3 held in La. drug ring
Published 11:14 am Friday, April 13, 2012
Three people, including the owners of a Tensas Parish bar where three killings have occurred since 2010, were in jail today on drug charges.
Robert Welch, 63, of Winnsboro, the owner of Highway 4 Bar, was arrested at his home and charged with distribution of methamphetamine, transactions involving drug proceeds, two counts of illegal possession of firearms and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, said Louisiana State Police spokeswoman Lt. Julie Lewis.
Welch was held in Franklin Parish Detention Center in lieu of $133,000 bail, Lewis said.
He also will face charges in Tensas Parish for distributing methamphetamine, transactions involving drug proceeds, and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. His bail there is expected to total $90,000, Lewis said.
Welch and his wife, Eunice Welch, also 63, are accused of dealing drugs out of their Franklin Parish home and from Highway 4 Bar, Lewis said.
Eunice Welch was booked into the Franklin Parish Detention Center on charges of distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Lewis said.
Eunice Welch was held in lieu of $75,000 bail, Lewis said.
In Tensas Parish, Eunice Welch faces charges of transactions involving drug proceeds and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Her bail there is expected to be $32,500, Lewis said.
The drug charges stem from the investigation into the March 3 shooting death of Colby Fortenberry, a bartender at Highway 4 Bar.
The third suspect, Todd Crockett, 41, no address available, was arrested in Caldwell Parish and charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy, possession with intent to distribute Lortab, transactions involving drug proceeds and illegal possession of firearms, Lewis said.
Crockett was in Caldwell Parish Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Crockett is a multiparish methamphetamine supplier, and additional arrests are expected, Lewis said.
Three people — Carl Crain, Jody Ezell and Fortenberry — have been killed at Highway 4 bar since July 2010, Lewis said.