Seventeen Defendants Sentenced In Large Kentucky Crack Cocaine Distribution Ring
Organization Responsible for 100 Kilos of Crack Hitting Streets of Kentucky; Dunbar and Moore Sentenced to Life Behind Bars for Their Roles
PADUCAH, KY - - David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky and Robert L. Corso, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA), announced today that U.S. District Judge Thomas B. Russell sentenced two Hopkinsville, Kentucky men to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
James Lamonte Dunbar and Rodney Edward Moore received the mandatory sentence after being convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine on January 18, 2011. Dwayne Michael Joseph of Hopkinsville, Kentucky also was convicted at trial and faces a mandatory sentence of twenty years to life behind bars without the possibility of parole. Joseph is scheduled for sentencing on May 23, 2011 in United States District Court, Paducah, Kentucky.
Judge Russell also sentenced six other defendants this week from Kentucky, who were indicted by a federal grand jury for their role in the same conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. All entered plea agreements with the United States Attorney’s Office and agreed to testify at trial. Alajawon Burks, Devona Riley and Ronnie Whalen were sentenced to 120 months in prison; Charles Jones was sentenced to 96 months in prison; Marcus Harris and Cameyon Roberts were sentenced to 60 months in prison.
Previously sentenced by Judge Russell for their role in the conspiracy were Marvin Acree, Perry Redd and Rex Whitlock to 120 months in prison; Amanda Elaine Bush to 240 months in prison; Anthony Hester, 180 months in prison; Alvin Wayne Quarles, 150 months in prison; Donald Williams, 96 months in prison; and Lartavious Banks and Corey Gray to 60 months in prison.
According to evidence presented at trial, from June 2007, through June of 2009, the total amount of crack cocaine distributed by this conspiracy was in excess of 100 kilograms. Crack cocaine is a schedule II controlled substance with a known street value of approximately $100 per gram in that region of Kentucky.
Taking the lead in this nearly two year-long investigation was the DEA with assistance from the Western Kentucky Gun Crime Task Force. The task force includes investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and (ATF), the Hopkinsville Police Department, and the Christian County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Larry Fentress.
