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AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

June 20, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

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

OCDETF: BALTIMORE MAN SENTENCED TO 135 MONTHS IN

WASHINGTON-BALTIMORE AREA DRUG TRAFFICKING CASE

GREENBELT, Maryland - Donnell E. Berry, age 37, of Baltimore, was sentenced today to 135 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus also ordered Berryto pay a $10,000 fine.

According to the statement of facts presented at his guilty plea on March 15, 2006, from at least April 2003 through June 2, 2004, Donnell Berry conspired with Luis Mangual and others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 15 to 50 kilograms or more of cocaine. Berry and Mangual were associates while serving prison sentences from prior convictions in the 1990's.

From April 10, 2003 through June 1, 2004, records showed 423 contacts between cellular telephones used by Berry and Mangual. Berry was repeatedly intercepted asking Mangual about pending shipments of cocaine.

On April 26, 2004, Mangual received a multi-kilogram shipment of cocaine. The next day he started to contact his customers, including Berry. Mangual advised Berry during the call that he had gone deep sea fishing and caught marlins. Berry replied in a follow-up call that the girl just had her fourth birthday, indicating that he wished to receive four kilograms of cocaine from Mangual. On June 2, 2004, agents arrested Berry at his home and recovered over $250,000, cellular phones and documents.

Mangual, age 45, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as 27 additional drug related offenses, including money laundering. Mangual’s sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2006.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Montgomery and Prince George’s 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—June 20, 2006