AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

December 22, 2006

THREE BROTHERS SENTENCED IN BALTIMORE DRUG CONSPIRACY

BALTIMORE, Maryland - William “Billy” Wells, age 33, of Parkville, Maryland was sentenced today to 6 years in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. On December 19, 2006 Wells’ brothers, co-defendants Leonardo Wells, age 30, of Baltimore, and Anthony Parker, age 39, of Hagerstown, were sentenced to 108 months and 60 months in prison, respectively, on the same charge.

According to the statements of facts provided to the court as part of their plea agreements, from about December 2003 until February 2006, Leonardo Wells distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine to wholesale customers, including individuals in Hagerstown, Maryland. On September 7, 2005, law enforcement followed Leonardo Wells when he met with one of his wholesale customers from Hagerstown. Leonardo became aware of law enforcement surveillance and eventually exited his car near Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore City. A short time later, Leonardo informed the customer, “I had to throw it.”

Parker supplied cocaine to individuals in Hagerstown, Maryland. Parker’s sources of supply were his two brothers, Leonardo and Billy Wells. In November 2005, Parker and another co-conspirator traveled to Billy Wells’ residence to obtain cocaine. Once inside, the other man paid Billy Wells and after counting the money, Wells left the residence for a brief period, returned and provided cocaine in three separate bags. Law enforcement arrested Parker and the other man after they left the residence and recovered 420 grams of cocaine. United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Baltimore City Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Wallner and Steve Levin, who are prosecuting the case.