Agosto 10, 2006
Contact: Public Information Office
Phone Number: (571) 362-1934
For Immediate Release

Annapolis Man Sentenced to Over 12 Years in Prison in Drug Conspiracy

AUG 10 --  BALTIMORE, Maryland - Warren Young, age 36, of Annapolis, was sentenced today to 132 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine within 1000 feet of a public housing facility, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland  Rod J. Rosenstein.  At today’s sentencing U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. ruled that Young was a career offender based on his previous convictions for a crime of violence and a felony drug offense.

According to the statement of facts presented at his guilty plea, during 2002 and 2003, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Anne Arundel County Police Department and Annapolis Police Department conducted an investigation into the drug trafficking activity of Otto Thorpe, Warren Young and others. On May 21, 2003 Warren Young contacted  Thorpe to buy crack cocaine. Thorpe advised that he only had powder cocaine, which was being sold for $900 an ounce. Young advised that he wanted one ounce of crack and Thorpe agreed to “rock it up” (cook powder cocaine into crack cocaine) for Young. On May 22, 2003 Young again contacted Thorpe and asked if had a scale and a lab rat. Young explained that he wanted the “lab rat,” a person who will sample the drugs, because the last time he made a purchase from Thorpe, the cocaine was not good quality. 

The investigation revealed that Thorpe utilized a residence in Eastport Terrace, a public housing facility, to cook powder cocaine into crack cocaine and that Young contacted him at the Eastport Terrace residence.

Thorpe, age 28, of Annapolis, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced 138 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, Anne Arundel County Police Department and Annapolis Police Department for their investigative work in this case.  Mr. Rosenstein also praised Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Romano, who is prosecuting the case.