DECATUR, Ga. — A Conyers man was one of three men indicted in connection to an alleged drug trafficking scheme that left his newlywed wife dead.
According to the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office, a Grand Jury indicted Michael Dale Lavigne, Wednesday, on two counts of felony murder, conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The indictment comes in connection to the death of 35-year-old Alisha Stephens at a Popeyes restaurant off Panola Road in October last year.
Photos: Triple shooting leaves 1 dead
According to an investigation, Lavigne, 33, and Stephens went to the Lithonia store to meet 19-year-old Carlos Rodriguez in order to buy meth that they would later sell. After exchanging money, investigators said an argument between them escalated into a gunfight. Lavigne and Rodriguez were both hit, but Stephens was fatally struck.
After further investigation, detectives discovered that the drug deal was actually allegedly orchestrated from behind bars by Juan Carlos Ortiz. The 29-year-old, prosecutors claim, is a boss for the "Latin Kings" gang and had already been serving time at Hancock State Prison in Sparta, Georgia for a 2008 armed robbery conviction.
The grand jury indicted all three men - Lavigne, Rodriguez and Ortiz - for their alleged roles in the crime. In addition, Rodriguez and Ortiz, both alleged members of the Latin Kings gang, were indicted for murder, robbery, aggravated assault and conspiracy charges.
Following his indictment, authorities issued warrants for Lavigne’s arrest. Rodriquez was arrested shortly after the crime. A trial date has not yet been set for Lavigne, Ortiz, and Rodriguez.
This indictment marks the second time the D.A.'s office has charged a high-ranking gang member with allegedly organizing criminal activity from prison. Sex, Money, Murder leader, Kenneth “K.G.” Jackson, was sentenced to life without parole last year after being convicted of ordering a hit from prison that resulted in the death of a baby.
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