Covington man is fifth member of cocaine ring to plead guilty

Like falling dominoes, members of a Covington ring that sold crack cocaine are pleading guilty in federal court.

Thursday, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten announced that Nathaniel Jackson III, 23, pleaded guilty to taking part in a conspiracy to sell 192 grams of crack cocaine between August and November 2008. Jackson is the fifth member of the ring to plead guilty to dealing crack cocaine. Jackson’s wife, Destiny C. Route, 26, Kendrick D. Chatman Jr., 35, Kenneth D. Davidson, 30 and Kalic K. Jackson, 30, a cousin of Jackson III, all of Covington, have pleaded guilty to the same charges after they, along with Jackson’s father, Nathaniel Jackson Jr. were indicted by a federal grand jury April 23. Jackson Jr., who has not pleaded guilty, is scheduled to go on trial Dec. 7.

Using a confidential source, an undercover agent with the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office was able to purchase 192 grams of crack cocaine from Jackson III and other members of the ring.

According to the factual basis document, the FBI learned that Davidson was selling various amounts of crack cocaine and ecstasy and they contacted the Sheriff’s office. The undercover agent and the informant made contact with Davidson July 10, 2008, and were able to buy 29 grams of cocaine.

From then on until Oct. 8, 2008, the agents were able to buy crack from the Covington ring seven more times, each time getting closer and closer to the top man in the operation, Jackson Jr. During this time, Davidson was arrested and then helped the police set up future purchases of crack cocaine from both Jackson III and Jackson Jr. At certain buys, Jackson III’s wife Route would show up with the cocaine accompanied by her child, according to the factual basis.

Route is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 8; Kalic Jackson and Chatman will face sentencing Jan. 19, 2010, and Davidson will be sentenced Dec. 15. Nathan Jackson III will face sentencing Feb. 9, 2010. Because of a prior drug arrest in 2003 where he served five years, Jackson III is facing a minimum sentence of 20 years in jail, and a maximum of a life sentence, plus an $8 million fine.