FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTAUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885

MAY 3, 2007

BALTIMORE DRUG DISTRIBUTOR SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Michael Wise, age 36, of Baltimore today to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Judge Bennett enhanced Wise’s sentence upon finding that he is a career offender based on his two prior convictions for serious drug felonies.

According to his guilty plea, on June 19, 2006 following several telephone calls and discussions between Wise and an undercover officer, Wise provided 10.1 grams of a mixture containing cocaine base to the officer in exchange for two Nextel SIM cards. The transaction took place at a playground near the intersection of Nevada and Alaska Streets in the city of Baltimore.

According to court documents, the above transaction was part of Wise’s participation as a lieutenant in a drug organization led by one of Baltimore’s most violent repeat offenders, Maurice Mouzon, that distributed large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, principally in the Westport area of Baltimore. Informants advised law enforcement that Mouzon and Wise used several homes on Westport Road to store the crack, including the residences of Wise’s sisters. A Baltimore City police officer observed Mouzon and Wise at the residences, and a hand-to-hand sale of drugs by Wise in the rear of one of the residences.

Mouzon, age 27, of the Cherry Hill section of Baltimore and a violent repeat offender, was sentenced yesterday to over 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office, Baltimore City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Gallagher, who prosecuted the case.