APR 17 -- SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams, announced today that a federal jury convicted ANTHONY EUGENE WASHINGTON, 60, of Sacramento, of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and one count of distribution of cocaine.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sacramento Area Narcotic Enforcement Task Force, comprised of agents from federal, state, and local narcotics enforcement agencies.

According to Assistant United States Attorneys Philip A. Ferrari and Jean M. Hobler, who are prosecuting the case, WASHINGTON conspired with DOUGLAS WASHINGTON FROST to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine from January 13 to March 18, 2006. WASHINGTON further distributed cocaine on May 18, 2006. FROST pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge in 2006, and is currently serving his sentence.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the conspiracy charge is life, a fine of $4 million, or both. For the distribution charge, the maximum penalty under federal law is 20 years, a $250,000 fine, or both. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables and any applicable statutory sentencing factors.

The sentencing before United States District Court Judge Morrison C. England is scheduled for July 9, 2009.

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