MIAMI HERALD

January 19, 2006

LABOR CAMPS

Feds seek alleged cocaine profits

Federal prosecutors in North Florida are seeking to recover $1.3 million from alleged crack cocaine sales by the owners of two farm labor camps.

The forfeiture claim for money, land and luxury cars is part of new charges filed against Ronald R. Evans Sr., his wife, Jequita Dumbar Evans, and his son, Ronald R. Evans Jr. They are among eight people facing up to life in prison if convicted on charges of dealing cocaine at labor camps in East Palatka and Newton Grove, N.C.

The updated indictment, issued last week, alleges that Ronald Evans Sr. and Jequita Evans evaded federal bank reporting requirements between 2001 and 2005 by deliberately cashing 145 checks in amounts of less than $10,000. Such reporting is required for amounts more than $10,000.

The indictment is the latest round of charges since authorities raided Evans Sr.'s East Palatka camp in June 2005. It includes the previous charges, labor and environmental violations.

The farm labor crews work on North Carolina potato and vegetable farms in the summer and early fall. Workers usually return to northeast Florida in October or November for the cabbage and potato seasons.

Ronald R. Evans Jr. had been running the labor contracting business since the June raid in East Palatka where police found 148 rocks of crack cocaine, about 20 cases of beer and cigarettes.