Danette Colbert, 49, has been resentenced to life in prison plus 75 years by a Jefferson Parish judge under Louisiana's habitual offender law. The resentencing took place on Wednesday.
In September, Ms Colbert had received a total of 60 years in prison, comprising 50 years for racketeering and a consecutive 10 years for negligent homicide. These sentences relate to the death of Adan Manzano, a journalist for Telemundo Kansas City.
Prosecutors stated that Mr Manzano was among the victims of a criminal operation that allegedly targeted tourists in New Orleans. The group, which included Ms Colbert, her accomplice Rickey White, and co-defendant Christian Anderson, reportedly lured victims with promises of sex before drugging and robbing them. Mr Manzano was found dead in his hotel room in Kenner, Louisiana, in February, days before he was due to cover the Super Bowl.
Judge Nancy Miller of the 24th judicial district court stated during the resentencing that Ms Colbert was found to be at least a fourth felony offender. Prosecutors cited six prior felony cases to enhance her sentence, including 2024 convictions in New Orleans for computer fraud and illegal money transfers, which resulted in a 25-year habitual offender sentence. Her criminal record also includes convictions for fraud, stolen property, burglary, theft, battery, and witness intimidation dating from 2013 to 2019.
The Jefferson Parish district attorney's office confirmed that Ms Colbert's life sentence will be served consecutively to her 50-year racketeering sentence and a 25-year sentence for unrelated crimes in New Orleans.