Monday, May 2, 2016

TWO MEMBERS OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND DRUG TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY EACH SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Colbert Juan Jones, Jr., age 33, of St. Leonard, Maryland today to 10 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute powder cocaine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Chasanow also issued an order requiring Jones to forfeit over $20,000 in drug proceeds, two cars, two shotguns, and ammunition.

On April 29, 2016, Judge Chasanow sentenced co-conspirator Vincent Leo Fletcher, age 29, of Clinton, Maryland to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute powder and crack cocaine.

The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge Frank Riehl of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Acting Chief Stanley Johnson, of the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Prince George’s County Division; Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry; St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron; and Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans.

According to their plea agreements and other court documents, from January through July 2015, Jones and Fletcher conspired with Troy Taishon Swann, Antoine Dewayne Savoy, and James Devwan Pixley, to distribute cocaine. Jones obtained cocaine from Fletcher and other sources. Fletcher obtained two to 20 ounces of cocaine several times a month from Swann and other suppliers. Fletcher distributed the cocaine to his customers for further distribution, and used some of the powder cocaine to manufacture crack cocaine, which he also distributed. 

Jones sold cocaine to his customers, which included Savoy and Pixley. Jones often distributed the cocaine from the home of a female friend in Prince Frederick, Maryland, which Jones used as a stash house. Savoy and Pixley generally purchased cocaine from Jones several times a month and used at least half of that cocaine to manufacture crack cocaine, which they sold. On August 6, 2015, a search of Jones’ stash house in Prince Frederick recovered: approximately 100 grams of cocaine and drug processing paraphernalia, which Jones had attempted to hide inside an audio speaker in the basement of the residence; a 20 gauge shotgun; and 14 rounds of ammunition. A search of Jones’ residence on that same day recovered a 12 gauge shotgun and two boxes of ammunition, as well as $22,704 in cash, proceeds of Jones’ drug distribution. Jones had been previously convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Troy Taishon Swann, age 39, of Waldorf; Antoine Dewayne Savoy, age 35, of Lusby, Maryland; and James Devwan Pixley, age 25, of Waldorf, Maryland, have pleaded guilty to their participation in this drug trafficking conspiracy. In addition, Pixley admitted to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and Swann admitted to being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Pixley and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts his plea agreement Pixley will be sentenced to between 10 and 14 years in prison. Judge Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for Pixley on June 6, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. Judge Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for Savoy on June 27, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. and for Swann on July 11 2016 at 11:00 a.m.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the ATF, DEA, Prince George’s County Police Department, Maryland National Capital Park Police, Prince George’s County Division, and the Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert County Sheriffs’ Offices for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael T. Packard and Leah J. Bressack, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.