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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
May 4 , 2009
12-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE A SIGN OF SUCCESS FOR TOPEKA VIOLENT CRIMES TASK FORCE
TOPEKA, KAN. – Andre Graham, 46, Topeka, has been sentenced to 144 months in federal prison on gun and drug charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Marietta Parker said today. The case is one of a series of successful prosecutions based on investigations by the ATF’s Topeka Violent Crimes Task Force.
In June 2008, Graham pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. In his plea, he admitted that in Aug. 2006 he was taped selling crack cocaine to an undercover agent. Later that month, investigators served a search warrant at Graham’s home, where they seized a firearm, crack cocaine and cash. Graham told investigators he had purchased the firearm to protect himself after robbers broke into his home demanding money and drugs.
Graham’s case was one of more than a dozen separate indictments unsealed in May 2007 that were based on investigations by the ATF’s Topeka Violent Crime Task Force. The task force includes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Topeka Police Department, The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department and The Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office.
Other defendants Task Force cases unsealed in May 2007 include:
– Tramale C. Anderson, who was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.
– Pearson Carter, who was sentenced to 60 months.
– Rasheem Grover, who was sentenced to 15 months.
– Tiffany C.Haigler, who was sentenced to 41 months.
– Frederick D. Phelps, Jr., who was sentenced to 151 months.
– Marco A. Solis, who was sentenced to 24 months.
– David E. Robinson, who was sentenced to 33 months.
– Wallace L. Scott, who was sentenced to 41 months.
– Ronnie G. Maples, who was sentenced to 46 months.
– Ruben A. Castro, who was sentenced to 80 months.
– Antwon D. Walker, who was sentenced to 57 months.
– Ismael Garcia, who was sentenced to 15 months.
– John L. Price, who was sentenced to 75 months.
– Brent A. Corwin, who was sentenced to 51 months.
Parker commended the agencies that are members of the ATF Violent Crimes Task Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot for their work on the case.
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