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AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885
APRIL 6, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCDETF: TWO SENTENCED IN WASHINGTON-BALTIMORE AREA
DRUG TRAFFICKING CASE
Heroin and Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to Over 31 Years in Prison
GREENBELT, Maryland - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announces that today U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced John Albert Martin, Jr., age 51, of Takoma Park to 375 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for his conviction by a federal jury of conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, five kilograms or more of cocaine, 50 grams or more of cocaine base and use of a telephone in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Judge Titus also sentenced co-defendant Donna Conzuella Johnson, age 48, of Landover, Maryland to 135 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for her conviction on charges of conspiracy to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute, one kilogram or more of heroin, and interstate travel to facilitate drug trafficking.
Martin and Johnson, along with Craig Scott, age 42 of Baltimore, were convicted in the first of a series of trials of the 25 defendants charged in June 2004, with the operation of a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking organization which distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, cocaine base and heroin in the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan area. Fifteen defendants have pled guilty and the remaining defendants are scheduled for trial on April 18, 2006 and June 6, 2006. Scott was convicted of conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams but less than 1 kilogram of heroin, use of a telephone in furtherance of the drug conspiracy and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Scott’s sentencing is scheduled for April 28, 2006 and he faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine.
The testimony at trial established that Martin was involved in the distribution of cocaine, cocaine base commonly referred to as crack and heroin from at least 1997 until his arrest on June 1, 2004. According to testimony at trial, from March 2004 through June 2, 2004, government agents intercepted telephone calls in which Martin: requested drugs from a co-defendant; discussed the need to move their drugs from a residence to Paula’s School of Performing Arts (PSPA), a business front for drug trafficking activities, as a result of neighborhood complaints about the activity at the residence; and discussed the co-defendant’s observation of an undercover police surveillance officer near the residence. Martin was also intercepted speaking with several individuals concerning their purchase of drugs from him. Martin would also advise co-conspirators where to meet and whether any drugs were available. On one occasion, a co-defendant was intercepted ordering 12 grams of heroin for Martin from another co-defendant who was a heroin source.
On June 1, 2004, search warrants were executed at Martin’s residence, PSPA and other locations. Martin was arrested at the residence and seven grams of cocaine and seven grams of heroin were recovered from a shaving kit belonging to Martin. The following items were also recovered from the residence: six grams of crack cocaine, 19.06 grams of cocaine, 7.85 grams of heroin and digital scales. During the execution of the search warrant at PSPA, agents recovered scales, various drug paraphernalia, and 337 grams of crack cocaine, 18 grams of heroin and 352 grams of cocaine.
Also according to trial testimony, on April 23, 2004 agents surveilled Johnson and Gwendolyn Levi, age 60, of Elkridge, Maryland, travel from Maryland to New York. Levi delivered approximately $250,000 to an individual who gave Levi a gift wrapped box. Early on April 24, 2004 Maryland State Police stopped the vehicle Johnson was driving and recovered 2.3 kilograms of heroin from the gift wrapped package. Johnson and Levi were arrested. According to trial evidence, Johnson was involved in 13 trips to New York to pick up a total of 19.174 kilograms.
Levi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and is scheduled to be sentenced during the summer of 2006. She faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $4,000,000 fine.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Montgomery and Prince Georges County Police Departments who were the primary investigative agencies for their work in this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case. Mr. Rosenstein also praised Assistant United States Attorneys Deborah A. Johnston and Bonnie S. Greenberg, who are prosecuting the case.
This page last modified—April 7, 2006