Judge Lauren Lemmon sentenced Derrick Pierre to 25 years at hard labor for his conviction of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.  Lemmon also sentenced Pierre to five years at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence for illegal possession of a firearm while possessing cocaine.  

Lemmon told Pierre she is a proponent of second chances and rehabilitation, specifically when substance abuse is an issue. She went on to say, however, that she is not a proponent of drug dealers and repeat offenders. Lemmon stated that Pierre had been given many chances and opportunities in the past to rehabilitate his life and failed to do so. Pierre was previously convicted for battery on a police officer in 2009 in St. Charles Parish and also had Orleans Parish convictions for possession of cocaine in 2004, carrying a semi-automatic weapon in 2004 and possession of stolen property in 2002 (reduced from a residence burglary).

Pierre was convicted by a unanimous jury on Oct. 15, 2012. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kim K. McElwee and Connie M. Aucoin.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Pierre’s house at 222  Second St. in St. Rose on Feb. 1, 2012, and just prior to making entry into the house, Pierre threw a M&M candy bottle with 40 individually wrapped rocks of cocaine out of the kitchen window. The police also located cocaine inside of Pierre’s pocket along with $842 in mixed denominations of cash. The police also seized four digital scales and an additional $1,000 in cash from the house. Analyst Cyprian, an expert in the field of identification and analysis of controlled dangerous substances with the Jefferson Parish Crime Lab, tested all of the narcotics and determined them to be cocaine.

District Attorney Joel T. Chaisson II said he was very pleased with the outcome of the case and reiterated his office’s commitment to continue to aggressively prosecute drug dealers, violent offenders and repeat offenders. Chaisson also praised the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office for their hard work and dedication to removing drug dealers from the streets of St. Charles Parish.  

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