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Department of Justice Acting United States Attorney Candace G. Hill Contact: Dawn Masden |
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June 23, 2009
LOUISVILLE MAN PLEADS TO MULTI-KILOGRAM COCAINE CONSPIRACY
LOUISVILLE, KY - Dennis David Rice, age 30, of Louisville, Kentucky, pled guilty on June 22, 2009 to his participation in a conspiracy to attempt to possess and distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, Acting U.S. Attorney Candace G. Hill of the Western District of Kentucky announced today.
Pursuant to a plea agreement, Rice admitted that between February 2008 and September 23, 2008, in the Western District of Kentucky, Jefferson County, that he and the co-defendant, Anterus Lamont Martin, aided and abetted by each other and others, engaged in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Rice admitted that during the period of the Indictment he was responsible for the distribution of between five and fifteen kilograms of cocaine. On January 30, 2008, Rice was stopped for a traffic violation by Louisville Metro Police and $46,915 was confiscated from his person and the vehicle and thereafter forfeited. Rice admitted that the money was the proceeds of previous cocaine sales. Rice, along with others, used a residence located in Louisville, Kentucky as a "stash" house to run their drug distribution operation. On September 23, 2008, Special Agents of DEA recovered from that residence approximately 1 kilogram of cocaine; a Smith & Wesson .45 caliber Pistol, Model SW99; a FEG 9mm Pistol, Model P9R; and a Bryco Arms 9mm Pistol, Model Jennings Nine; over $85,000 cash; and mail packaging materials and drug paraphernalia, including vacuum sealers, scales, a money counter, used plastic kilo wrappers and other items indicative of a substantial drug mailing operation.
In the event of a conviction the maximum potential penalties are life imprisonment, a $4,000,000 fine, and supervised release for a period up to life; and the minimum potential penalties are 10 years’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal judicial system.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mac Shannon, and it was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Rice is scheduled to be sentenced before the Honorable Judge Jennifer B. Coffman on September 21, 2009, at 11:00 a.m., in Louisville, Kentucky. Martin remains scheduled for trial on August 18, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
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