NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

BRADLEY J. SCHLOZMAN

Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ● (816) 426-4220 ● 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 ● Kansas City, MO 64106

www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html

FEBRUARY 7, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KC MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR

CRACK COCAINE, ILLEGAL FIREARM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Bradley J. Schlozman, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a crack cocaine conspiracy and illegally possessing a firearm.

Damien A. Carter, 20, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 15 years and one month in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Carter to forfeit to the government $3,292 that had been seized by law enforcement officers, which represents proceeds from drug sales.

On April 12, 2006, Carter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Carter admitted that he conspired with others to possess crack cocaine from January through May 15, 2005, in Jackson County, Mo. The amount of crack cocaine recovered from Carter during this time totaled 80.48 grams. During the conspiracy, Carter possessed a loaded Hi-Point 9 mm semi-automatic pistol.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David DeTar Newbert. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

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