U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today the sentencing of nine members and associates of the Hankton Organization.
According to the court documents, members of this organization and their associates ran a violent drug ring in and around the City of New Orleans dating back to 1996. During the course of this organization’s life, its members and associates killed rival drug dealers, intimidated witnesses who dared to cooperate with law enforcement, attempted to obstruct the state criminal justice system by having associates provide false alibi testimony in state court, and killed witnesses, along with a witness’ family member, in an effort to obstruct justice. U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman sentenced the defendants as follows:
SHIRLEY HANKTON, age 61 – Pled guilty on May 16, 2016, to a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) violation; sentenced to serve 60 months’ incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release.
THOMAS HANKTON, age 40 – Pled guilty on May 16, 2016, to a RICO violation (Count 1), conspiracy to distribute controlled substances (Count 2), and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering (Count 15); sentenced to serve 300 months’ incarceration, followed by 10 years of supervised release as to Counts 1 and 2, with credit for time served. As to Count 15, THOMAS HANKTON was sentenced to serve 240 months’ incarceration, followed by 5 years of supervised release, all sentences to be served concurrently.
TROY HANKTON, age 32 – Pled guilty on April 27, 2016, to conspiracy to possess firearms; sentenced to serve 168 months’ incarceration, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
NAKIA HANKTON, age 38 – Pled guilty on April 27, 2016, to a RICO violation and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; sentenced to serve 132 months’ incarceration, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
GEORGE JACKSON, age 42 – Pled guilty on June 1, 2016, to a RICO violation and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; sentenced to serve 168 months’ incarceration (with credit for time served), followed by 5 years of supervised release.
DERRICK SMOTHERS, age 38 – Pled guilty on May 4, 2016, to a RICO violation and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; sentenced to serve 235 months’ incarceration (with credit for time served), followed by 5 years of supervised release.
TERRELL SMOTHERS, age 40 – Pled guilty on May 4, 2016, to a RICO violation and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; sentenced to serve 144 months’ incarceration (with credit for time served), followed by 5 years of supervised release.
NETTHANY SCHEXNAYDER, age 37 – Pled guilty on May 16, 2016, to misprision of a felony; sentenced to serve 3 years’ probation.
SANA JOHNSON, age 41 – Pled guilty on June 6, 2016, to misprision of a felony; sentenced to 1-year probation.
All of the above-listed defendants pled guilty to charges in the Third Superseding Indictment. Co-defendants TELLY HANKTON, WALTER PORTER, ANDRE HANKTON, and KEVIN JACKSON, were found guilty after a three-week jury trial in June 2016. TELLY HANKTON, WALTER PORTER, ANDRE HANKTON, and KEVIN JACKSON, are scheduled to be sentenced on November 9, 2016 at 1:30 p.m.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera, William J. Quinlan, Jr., David Haller, and Brittany Reed were in charge of the prosecution.