A third person was arrested for the death of a Super Bowl reporter in New Orleans, providing new evidence that authorities described it as organized drugs and Robman plot on Friday.
Kenner's police officers are west of New Orleans and accused Christian Anderson of renting a car used by Danette Colbert, one of two previously charged with second-degree murder, fraud and theft, died on February 5 by Adan Manzano, 27.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill described Colbert, 48, as a "serial fraudster."
The Kenner Police Department said in a press release that Anderson, 33, allegedly provided logistical support and had extensive conversations with Colbert after Manzano's death at the Kenner Hotel. The department also accused Anderson of seeking to benefit from Manzano's stolen assets.
Investigators reviewed text messages and digital communications that Anderson allegedly “played an active role in a coordinated model targeting victims, taking drugs and stealing personal property, including telephone and financial account access,” the department said.
Anderson was arrested for alleged simple robbery, wallet robbery, access device fraud, illegal transmission, bank fraud and computer fraud, the department said.
It is not clear whether he has a lawyer speaking on his behalf.
Telemundo reporter Manzano covers the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Kenner police officials said he was with Colbert for the last time in the hotel room with Colbert.
Authorities partially blame Manzano's death on the combined toxic effects of Alprazolam, which is often sold under the Xanax brand Xanax and ethanol. It is not clear how Manzano's medication without a prescription enters his system.
Police officials said a device believed to be Manzano's cell phone was found in Colbert's home, and she allegedly used a credit card in a New Orleans area.
Rickey White, 34, was arrested in Florida in March for fraud and theft. He was extradited to Louisiana and was charged with second-degree murder earlier this month.
White's lawyers denied the charges. Colbert's attorney has not responded to a request for comment, but said in court that she should not be judged based on her criminal history.
Colbert has been charged in several other similar fraud cases, some including drug charges. In one case, the victim accused her of cheering him up, causing him to die, and stole tens of thousands of dollars through accounts related to his iPhone.
Colbert was convicted of computer fraud and other charges in October. Although victim David Butler begged Colbert to pay the highest fine he described in the "Continue to ignore others" as described in the "Impact Statement", she was sentenced to five years of probation in December, two months before Manzano's death.
After NBC News reported on Butler's case, the Louisiana Attorney General's Office intervened and sought tougher penalties for Colbert. Earlier this month, the judge exercising probation found Colbert a "habitual offender" and sentenced her to 25 years in prison, the prosecutor's office said.
"Danette Colbert will eventually be held accountable and she will no longer be free to continue preying on innocent people," Butler later said. "I sincerely hope that this decision will bring some peace to other survivors and help restore their faith in the justice system."
Colbert's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.