BIRMINGHAM – A federal judge today sentenced a Birmingham man to 25 years in prison for his role in a five-year conspiracy to distribute crack and powder cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Clay A. Morris.

U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor sentenced BRIAN KEITH STEELE, 44, on charges including conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine, several instances of distribution of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony.

A federal grand jury in March indicted Steele and three others in the drug conspiracy. Steele pleaded guilty to all charges against him in August. He also consented to forfeit $250,000, which represents the proceeds of his drug trafficking activities. Evidence in the case proved that Steele was the drug ring’s source of supply for cocaine.

“The success of this prosecution was due in large measure to the Drug Enforcement Administration agents who relentlessly pursued this investigation,” Vance said. “The sentence imposed was fair and recognized the seriousness of the impact of cocaine on our community.”

The DEA investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory R. Dimler prosecuted.

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