MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Nine people were sentenced Thursday in connection to a large-scale drug trafficking operation that transported cocaine from Mexico into Alabama, according to Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer, New Orleans Division.
A federal jury previously found the defendants guilty on May 19 for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine. They include:
- Jim Carter, Jr., 58, of Montgomery, convicted on conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, sentenced to 27 years in federal prison
- Francisco Lopez, 39, of Texas, convicted on conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, sentenced to 11 years in federal prison
- Michael Evans, 53, of Montgomery, a former Alabama State Trooper, convicted of conspiracy, sentenced to six years in federal prison
- Bryce Johnson, 38, of Union Springs, convicted of conspiracy, sentenced to 17.5 years in prison
Court records and evidence presented at trial showed the DEA began investigating a suspected drug trafficking network involving Carter in 2023. Investigators determined that he traveled to Texas and Mexico to further the conspiracy, while couriers regularly transported cocaine into Alabama. Agents seized six kilograms of cocaine during a delivery to Carter by Lopez on June 10, 2024.
“This group moved a significant amount of cocaine into Alabama communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson…