Convicted drug dealer gets 15 years – News – Daily Comet

A 40-year-old Houma man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug charges, prosecutors said.

Edward Vergin, of Helena Drive, pleaded guilty April 10 to four counts of attempted distribution of heroin and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

After Vergin entered his pleas, District court Judge David Arceneaux handed down the 15-year sentence.

Vergin was arrested Sept. 25 following a multi-agency investigation, authorities said.

“It was an undercover ongoing narcotics investigation by the Houma Police Department,” said Sgt. Travis Theriot. “It was a lengthy investigation.”

Louisiana State Police detectives became involved when Vergin began trafficking drugs outside the Houma city limits, Senior Trooper Jesse LaGrange said.

State Police detectives secured a search warrant for Vergin’s home in Schriever, where heroin was found, LaGrange said.

Vergin was originally charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a schedule II controlled dangerous substance, possession of Xanax, three counts of use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor and two counts of distribution of a schedule I controlled dangerous substance.

Assistant District Attorney Amanda Mustin said Vergin’s conviction represents combined efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.

“As everyone knows, the heroin and fentanyl epidemic is out of control, and we lose far too many people to overdoses of these substances,” said Mustin, who prosecuted the case. “At the root of this problem are those who are dealing these poisons. We negotiated pleas to attempted distribution in order to protect witnesses’ identities. However, Vergin is a true dealer, and we believe he is deserving of serious punishment. We are pleased that Judge Arceneaux also takes a heavy stance with regard to heroin and fentanyl distribution and that he refused to offer anything less than a 15-year sentence in this case.”

Vergin’s Metairie attorney, Thomas Calogero, could not be reached for comment.

–Staff Writer Dan Copp can be reached at 446-7639 or at dan.copp@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanVCopp.