Former MPD Detective Sentenced to Prison on Money Laundering Charge Involving Purchases Made With Proceeds of Drug Conspiracy

            WASHINGTON – Stephanie Ellison, 51, a former Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective, was sentenced today to 15 months in prison on a money laundering charge stemming from the purchase and financing of two cars and a motorcycle with money that came from a drug conspiracy. In a related matter, Raymond Proctor, 47, was sentenced April 29, 2015, to a prison term of 63 months on drug conspiracy and money laundering charges.

            The sentences were announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr.; Charles E. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and Troy D. Berry, Sheriff of Charles County, Md.

            Ellison and Proctor pled guilty on March 31, 2015, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Ellison pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Proctor, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.  Both were sentenced by the Honorable James E. Boasberg.

            In addition to the prison term, Proctor was ordered to pay a money judgment of $47,835 as forfeiture for the money laundering conspiracy and $41,800 for the narcotics conspiracy. As part of her plea agreement, Ellison agreed to the forfeiture of her interest in various items of jewelry; $5,000 in cash found on Dec. 11, 2012, inside a safe at her residence; a 2006 Maserati automobile; a 2007 Harley Davidson Night Rod motorcycle; and a 2009 750LI BMW automobile, and entry of the forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $47,835.

            According to the proffers of evidence filed with the Court, in 2010 the ATF, the MPD and the Charles County Sheriff’s Department began this joint investigation.  During that investigation, Proctor sold a total of approximately 418 grams of heroin during several controlled purchases to multiple undercover agents in exchange for cash and export-only cigarettes.

            During the course of this narcotics conspiracy, Proctor and Ellison conspired to launder monetary instruments.  As part of this conspiracy, Proctor and Ellison purchased a 2006 Maserati, a 2007 Harley Davidson Night Rod, and a 2009 750LI BMW.  Proctor and Ellison purchased these vehicles by commingling Proctor’s illegal proceeds with funds obtained from Ellison.  Proctor and Ellison titled these vehicles in Ellison’s name; however, the vehicles were purchased for Proctor’s use.  These vehicles were purchased to conceal and disguise the nature, source, and ownership of the narcotics proceeds, and hide the true ownership of the vehicles.  According to the government’s evidence, Ellison knew that the property involved in these financial transactions represented the proceeds of some unlawful activity.     

            Ellison joined the MPD in 1986.  The guilty pleas include consent orders of forfeiture for a money judgment which represent the proceeds of the crimes.

            In announcing the sentences, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen, Special Agent in Charge Smith, Chief Lanier, and Sheriff Berry commended the actions of the ATF Special Agents, Metropolitan Police Department officers, and members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office who worked on the investigation and prosecution of this case.  They also commended the work of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Catherine O’Neal, Kim Hall, Teesha Tobias, and Rosalind Pressley; Legal Assistant LaToya Wade, and former Legal Assistant Priscilla Hutson.

            Finally, they expressed appreciation for the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karla-Dee Clark and Zia Faruqui, who investigated and prosecuted these cases.