Four people arrested for for Promoting Prostitution, Drugs, Money Laundering, Racketeering

Four people were arrested last night following a four-month investigation conducted by the Bossier Sheriff’s Office, said Bossier Sheriff Larry Deen. The charges range from the promotion of prostitution to distribution of drugs to money laundering to racketeering.
“When people cross the line and break the law in Bossier Parish, there is a price to pay,” said Deen. “Our investigators and our undercover narcotics agents patiently worked this case and have taken down some criminals who thought they were above the law. But, the truth is, no one is above the law.”
Arthur J. Mathews, 52, of the 500 block of Glenwood, was charged with two counts of distribution of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, one count of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance, five counts of pandering, five counts of promoting prostitution and five counts of money laundering.
Tara Marie Echols, 39, also of the 500 block of Glenwood, was charged with one count of distribution of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, three counts of pandering, three counts of promoting prostitution, three counts of money laundering and one count of racketeering.
Raymond H. Moore, 55, of the 300 block of Crosscreek, was charged with one count of racketeering, eight counts of money laundering, two counts of the illegal carrying of weapons with a controlled dangerous substance, eight counts of the distribution of Lortab, three counts of the distribution of Soma and two counts of the distribution of Xanax.
Danielle Wood, 31, of the 2600 block of West Cavett, was charged with one count of marijuana possession.
Bossier Sheriff’s investigators say the agency’s undercover narcotics agents bought drugs from Mathews, Echols and Moore at various times during the investigation. On several occasions, Mathews and Nichols offered to provide prostitutes for the agents.
Mathews owned a limousine company, Executive Rides, and Echols was a driver for him. Mathews and Moore owned a number of taxi cabs that were subcontracted by Action Taxi of Bossier City. Mathews, Echols and Moore often provided their fares with drugs, while Mathews and Echols also sometimes provided prostitutes. Bossier Sheriff’s investigators say the owner of Action Taxi was unaware of the illegal activities that Mathews and Moore were conducting in the cabs.
So far, the Bossier Sheriff’s Office, under court seizure, has impounded fourteen taxi cabs and one limousine, and is in the process of attempting to seize Mathews’ residence and Moore’s residence. The vehicles and the houses are being seized because they were used in the illegal acquisition of revenue from drugs and prostitution. As the investigation continues, more seizures are expected.
All four arrestees are being held at the Bossier Maximum Security Facility. Mathews’ bond has been set at $205,000, Echols’ at $130,000, Moore’s at $260,000 and Wood’s at $500.
From Bossier Parish Sheriff