Six anchorage drug dealers sentenced for crack cocaine conspiracy
Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that the last of six defendants was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage for conspiracy in relation to narcotics trafficking.
The ringleader of this drug-trafficking ring, Robert Joseph Campbell, 26, was sentenced to 84 months in prison by Senior United States District Judge H. Russel Holland. Judge Holland also imposed sentences on Todd Vincent Roberson, 20, who was sentenced to 27 months in prison; Mekayla Maraye Thorne, 33, sentenced to 24 months in prison; Amanda Marie Phillips, 23, sentenced to four months in prison; Randi Rayann Phillips, 25, sentenced to six weeks in prison; and, Jemaine Laray James, 19, was sentenced to eight months in prison.
According to information presented to the court by Special Assistant Attorney Erin White, Campbell led the crack cocaine distribution conspiracy from May 2009, to July 2010. Campbell made arrangements to sell the crack cocaine, and on one occasion, he personally delivered the crack cocaine to the buyer. On five other occasions, Campbell tasked other members of the conspiracy with the actual delivery of the drug. The total amount of crack cocaine distributed during the course of this conspiracy was 62.5 grams. Law enforcement has identified Campbell as a known member of the Mountain View Crip gang.
Judge Holland fashioned sentences to reflect the serious nature of the offenses and to deter similar crimes in the future. The Court also considered the criminal history of each defendant, as well as their individual involvement in the conspiracy. In finding that Campbell’s offense was more severe than that of his co-defendants, the Court noted his prior felony drug conviction and the fact that he took advantage of other people in order to commit his crimes. The Court found Campbell to be both a danger to himself and to others and, ultimately, fashioned a sentence to protect the community.
Ms. Loeffler commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case. Ms. White is one of two prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who are funded by the Municipality of Anchorage for the purpose of prosecuting gang-related and violent crime cases.
