UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ALICE H. MARTIN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: KAREN NARAMORE
	MARCH 23, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

BIRMINGHAM MAN SENTENCED TO  240 MONTHS FOR
DISRIBUTION OF CRACK COCAINE.

            BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA:  DEXTER HATTEN MURPHY, 50, of Birmingham,  was sentenced today in United States District Court to 240 months in prison for two counts of distribution of more than 50 grams of crack cocaine.
   
            On May 31, 2006, DEA Task Force Agents met with a confidential informant (C.I.) to make arrangements for a “buy” with MURPHY.  Later that afternoon, MURPHY drove up in a Lexus and met with the C.I. to make the drug transaction, which yielded a total of 144.8 grams of crack cocaine.   Within 3 months, DEA Task Force Agents again met with the C.I. to arrange another purchase from MURPHY.  Later that day, MURPHY met with the C.I. for another drug transaction, which yielded 131.2 grams of crack cocaine.  MURPHY had a prior drug conviction in 1995.

            MURPHY entered into a plea agreement on May 22, 2008.

            “We commend our law enforcement officers and partners for their perceptiveness and dedication to stopping the sale of illegal drugs in the State of Alabama,” stated United States Attorney, Alice H. Martin. 

            This matter was investigated by Agents with the Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force and was prosecuted by Joseph Montminy, Assistant United States Attorney, on behalf of the United States.               
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