. He says the conspiracy began at an unknown date and continued through at least June 10, 2024. The indictment further alleges that Jim Carter, Jr., and Francisco Lopez are each responsible for at least five kilograms of cocaine involved in the conspiracy.
In addition, the indictment charges Jim Carter, Jr., Francisco Lopez, and Maria Beatriz Palomo-De Lopez with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. Lastly, the indictment alleges that Maria Beatriz Palomo-De Lopez illegally re-entered the United States after being deported in 2013.
If convicted, due to the amount of cocaine alleged against Jim Carter, Jr. and Francisco Lopez in the indictment, they each face a sentence of ten years to life in prison. The other defendants are facing a sentence of up to 20 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
— Information from the Office of U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross, Middle District of Alabama
