News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2007
Contact: Ruth Porter-Whipple
Number: 404-893-7128

Judge Hands Out Over 20 Year Sentence

FEB 27 -- COLUMBUS – On February 21, 2007, United States District Court Judge Clay Land sentenced Torrance “Bookie” HILL, 31 years of age, of Columbus, Georgia to a term of 294 months imprisonment for HILL’s involvement in a cocaine and marijuana distribution organization.

Torrance HILL had earlier pled guilty to a four count information alleging two counts of conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, one count of distribution of more than 50 grams of crack cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana.

HILL’S arrest and conviction were the culmination of an approximate two year investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Metro Task Force, According to terms stipulated at sentencing, HILL participated in a series of five cocaine sales to an informant which occurred between March 3, 2005 and April 26, 2005. As a result of these sales, agents obtained search warrants which led to the recovery of approximately 210 kilograms of cocaine and approximately 840 kilograms of marijuana.

After HILL’S release on bond, he continued to direct the distribution of cocaine and the collection of money resulting from this distribution. Between September 2005 and February 2006, the defendant was responsible for the distribution of at least 100 additional kilograms of cocaine and the collection of at least one million dollars in illegal proceeds. At the time of his February 7, 2006 arrest, HILL possessed a ledger that indicated he was owed in excess of two million dollars for distributed cocaine. During the life of the investigation, seizures in the case included a total of 286 kilograms of cocaine, , 2,564 pounds of marijuana and over $750,000.00 in U.S. Currency.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mel Hyde. Any questions concerning this matter should be directed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478)621-2602.