David C. Battenberg, 27, of Metairie, and Diego A. Perez, 18, of New Orleans, are charged in a federal criminal complaint with being involved in a conspiracy to distribute and posses heroin, cocaine and other controlled substances.
The charges stem from a fast-tracked federal investigation initiated by the overdose death of 16-year-old Madeleine Prevost, a junior at Lusher High School who died in January from a toxic mixture of heroin and cocaine.
"The arrest of these two individuals on heroin distribution charges which we announce today signals something more important than the apprehension of drug dealers," Letten said. "Rather, it signals the end of a drug distribution business which caused the loss of a child."
James Bernazzani, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's New Orleans office, said the investigation was fueled by the mantra "no more children will die."
Letten, joined by Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand and other federal officials, said investigators gained key evidence - such as cell phone text messages and more - while executing a search warrant on the men's homes last week.
Bernazzani said agents will soon pay visits to parents of children who agents identified as drug buyers in the course of their investigation, letting them know their children use drugs.
"This is not a time for punishment, this is a time for hugs. . . Get them the treatment they need, he said.
Prevost's death stunned her parents, school and the community. Her mother Mary Prevost, a Lusher social worker, and her father Michael Prevost said they had no indication that their daughter was using hard drugs.
The Prevosts, who are divorced, say their daughter was deeply affected by the loss of both parents' homes during Hurricane Katrina. Besides losing her dog Chelsea during the storm, Madeleine was displaced to the Hampton Roads Academy in Virginia. When she returned home she enrolled at Lusher.
Maddy had gone out the Saturday night before her death and was home by her curfew of 11 p.m., her father said. When she sounded funny, he asked her if she'd been drinking. She assured him that she had not, and went to bed.Sometime on Sunday, she died from a mixture of heroin and cocaine that authorities believe she took Saturday evening.
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