AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

November 22, 2005

BALTIMORE MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

BALTIMORE, Maryland - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announces that today U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Dante Couther, age 31, of Baltimore, to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base.

According to the statement of facts presented to the court on September 7, 2005 as part of the plea agreement, on September 14, 2004 co-conspirator James Wright contacted Couther about the purchase of two ounces of cocaine base (crack). Couther then met Wright, who was unknowingly in the company of a law enforcement registered confidential informant (CI). Wright introduced Couther to the CI, who inquired about the purchase of the crack. The CI drove Couther and Wright to the 7800 block of Hillsway Road in Baltimore County. The CI gave $2000, provided by law enforcement, to Couther who exited the vehicle. Approximately ten minutes later, Couther returned to the vehicle and handed 55 grams of cocaine base to Wright, who in turn handed the cocaine base to the CI.

On September 14, 2005 a federal jury convicted Wright of conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base. Wright faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Wright is scheduled to be sentenced on January 26, 2006.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration for their investigative work. Mr. Rosenstein commended Special Assistant United States Attorney James Wallner, who prosecuted the case.