Four convicted, including state trooper, in cocaine trafficking conspiracy tied to Mexico and Alabama

Four individuals have been convicted in federal court for their roles in a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation that transported drugs from Mexico to Alabama, according to an announcement from Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer.

On May 19, a federal jury found Jim Carter, Jr., 58, of Montgomery; Francisco Lopez, 39, of Texas; Michael Evans, 53, of Montgomery; and Bryce Johnson, 38, of Union Springs, guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Carter and Lopez were also convicted of an additional charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, the DEA began investigating a suspected drug trafficking network involving Carter in 2023. Investigators learned that Carter traveled to Texas and crossed the border into Mexico on multiple occasions to further the conspiracy. Couriers regularly transported cocaine from Texas to Alabama, where it was delivered to Carter. On June 10, 2024, DEA agents seized six kilograms of cocaine during a delivery by Lopez to Carter.

The trial also revealed that Michael Evans, who was an Alabama State Trooper at the time, offered to wear his uniform and use his official patrol vehicle to assist in the drug transportation in an attempt to avoid detection by law enforcement.

Carter and Lopez each face a statutory sentence of 10 years to life in federal prison. Evans and Johnson face up to 20 years. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in the coming months. There is no parole in the federal system.

Five other individuals have previously pleaded guilty in connection with the investigation:

Saundra Curry, 63, of Deatsville, Alabama – pleaded guilty on September 19, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Othello Howard, 29, of Montgomery, Alabama – pleaded guilty on February 3, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Jimario Thompson, 37, of Montgomery, Alabama – pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Raul Ramos Deleon, a Mexican national – pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025, to illegal reentry after deportation.
Maria Beatriz Palomo-De Lopez, 41, also a Mexican national – pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025, to illegal reentry after deportation.

All five individuals face up to 20 years in federal prison.

“This case is a clear reminder of the serious threat that drug trafficking poses to our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson. “Cocaine and other illegal narcotics fuel violence, addiction, and instability in neighborhoods across Alabama and the nation. Our office remains committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to dismantle these networks and hold traffickers accountable, no matter where the drugs originate or how they move.”

“This investigation shows that no one is above the law – not even those sworn to uphold it,” said Special Agent in Charge Hofer. “Drug trafficking puts lives at risk and tears at the fabric of our communities. The DEA, working alongside our local law enforcement partners, is committed to protecting the people of Alabama by keeping dangerous drugs off the streets and ensuring accountability at every level. Our communities deserve safety, justice, and law enforcement they can trust.”

The DEA led the investigation with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Millbrook Police Department, Montgomery Police Department, and Prattville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Andreu and Michelle R. Turner.

This case was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative, a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency effort aimed at disrupting and dismantling the highest-level criminal drug organizations.

Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].