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Farmworkers allegedly received crack on credit
Associated Press
Published October 20, 2005
JACKSONVILLE - A new indictment alleges that farmworkers at two camps were sold crack cocaine on credit by the camps' owner, with the amount deducted from their weekly paychecks.
Ronald Evans Sr., his wife, Jequita Evans, and his son, Ronald Evans Jr. are among eight people facing up to life in prison if convicted on charges of dealing cocaine at labor camps in East Palatka and Newton Grove, N.C.
The indictment, issued last week and unsealed Tuesday, is the fourth round of charges since authorities raided Evans Sr.'s East Palatka camp in June.
Five of the eight defendants were named in previous indictments. The two most notable additions are Jequita Evans and Ronald Evans Jr. The latest indictment includes the previous charges, including labor and environmental charges.
Bob Willis, Evans Sr.'s attorney, did not return a telephone call seeking comment. There was no immediate information available on legal representation by Evans Jr. or Jequita Evans.
Jequita Evans was arrested Tuesday in East Palatka and was released after an afternoon court appearance.
Ronald Evans Jr. was arrested Tuesday morning at his father's labor camp in North Carolina and remained in jail awaiting a hearing this week or next.
The farm labor crews work on North Carolina potato and vegetable farms in the summer and early fall. Workers usually return to northeast Florida in October or November for the cabbage and potato seasons.
Ronald Evans Jr. had been running the labor contracting business since the June raid in East Palatka, where police found 148 rocks of crack cocaine, about 20 cases of beer and dozens of packs of cigarettes.
The indictment does not detail who sold the drugs, but said the eight were part of an operation that distributed more than 50 grams of crack cocaine.
Each charge carries up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years.
If the defendants are found guilty, the government is seeking to take Ronald Evans Sr.'s home, both of his labor camps and 16 vehicles registered either in his name or to him and his wife jointly. Those vehicles include seven trucks, two Mercedes-Benzes, a Corvette and a motor home.
[Last modified October 20, 2005, 01:18:04]
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