Alabama State Trooper among six indicted on federal drug charges

Six people, including an Alabama State Trooper, have been indicted on federal cocaine distribution charges.

United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross announced that a federal grand jury in Montgomery indicted these people for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine:

• Jim Carter Jr., 57, from Montgomery.
• Francisco Lopez, 38, from Texas.
• Maria Beatriz Palomo-De Lopez, 40, a Mexican national.
• Saundra S. Curry, 63, from Deatsville.
• Bryce Johnson, 37, from Union Springs.
• Michael Anthony Evans, 52 an Alabama State Trooper from Montgomery.

An email sent to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency seeking information confirming Evans is a State Trooper as well as his employment status, rank and number of years he has served as a State Trooper was not immediately returned Tuesday morning.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, Ross said.

The indictment alleges that 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.

Also, 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.

The indictment and news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office did not mention Evans alleged role in the conspiracy.

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Due to the amount of cocaine alleged against Jim Carter Jr. and Francisco Lopez in the indictment, they each face a sentence of 10 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 sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case with cooperation from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Ross said.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama State Trooper among six indicted on federal drug charges