Full Breakdown
Sentencing in New Orleans Tourist Crime Ring
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Court Verdict and Prison Terms
Louisiana state court Judge Nancy Miller sentenced Danette Colbert, 49, to a total of 60 years—50 years for racketeering and a consecutive 10 years for negligent homicide in the death of journalist Adan Manzano. Rickey White, 35, received 45 years for racketeering. The sentences follow a February 5, 2025 jury conviction in Jefferson Parish for the same homicide. Earlier, Colbert had been given a 25-year term for violating probation on a prior theft and fraud conviction.
Crime Overview
Prosecutors described a criminal enterprise operating since 2012 that lured unsuspecting tourists in New Orleans’ French Quarter with promises of sex, then drugged and robbed them. Manzano, a Telemundo Kansas City reporter covering the 2025 Super Bowl clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, was found dead in his Kenner hotel room. The Jefferson Parish coroner ruled death a result of positional asphyxiation; an autopsy detected Xanax and alcohol. Co-defendant Christian Anderson testified against Colbert and White.
Family and Community Response
“They snatched his dreams, life and family as we were seeing him happy and successful.” — WVUE His cousin Carlos Castillo expressed a desire for lifelong punishment for the perpetrators. “I want to look you guys in the face and say that you should pay your entire life for this … Every time the cell opens and you cannot see the light, you think of my cousin.” — Carlos Castillo Manzano’s mother declined to comment directly, describing the offenders as “beings of darkness.” Manzano’s wife, Ashleigh Boyd, had been killed in an April 2024 car crash; her death was later linked to Todd W Armstrong, who was found guilty of vehicular homicide on September 21.
Official Statements
Judge Miller told Colbert that “you were indifferent to the impact that your actions had,” emphasizing a pattern of criminal behavior. “You were indifferent to the impact that your actions had,” — Nancy Miller Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick’s office relayed the father’s statement that the sentencing should
Verbatim Quotes
- “They snatched his dreams, life and family as we were seeing him happy and successful.” — WVUE “They snatched his dreams, life and family as we were seeing him happy and successful.” — WVUE
- “I want to look you guys in the face and say that you should pay your entire life for this … Every time the cell opens and you cannot see the light, you think of my cousin.” — Carlos Castillo “I want to look you guys in the face and say that you should pay your entire life for this … Every time the cell opens and you cannot see the light, you think of my cousin.” — Carlos Castillo
- “You were indifferent to the impact that your actions had,” — Nancy Miller “You were indifferent to the impact that your actions had,” — Nancy Miller