United States Drug Enforcement Administration

GREENBELT, Md. - Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Jamar Holt, a/k/a “Reds,” “Jamal Holt” and “Rex,” age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 20 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and a kilogram or more of heroin; engaging in money laundering; and violating his supervised release.  Chief Judge Chasanow also entered an order requiring Holt to forfeit $1 million, two vehicles, three properties located in Baltimore, as well as jewelry and $22,390 seized at Holt’s residence during the execution of a search warrant.

The sentence was announced by Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Kelly of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.
  
According to his plea agreement, from October 2012 to April 2013, Holt acquired kilograms of cocaine and other quantities of heroin, and provided the drugs to conspirators who distributed the drugs to customers.  Co-conspirator Damon Estep coordinated the delivery of cocaine to himself and other conspirators from St. Mary’s County.  The conspirators would meet in Glen Burnie to pay for the drugs to be distributed in St. Mary’s County by Estep and others.  The distribution of between 15 and five kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, and between three and one kilograms of heroin, were reasonably foreseeable to Holt. 

Holt had been sentenced on April 14, 2005 in federal court in Maryland to six years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute heroin. His drug trafficking activities occurred while on supervised release, thereby violating his terms of release.

In November 2012, Holt gave his girlfriend around $20,000, more or less, to buy a 2012 Jeep. In December 2012, Holt also delivered checks totaling $54,440.42 to an individual to pay off an outstanding loan on properties located at 524-530 Oldtown Mall, Baltimore.  In return, Holt received an ownership interest in the properties.  In February 2013, Holt provided $51,000 in cash to the seller of property located at 4338 Glenmore Avenue in Baltimore, in order to buy the property.  The monies Holt provided in these transactions included the proceeds of his drug trafficking, which Holt intended to conceal.

When Holt was charged in May 2013 in a superseding indictment, he was notified that the government would seek forfeiture of any property obtained as a result of the drug conspiracy.  Nevertheless, on June 25, 2013, Holt filed a false document purporting to transfer his ownership in 4338 Glenmore to his sister and mother. The signatures of his mother and sister on the document were forged.  In filing this document, Holt intended to obstruct forfeiture proceedings.

On April 25, 2013, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Holt’s residence and seized drug paraphernalia, seven cell phones, $22,390 in cash and over $119,000 in jewelry, including 12 watches with brands such as Rolex and Breitling.

Chief Judge Chasanow sentenced Damon Jerome Estep, a/k/a “Country”, age 38, of California, Maryland, on February 7, 2014 to 188 months in prison. Co-defendants Alrahman Sharif Allen, a/k/a “Rock” and “Rahman Allen;” and Jeffrey Kirk Berry, a/k/a “Kojack,” previously pleaded guilty to their participation in the conspiracy and await sentencing.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, and IRS-Criminal Investigation for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah Jo Bressack and Deborah Johnston, who prosecuted the case.