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March 13, 2023Memphis, TN, United StatesNarcotics

Former MLB player, co-conspirator convicted of drug conspiracy

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville, former MLB player Luther Hackman, 48, pled guilty to money laundering and conspiring to distribute cocaine March 9. In the same case, a federal judge convicted Paul Seib, age 46 and a Canadian citizen, of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms of cocaine following a four-day federal jury trial.

According to U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Kevin G. Ritz, the charges and information presented in court, HSI Nashville received information that someone named Pablo was searching for multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine for his clients in October 2021. After a series of communications, investigators identified Seib as Pablo and arranged a meeting to transfer 10 kilograms of cocaine. Both Seib and Hackman were present during this meeting. However, the person responsible for paying for the narcotics did not show up at the meeting, so the transfer never occurred.

In January 2022, Hackman provided a confidential source with $96,800 in cash and told them about a shipment of cocaine and methamphetamine coming from California. Investigators intercepted 20 pounds of methamphetamine and four kilograms of cocaine and detained Hackman when he arrived to pick it up.

Hackman’s sentencing hearing is set for June 7, and Seib’s is scheduled for July 12. United States District Judge Mark S. Norris will sentence both men.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations and organized criminal enterprises, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

This case was also investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to combat narcotics @HSI_Nashville.

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