Louisiana Courts Sentenced Pair for Hotel Death
Two individuals received lengthy prison terms for a deadly plot involving sedation and theft.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Financial Crime
Danette Colbert and Rickey White were sentenced in September 2026 for their roles in the February 5, 2025, death of 27-year-old Adan Manzano. The pair was involved in a criminal scheme that lured men to hotel rooms in Kenner, Louisiana, to steal their valuables after sedation.
Why it matters
The case highlights the severe legal consequences for criminal enterprises that utilize drugging to target victims for robbery. These sentencings provide a measure of resolution for the family of the victim who died due to the combination of substances and positional asphyxia.
Danette Colbert received a 60-year prison sentence, while Rickey White was sentenced to 45 years. These outcomes follow trials held in New Orleans after their roles in the February 2025 hotel incident were established.
The players
Danette Colbert
A criminal convicted for her role in a robbery scheme that resulted in a fatality.
Rickey White
A co-conspirator sentenced for participating in the fatal sedation and robbery plot.
Adan Manzano
The 27-year-old victim who died after being sedated in a hotel room.
The details
Colbert and White executed a pattern of luring men into hotel rooms, where they would sedate them to facilitate the theft of personal property. Adan Manzano died from the effects of alcohol, benzodiazepines, and positional asphyxia during one such encounter.
Timeline
February 5, 2025: Adan Manzano died in a Kenner hotel room.
September 2026: The court finalized the sentences for Colbert and White.
Legal Context
This case follows a pattern of major regional criminal litigation similar to the 2024 Topeka vehicular homicide case involving Todd W. Armstrong. Courts in the area continue to aggressively prosecute cases involving fatal negligence and criminal predation.
Local residents and visitors are advised to maintain awareness of their surroundings in hotel environments. The conclusion of this trial serves as a reminder of the security protocols enforced by law enforcement to address criminal activity in the hospitality sector.
The takeaway
Criminal activities involving the involuntary administration of substances carry extreme legal risks and often result in decades of incarceration. Individuals should exercise caution and be wary of suspicious invitations from unknown parties to private settings.
Further reading
For additional context on regional judicial proceedings, explore our coverage of Financial Crime.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mail Online.
