Stronger penalties are coming for carjackers and drug dealers who package fentanyl so it attracts minors. It’s the result of legislation authored by Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel and approved in the recently completed crime special session. Schlegel says if a carjacking results in serious injury to the victim, the minimum sentence starts at 20 years.
“Right now the max for carjacking is 20 years. So then it becomes the minimum with a range 20 to 30 years. So it ‘s pretty much sending a message that carjacking is not acceptable in our state.”
Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the bill this week. Schlegel says House Bill 7 also requires a minimum of a five-year sentence for a person convicted of carjacking. Right now the minimum penalty is two years.
“And I know when I surveyed my district and ask them what’s one of their most important issue they wanted me to address crime so I wanted to tackle carjackings.”
Schlegel also authored a bill that calls for a 25 to 99-year prison sentence for a person convicted of designing fentanyl so it looks like candy or packaged in a way that would attract minors.
“Fentanyl is one of the biggest drug threats facing our country. And I just wanted to make sure we send a very clear message to these drug dealers that fentanyl designed to appeal to children is not acceptable.”
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