AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

January 18, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md

DRUG TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO OVER 11 YEARS FOR DEALING 52 GRAMS IN FORESTVILLE AREA

BALTIMORE, Maryland - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announces that today U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Edward Dean Geathers, age 26, of Clinton, Maryland to 136 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base.

According to the statement of facts presented to the court on April 25, 2005 at his guilty plea, Geathers used other individuals to broker drug transactions. For example, on September 3, 2003, a co-conspirator agreed to sell 31 grams of cocaine base to a confidential source in Forestville, Maryland. The co-conspirator took the cocaine base from Geathers and delivered it to the source. The source paid the co-conspirator for the drugs.

On September 15, 2003 the same confidential source contacted the co-conspirator and ordered another 31 grams of cocaine base. When the source arrived in the Forestville area, the co-conspirator entered his vehicle and instructed the source to drive to Just Tires located on Marlboro Pike in Forestville. Geathers entered the source’s vehicle and delivered the cocaine base. The source paid Geathers for the cocaine base. The actual total weight of the purchased drugs was 52 grams.

Geathers was previously convicted in Prince Georges County, Maryland of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in the same Forestville area and was on probation at the time he committed the current offense.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work, and commended Assistant United States Attorney Deborah A. Johnston, who prosecuted the case.