Former St. Louis Cardinals reliever pleads guilty to drug conspiracy, money laundering

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee)

Paul Seib, age 46 and a Canadian citizen, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms of cocaine after a four-day federal jury trial. In the same case, former professional baseball player Luther Hackman, 48, pled guilty to money laundering and conspiring to distribute cocaine.

(Note: Hackman was a relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals between 2000 and 2002.)

According to U.S. Attorney Ritz, the charges, and information presented in court, in October 2021 investigators with Homeland Security Investigations received information that “Pablo” was in search of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine for his clients. 

After a series of communications, investigators identified Seib as “Pablo” and arranged a meeting to transfer 10 kilograms of cocaine. Both Seib and Hackman were present during this meeting; however, the transfer did not occur because the individual responsible for paying for the narcotics did not arrive.

In January 2022, Hackman provided a confidential source with $96,800 in cash and told the source about a shipment of multiple kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine coming from California. Investigators intercepted the 20 pounds of methamphetamine and 4 kilograms of cocaine and detained Hackman as he arrived to pick up the shipment.

The sentencing hearing for Hackman is set for June 7, 2023, and Seib on July 12, 2023, both before United States District Judge Mark S. Norris.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations and organized criminal enterprises, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Musselwhite and Joe Murphy, who prosecuted this case, as well as law enforcement partners who investigated the case.