FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
December 3, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG TRAFFICKING
Baltimore, Maryland - Philip Winkfield, age 21, of Baltimore pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute heroin, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to his guilty plea, on April 25, 2008 the Baltimore DEA was alerted by a DEA agent from Providence, Rhode Island that a package suspected to contain illegal drugs was to be delivered that day to Winkfield’s residence in Baltimore. Surveillance was set up and later that afternoon, the package arrived at the residence. Upon the execution of a search warrant of the residence, agents and officers seized 180 grams of cocaine powder; 157 grams of heroin; over six pounds of marijuana; $8,000; five loaded firearms including two semi-automatic pistols, two shotguns and a semi-automatic assault rifle; a bullet resistant vest; a digital scale; cutting agents; and a drug ledger. Winkfield admits that he possessed the heroin with the intent to distribute it and that one or more of the firearms was used in furtherance of the crime.
Winkfield faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz scheduled sentencing for January 23, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Winkfield is detained and is scheduled to have a detention hearing on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner in U.S. District Court, 101 W. Lombard Street in Baltimore.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy and Assistant State’s Attorney Tony Gioia, the Baltimore Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorney George J. Hazel, who is prosecuting the case.