FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
July 7, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE HEROIN DEALER SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Michael Lewis, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 11 years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin. Judge Motz enhanced Lewis’ sentence upon finding that he is a career criminal based on three previous narcotics convictions.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III.
According to Lewis’ guilty plea, in May 2009 Baltimore Police detectives received information that Lewis was selling large amounts of heroin in Baltimore City. Investigation showed that Lewis used an address in the 2200 block of Louise Avenue, but paid the utilities at and address in the 6600 block of Pioneer Drive. Detectives learned that Lewis had recently traveled to New York, and they suspected he had obtained drugs there. While detectives watched the location on Pioneer Drive, they saw Lewis drive to a gas station where he met with co-defendant Kenard Joyner, who was in his vehicle. Joyner followed Lewis to another parking lot, where Lewis got out of his car and into Joyner’s vehicle. Detectives approached Joyner’s vehicle and saw Lewis placing a large amount of cash in his pocket. A drug sniffing canine was called to the scene and alerted to the presence of narcotics in Joyner’s vehicle. A search of the vehicle recovered 250 gelatin capsules of heroin, from the center console. A search warrant was subsequently executed at Lewis’ residence on Pioneer Drive and agents recovered more heroin, a digital scale and other drug paraphernalia. Agents seized a total of more than nine ounces of heroin, which was intended for distribution.
Kenard Joyner, age 35, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended Special Assistant United States Attorney Christine Celeste, a cross-designated Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney assigned to drug cases, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Purcell, who prosecuted the case.