Since 2010 Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies and the EBR Coroner have been investigating several heroin overdose deaths in Baton Rouge. In 2010, there were 4 heroin overdose deaths. The type of heroin causing these deaths was found to be consistent. Around this same time the Baton Rouge Police Dept. developed Christopher “Julio” Varnado as a suspected heroin dealer and made a controlled purchase from Varnado. The heroin purchased was tested and found to be similar to the heroin used in the overdose cases. No further evidence was developed to directly link Varnado’s sales to these particular overdoses. Information was developed that Varnado and Dearcy(Darcy) Robertson and others were working together to distribute heroin and roxycontin. They made use of storefronts; particularly Urban Imaging/Dope Man Entertainment located at 8529 Greenwell Springs Rd. in Baton Rouge as well as other locations to distribute illegal drugs. Varnado was receiving heroin and roxicodone from both known and unknown sources including Ronza Robertson. Varnado used Kenneth Robertson and Dearcy Robertson to distribute the illegal drugs. Investigators also received information that led to Varnado being suspected of several acts of violence associated with drug transactions to include a home invasion and two shootings. These investigations remain active with no arrests at this time. Investigators were able to make two controlled, recorded drug purchases from Darcy Robertson, one of Varnado’s dealers. At least one of the purchases was from the Urban Imaging location. During the recorded interviews, it was determined that Robertson and Varnado worked together to sell the illegal drugs and that Varnado was the source of the drugs to Robertson and others. Following the undercover purchases and consensual recordings, the Capitol Area Gang Task Force, which is comprised of officers/deputies from many agencies in and surrounding Baton Rouge began to work towards a court authorized wire intercept to capture the phone and text conversations of Varnado and Robertson. Investigators learned the phone numbers of Robertson and were able to obtain judicial consent to monitor his calls beginning May 2“d, 2013. These calls were monitored for approximately 30 days. Investigators also made use of various surveillance techniques to monitor events. From the inception of the wire until its end, it was abundantly clear that Robertson, Varnado and others were in business to distribute drugs. Thousands of calls were monitored. Surveillance was conducted by many agencies. It was also very clear that these individuals were suspicious of law enforcement surveillance, and made attempts to conceal their dealing. Also clear was that there were no legitimate business dealings for any of the businesses claimed by Varnado. During the monitoring of Robertson’s phone, investigators learned the phone numbers of Varnado, the source of the drugs. A court ordered wire was authorized for his phones on May 31st, 2013. The drug dealing conversations continued between Varnado, Robertson and others. Surveillance by investigators confirmed the recorded conversations and texts. As a result of the two court ordered wire intercepts, on 6-21-13 the CAGTF with the assistance of BRPD, EBRSO and LSP, executed search Warrants at 2042 Sobers St., 8252 W. El Cajon, 2036 Ovid St., 16339 Hamilton Ave., as well as 2 search warrants for safety deposit Boxes at local banks. As a result of the search warrants detectives seized the following: 2042 Sobers St. 90 d/u Roxicodone, $9779.00, 1 Taurus .38 special revolver 2036 Ovid St. 31 packs of heroin, $1025.00, digital scale 16339 Hamilton St. 3 firearms, unknown make and models 8252 W. El Cajon St. No Evidence collected. Alexandria, La $1000.00 in cash Other safety Deposits Boxes have not been searched yet; however the Defendant cooperated with Detectives and estimated that there was approx. $15,000-$17,000 in money located in the boxes. Arrangements have been made with the respective banks to open the boxes. In addition detectives seized three bank accounts holding approx. $13,000.00. Other searches are currently being conducted. Investigators secured arrests warrants for four individuals including Robertson and Varnado. As a result of the search warrants two others were also arrested. More arrests and search warrants are expected. Those Arrested: Christopher Varnado 9-5-81 - $325,000 bond, with a Hold. Prior Convicted Felon. 1999: Possession of Schedule II. 2 years DOC. 2000: Possession of a firearm with CDS, second offense. 5 years DOC. 2007: Accessory after the fact, 2 years DOC to be served consecutive to four-year sentence in Texas. Served time in Texas for Aggravated Assault under the alias of Rudy Val Roach. Currently awaiting trial from arrest for Illegal carrying of a weapon, PWID Schedule II drugs and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Status is set on 7-2-13. Section 5. LRS 15:1353[C] Racketeering, LRS 401966, Dist. of Sch. 1, Heroin, 40:967 Dist. of Sch. 2, Roxicodone, 40:979, Conspiracy to dist. Sch. 1, Heroin and LRS 40:979 Conspiracy to dist Sch. 2, Roxicodone, PWID Sch 2 drugs, Roxicodone, Poss. firearm w/CDS, Convicted Felon in Poss. of Firearm. Dearcy Robertson 3-14-89 $275,000 Bond. Hold placed on pending charges. Awaiting trial for PWID Schedule 1. Status set on 7-2-13, Section 3. Bench Warrant outstanding. RS 1511353 [C] Racketering, LRS 401966, Dist. of Sch. 1, Heroin, 401967 Dist. of Sch. 2, Roxicodone, 40:979, Conspiracy to dist. Sch. 1, Heroin and LRS 40:979, and Conspiracy to dist Sch. 2, Roxicodone, PWH) Sch. 2 drugs Heroin Ronza Robertson 5-20-80 $225,000 Bond Currently awaiting trial for theft of goods on 7-25-13, Section 1. LRS 15:1353[C] Racketering, LRS 401966, Dist. of Sch. 1, Heroin, 40:967 Dist. of Sch.2, Roxicodone, 40:979, Conspiracy to dist. Sch. 1, Heroin and LRS 401979 Conspiracy to dist Sch. 2, Roxicodone Marlene Varnado 1-13-62 $150,000 bond. LRS 15: 1353[C] Racketering, LRS 40:979 Conspiracy to distribute Schedule 1 drugs,Heroin and LRS 40:979 Conspiracy to distribute Schedule 2 drugs, Roxicodone Kenneth Robertson 7-3-85 Arrested in Rapides. Awaiting transfer to Baton Rouge RS 15 :1353[C] Racketering, LRS 40:966, Dist. of Sch. 1, Heroin, 40:967 Dist. of Sch. 2, Roxicodone, 40:979. Conspiracy to dist. Sch. l, Heroin and LRS 40:979, and Conspiracy to dist Sch. 2, Roxicodone. Lakato Edwards 7-21-93 Bond $10.00 Previously convicted of attempted possession of marijuana. Section 5. Sentence to 6 months ASP. Conditions is no criminal activity. [...]
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