July 21, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
www.justice.gov/usao/md MARCIA MURPHY at (410) 209-4885
ST. MARY'S COUNTY DRUG DEALER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON
Greenbelt, Maryland - Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Jeffrey Kirk Berry, a/k/a "Kojack," age 55, of Lexington Park, Maryland, today to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute powder and crack cocaine; and for being a felon in possession of firearms. Chief Judge Chasanow also found that Berry was an armed career criminal based on three previous drug convictions. For the full press release go to www.justice.gov/usao/md
Captain Dan Alioto, Commander of the Vice/Narcotics Division of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, had this to say about these convictions/sentences, "This is another great example of what happens when long term committed partnerships work together for a common goal. I'm looking forward to the continued relationship as we move forward on our next investigation."
July 14, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
www.justice.gov/usao/md MARCIA MURPHY at (410) 209-4885
COCAINE
DEALER IN ST. MARY’S COUNTY DRUG TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY
SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON
Greenbelt,
Maryland – 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 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; 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.
