Man sentenced to 7 years in prison in crack cocaine case

A man has been sentenced to over seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. When the man’s prison sentence has been served, he will also have four years on probation.

The 42-year-old man was one of three defendants that pleaded guilty in this case. The plea agreements detailed how the three men received cocaine from a 35-year-old man from Glen Burnie, as well as others. The drugs were then either sold or distributed.

Authorities not only observed drug transactions among the defendants, but they also intercepted text messages and telephone calls in which drug trafficking activities were discussed. In May of this year, a traffic stop on a car belonging to the defendant yielded authorities with 42.2 grams of crack cocaine. The defendant had just left the house in Glen Burnie.

In July 23, several search warrants were executed. At one location, authorities recovered 22 grams of cocaine, over $7,100 in cash, drug packaging materials, drug paraphernalia, a .45 caliber handgun, a rifle, ammunition and several cellphones. Another search warrant yielded 30.9 grams of cocaine, $24,000 in cash, a hand press, two hydraulic presses, drug paraphernalia, drug packaging material and spoons with cocaine residue. The third search warrant yielded 11.7 grams of heroin, marijuana seeds, 20 marijuana plants, scales with cocaine residue, a dye press and a six-ton shop press.

According to the plea bargain, the defendant admitted his role in the conspiracy of distributing between 280 and 840 grams of crack cocaine. His two co-defendants admitted to distributing between 500 grams and two kilos of cocaine. Several others have already pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy.

When facing such serious drug charges, it’s important that you are aware of the possible penalties if you are found guilty. In many cases, a plea bargain may provide you with fewer charges or less severe penalties or both. You defense attorney can give you more information on whether an offered plea bargain is a good choice in your case.

Source: Capital Gazette, “Man sentenced to 7 years for cocaine distribution in Anne Arundel, Baltimore,” Nov. 27, 2015