Three plead guilty to myriad drug charges and avoid jury trials
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: September 25, 2012
Three individuals entered guilty pleas today (Sept. 25, 2012) to a variety of drug charges rather than face a jury trial in Caddo Parish district court.
n Waco Collins Jr., 35, pled guilty to possession of CDS Sch. II (cocaine) over 400 grams, distribution of CDS Sch. II (cocaine) and conspiracy to distribute CDS Sch. II (cocaine). Judge Craig Marcotte ordered a presentence investigation for Collins and set a Nov. 26 date for his return to court. Collins is facing a maximum of 30 years in prison on both the possession and distribution charge and a maximum of 15 years in prison on the conspiracy charge.
n Jamie Lashay Dodson, 31, entered a guilty plea to a charge of possession of CDS Sch. II (cocaine) over 400 grams and is looking at a maximum sentence of 30 years. Judge Marcotte set an October sentencing date for Dodson.
n Dwight W. Lowery, 48, pled guilty to possession of CDS Sch. II (cocaine) over 28 grams. Lowery, who could face up to 30 years in prison, will be back in court in October for sentencing.
Caddo Parish Assistant District Attorney Jason Brown said the three entered guilty pleas to the charges for which they were scheduled to stand trial. Collins, Dodson and Lowery were scheduled to go on trial this week.
"There was no reduction in charges," Brown said. "We did not offer any of the defendants any type of deal in return for their pleas."
