FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

January 13, 2006  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

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

OCDETF: GLEN BURNIE MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR COCAINE TRAFFICKING AND GUN POSSESSION

BALTIMORE, Maryland - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announces that today United States District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Dexter Bert Tyson, a/k/a Bert Dexter Tyson, age 31, of Glen Burnie, Maryland to life in prison, plus five years in connection with his conviction by a federal jury on October 13, 2005 of: conspiracy to distribute cocaine base “crack” cocaine and cocaine hydrochloride “powder” cocaine; possession with intent to distribute crack and powder cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number; and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Evidence at the one week trial established that on January 9, 2003 Anne Arundel County narcotics detectives along with agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) searched Tyson’s apartment. The investigators found a quantity of crack cocaine and almost a half-kilogram of powder cocaine; drug paraphernalia, including scales capable of weighing kilograms of drugs; along with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number. Investigators also found almost $50,000 in cash in a shoe box under a bed. Tyson was arrested and a search of Tyson’s person and car revealed an additional $6,000. Tyson filed a claim for the money, but evidence at trial showed Tyson had not filed tax returns for 1999, 2000 and 2002.

Tyson was also convicted of possession of 109 grams of powder cocaine which he had concealed on his person when he arrived at the Anne Arundel County Police Department on January 21, 2003 to obtain personal property seized from him by the police on January 9, 2003. When he arrived at the police station the DEA had a warrant for his arrest. Tyson was searched incident to his arrest.

Tyson’s mandatory life sentence without parole was based on four prior felony drug convictions.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their investigative work in this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher J. Romano and Angela R. White, who prosecuted the case.