FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
May 23, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LARGO DRUG TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS IN PRISON
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Tracy A. Alston, age 35, of Largo, Maryland, today to nine years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute cocaine base. Judge Bennett enhanced Alston’s sentence upon determining that Alston is a career offender based on four previous drug convictions and for obstructing justice.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosen stein and Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division.
“The people of Maryland should be able to feel safe in their communities and live their lives without the fear of drug related violence. The removal of Mr. Alston from the streets will make them safer,” stated Drug Enforcement Special Agent in Charge, Ava A. Cooper-Davis. “Mr. Alston is a violent career criminal, who was willing to resort to witness intimidation to avoid going to prison again. Fortunately, he was unable to do so, and justice has been served.”
According to Alston’s guilty plea, on February 15, March 22 and June 4, 2007, Alston sold, or arranged for the sale of, cocaine base to an informant working with the DEA in Frederick, Maryland. When Alston arrived at the location of the meeting arranged for June 4, agents arrested Alston in his car and seized 214 grams of cocaine base, a loaded revolver and $6,400.
After Alston was indicted and while he was incarcerated pending trial, Alston sent a letter intended for an associate which was intercepted by law enforcement officers. Alston stated in the letter his belief that if the informant, whom he called the “Rat,” did not “show,” that he would be able to beat the charges against him. Alston further stated, “Get your brother to send the reinforcements at the rat for me.” “Tell your brother to handle that, and my word is good on getting 5,000 to them.” In this letter, Alston provided the informant’s full name and address. Alston admits this his letter was an attempt to obstruct justice by preventing the testimony of the informant.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA for its work in the investigation and thanked Assistant United States Attorney Robert Harding, who prosecuted the case.