FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

August 25, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

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

 

 

LEADERS OF BALTIMORE DRUG CONSPIRACY PLEAD GUILTY

 

BALTIMORE, Maryland - William “Billy” Wells, age 33, of Parkville, Maryland pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. On August 21, 2006 Wells’ co-defendant, brother Leonardo Wells, age 30, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to the same charge.

 

According to the statement of facts provided to the court as part of their plea agreements, from about December 2003 until February 2006, Leonardo Wells obtained kilogram quantities of cocaine from various sources, and distributed these quantities to wholesale customers. Some of these customers included individuals in Hagerstown, Maryland. On September 7, 2005, law enforcement followed Leonardo Wells when he went to meet one of his wholesale customers from Hagerstown. Leonardo became aware of law enforcement surveillance and conducted counter-surveillance maneuvers, eventually exiting his car near Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore City. A short time later, Leonardo informed the customer, “I had to throw it.”

 

In November 2005, two Hagerstown customers were arrested after leaving Billy Well’s home by law enforcement who recovered 420 grams of cocaine. Leonardo Wells was the contact to their sources of supply.

 

William and Leonardo Wells face a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment, with a five-year mandatory minimum sentence; a $2 million fine; and five years supervised release. U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz has scheduled sentencing for both William and Leonardo Wells on November 15, 2006.

 

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Baltimore City Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Wallner and Steve Levin, who are prosecuting the case.

 

 


This page last modified—August 25, 2006