August 3, 2009

BROOKLYN MAN SENTENCED TO 60 MONTHS IN CRACK CASE

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, stated that Kenny Walters, 26, from Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced on July 28, 2009 to a 60-month term in federal prison after his guilty plea to charges that he possessed with intent to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” cocaine. United States District Judge J. Garvan Murtha also sentenced Walters to four years of supervised release.

According to court records, on February 19, 2009, detectives from the Rutland Police Department executed a search warrant at an apartment on State Street in Rutland, where Walters and his co-defendant, Rondell Morrison, were residing. Inside the apartment, officers found approximately 25 grams of crack cocaine, a digital scale, and other evidence of drug dealing. Morrison had hidden approximately 16 grams of the crack in his mouth. After his arrest, Walters admitted to officers that he had made previous trips from New York to Rutland. Walters’ criminal record includes a 2003 felony weapons conviction in New York and a 2007 misdemeanor assault conviction, also in New York.

On April 7, 2009, Morrison pled guilty to a single-count indictment charging him with possessing with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of crack. Under the plea agreement, the parties agreed that a 60-month prison term was the appropriate sentence. Judge Murtha accepted that agreement during the sentencing hearing. Also on July 28, 2009, Judge Murtha sentenced Walters’ co-defendant, Rondell Morrison, to a time-served prison sentence. Morrison had served approximately 5 months in prison as a result of his involvement in the offense.

Acting United States Attorney Paul J. Van de Graaf commended the Rutland Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Agency for their hard work on this matter. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Timothy C. Doherty, Jr. The defendant is represented by Barry Griffith of the Rutland law firm Griffith & Lundeen.