Hagerstown Drug Dealer Exiled To 10 Years In Prison
BALTIMORE - U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Vincent Hernandez, 31, of Hagerstown, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute cocaine base, possession of a firearm in furtherance of the drug conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a gun. Judge Motz enhanced Hernandez’s sentence upon finding that he has a prior felony conviction for a drug offense.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division and Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore.
According to evidence presented at the three day trial, from November 2009 to January 2010, an individual made four controlled buys of crack cocaine supplied by Hernandez. After the fourth purchase on January 6, 2010, members of the Washington County Task Force and DEA executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s home and seized drug paraphernalia including a digital scale, plastic baggies; names and telephone numbers of drug customers; a handgun and bullets; and $4,135. Due to Hernandez’ previous felony conviction, he was prohibited from possessing a gun.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA and Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Peter M. Nothstein, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
