Pubdate: Tue, 21 May 2002
Source: Alexandria Daily Town Talk (LA)
Website: http://www.thetowntalk.com/
Feedback: http://www.thetowntalk.com/rw_submit.htm
Address: P.O. Box 7558, Alexandria, LA 71306
Contact:  2002 Alexandria Daily Town Talk
Fax: (318) 487-6488
Author: Steve Bannister

WAR HERO SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR COCAINE TRAFFICKING

Charles Ray Love Sr. was a credit to his country but a scourge to his 
community.

The same man decorated for heroism during the Vietnam War helped damage an 
untold number of lives as part of a major narcotics ring.

Love, 53, of Alexandria, was awarded a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars 
for his heroism in the Vietnam War.

On Monday, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for convictions relating 
to cocaine trafficking.

Love could have been facing even more prison time from 9th Judicial 
District Judge Tom Yeager.

Love's attorney, Glenn Cortello, said he thinks Love's military record 
played a major role in his client not getting more prison time. Cortello 
also said Love could be paroled in about 10 years.

Love was one of eight members of the Love family arrested on drug 
trafficking charges. Five have been convicted. Three more await trial June 17.

During the investigation police seized about $173,000 in cash, along with 
drugs with an estimated street value of $150,000.

Three members of the drug ring pleaded guilty in February.

Charles Love and a second defendant, Serenthia Renee Love, 23, of 
Alexandria, opted for a trial. They were found guilty on multiple charges 
of drug trafficking and money laundering in a trial earlier this spring.

Thanks to Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorneys Loren Lampert and 
Charles Johnson, the Love case has made history. The two prosecutors took 
advantage of a new provision in state law to prosecute the Loves for money 
laundering.

Some defendants had pleaded guilty to state money laundering charges in the 
past. But Charles Love and Serenthia Love were the first to be convicted of 
money laundering in a trial in state court.

On May 17, Yeager sentenced Serenthia Love to 20 years in prison, but he 
suspended all but the first five years. Upon her release, she is to spend 
five years on probation. She also was fined $10,000.
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