'Operation Goldy Locks' leads to 11 indictments in heroin trafficking scheme

BATON ROUGE - 11 men, including individuals from Baton Rouge and Denham Springs, have been indicted by a grand jury in connection with a drug-trafficking conspiracy involving the shipment of heroin and other controlled substances from California to the Baton Rouge area.

The indictment, resulting from an investigation dubbed Operation Goldy Locks, alleges a conspiracy to distribute significant amounts of heroin in Baton Rouge that had been pressed to resemble oxycodone pills in California and then shipped to the area via various means of transportation. Upon arrival in the Greater Baton Rouge area, the pills were then distributed to mid-level drug dealers and ultimately sold to drug abusers in East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes.

The 11 individuals indicted face significant prison time, fines and forfeiture of proceeds from the illegal drug offenses should they be convicted.

-Michael Almanza, 44, of Costa Mesa, California is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than 1 kilogram of heroin, distribution of heroin on three separate occasions, and forfeiture.

-Logan Brannon, 30, of Newport Beach, California, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1 kilogram of heroin, distribution of heroin on three separate occasions, conspiracy to launder drug proceeds, and forfeiture.

-Aaron Lambert, 32, of Baton Rouge, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1 kilogram of heroin, distribution of heroin on three separate occasions, laundering drug proceeds, and forfeiture.

-Efrain Barajas, 26, of Hesperia, California, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1 kilogram of heroin, distribution of heroin on three separate occasions, and forfeiture.

-Brian Keith Hano, Jr., 32, of Baton Rouge, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1 kilogram of heroin and forfeiture.

-Justin Scott, 32, of Baton Rouge, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, distribution of heroin on three separate occasions, possession with intent to distribute heroin, distribution of Tramadol, and forfeiture.

-Daryl Walker, 42, of Baton Rouge, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and forfeiture.

-Keenan Harris, Jr., 35, of Denham Springs, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, distribution of heroin on two separate occasions, and forfeiture.

-Christopher Dean, 35, of Denham Springs, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and forfeiture.

-Christian Becnel, 32, of Denham Springs, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, distribution of heroin, and forfeiture.

-Randall Pendarvis, 33, of Denham Springs, is charged with distribution of Tramadol and forfeiture.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration with local assistance from Louisiana State Police, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and the Baton Rouge Police Department.

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner William "Beau" Clark announced a record-setting 38 deaths this year in East Baton Rouge Parish earlier this week.

"These deaths impact families and communities and are the direct result of heroin being introduced and trafficked in the Greater Baton Rouge area. We will continue our tireless efforts at identifying heroin traffickers at all levels and ensure they face the justice that they deserve. I appreciate the dedication and hard work by all of our law enforcement partners in this ongoing fight against heroin traffickers," said U.S. Attorney Walt Green.