California Cocaine Dealer Sentenced To 24 Years In Prison

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Fontana, Calif., has been sentenced in federal court to 292 months imprisonment and five years supervised release on his conviction of federal drug and money laundering laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Dwayne Thompson, a/k/a D, a/k/a White Chocolate, 47.

According to information presented to the court, from 2001 and continuing until July 2007, Thompson was responsible for distributing more than 500 kilograms of cocaine in Detroit, Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; Atlanta, Georgia; and in the Pittsburgh region. The organization was referred to locally as the "Cali Connect" because a number of its member came from California. Thompson used his drug proceeds to purchase high-end luxury automobiles; a failed night club venture; and a speed boat with an estimated value of $225,000. Thompson's boat and cars have been forfeited to the government.

Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Ivory prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Pasadena Police Department and the Texas State Highway Patrol for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Thompson.