AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

MAY 4, 2006

BALTIMORE MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN DRUG CONSPIRACY

BALTIMORE, Maryland - James Wright, age 32, of Baltimore was sentenced today to 20 years in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack), announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Wright was convicted by a federal jury on September 14, 2005.

According to testimony at trial, on September 14, 2004, a law enforcement confidential informant (CI) contacted Wright to purchase 2 ounces of crack. Wright arranged to meet the CI in the 2200 block of East Madison Street in Baltimore. The CI met Wright and Wright’s co-conspirator, Dante Couther, and all three traveled to the 7800 block of Hillsway Road in Baltimore County, Maryland. The CI gave $2000, provided by law enforcement, to Dante Couther, who exited the vehicle, and returned ten minutes later with approximately 55 grams of crack. Couther gave the crack to Wright, who in turn handed it to the CI.

Dante Couther pled guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison on November 22, 2005.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration and Baltimore City Police Department for their investigative work and praised Assistant United States Attorney James T. Wallner, who prosecuted the case.