FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
February
26, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CRACK COCAINE DEALER EXILED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Joseph Edwards, age 25, of Baltimore, today to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Judge Blake enhanced Edwards’ sentence upon finding that he was a career offender based on three previous convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III.
According to Edwards’ plea agreement, on January 14, 2009, members of the Baltimore Police Department patrolling the 2700 block of Miles Avenue in Baltimore, saw Joseph Edwards walking southbound on Miles Avenue. The officers knew there was an open arrest warrant for Edwards for first degree assault and a handgun violation related to a domestic dispute that occurred earlier in the day. Edwards was arrested and a subsequent search revealed a plastic baggie tied to Edwards’ penis, which contained 43 zip-lock baggies, each containing crack cocaine, for a total of 2.98 grams of crack cocaine.
Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra L. Dwyer, who prosecuted the case.