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.