FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

September 15, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                       

MEMBER OF RICE DRUG ORGANIZATION SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS
FOR CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE HEROIN

Butler Appeared in the“Stop Snitching” Video

BALTIMORE, Maryland - George Butler, age 31, of Baltimore was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

Following a two year joint investigation by federal and local law enforcement agencies, Butler and 12 other defendants were indicted under seal on February 1, 2005 for crimes arising from their operation of a large, violent drug trafficking enterprise in Baltimore over a 10 year period from 1995 to February 2004.

In a statement of facts provided to the court on June 28, 2006 as part of his plea agreement, Butler admitted that from 2003 to January 2005, he conspired with others to distribute heroin. Butler and his co-conspirators distributed heroin and collected money at a variety of locations in the Northwest area of Baltimore City. Butler was a wholesale customer of the Rice Organization who distributed a kilogram of heroin in the Baltimore City area. During Butler’s involvement in the conspiracy, the organization distributed and possessed with intent to distribute more than 30 kilograms of heroin.

Eight other defendants have also pleaded guilty to cocaine or heroin conspiracy charges. Howard Rice, age 39, his brother Raeshio Rice, age 33, and Keenan Dorsey, age 40, all of Baltimore, are scheduled to go to trial on October 10, 2006. If convicted, the Rice brothers face a mandatory sentence of life in prison, and Dorsey faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Co-defendant Eric Hall, age 35, of Baltimore is scheduled to go to trial in October 2007 and if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of death. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $27 million.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore City Police Department, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the State’s Attorney’s Office for Baltimore City and the United States Attorney’s Office. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steve Levin and Jason Weinstein, who are prosecuting the case.

This page last modified—September 15, 2006