FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
MAY 11, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE OVER 350 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA
$400,000 of Marijuana Found In His Truck
BALTIMORE, Maryland - U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Chester Griffiths, age 44, of Baltimore today to 15 years in prison followed by eight years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to the plea agreement, on June 15, 2006, a law enforcement officer observed Griffiths’ vehicle at a truck stop in Howard County, Maryland. The officer discovered that the vehicle’s registration was suspended and that Griffiths’ driver’s license had expired. The officer stopped the vehicle and arrested Griffiths after noticing a strong smell of marijuana. Approximately 157 kilograms (over 350 pounds) of marijuana with a street value of about $400,000 was seized from the vehicle, along with $1,820. Officers recovered an additional $2,324 and two scales from Griffiths’ home.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Howard County Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kwame J. Manley, who is prosecuting the case.