Miles Jay Oliver

The Shreveport Times

A Grambling man sentenced to hard labor Tuesday required special provisions during his sentencing because of his size.

The Grambling Police Department said Willie James Scott, also known as “Big Hip,” was too large to enter a Lincoln Parish courtroom for formal sentencing. Scott, 68, who has a long medical history, was sentenced to five years hard labor by a judge in the “vanport” of the Lincoln Parish Courthouse.

Scott was subsequently transported by ambulance to the Louisiana Department of Corrections Inmate Reception Center in Baton Rouge.

Police say the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team has spent 12 years investigating criminal activity linked to Scott, who has been bed-bound for years because of morbid obesity. Agents often arrested those frequenting Scott’s residence, claiming they were caregivers who were compensated with drugs.

Grambling Police records indicate more than 75 arrests of offenders for various charges. Police say Scott’s departure from the Grambling community ends more than three decades of illegal activity surrounding his residence.

“We will continue zero tolerance for drug sales in our community,” said Chief Tommy Clark, Jr., who noted that he believed neighborhood residents will rest better knowing justice has been served.

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