AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885

DECEMBER 12, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CRACK DEALER PLEADS GUILTY AND IS EXILED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Anthony Peaks, age 40, of Edgewood, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release after Peaks pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

According to his the statement of facts presented to the court at today’s guilty plea, on April 20, 2007, law enforcement agents were conducting surveillance in the area of the Gentleman's Gold Club, 5801 Pulaski Highway, Baltimore, Maryland, where they observed Peaks, operating a white Lexus LS430 sedan, arrive in the parking area of the Gentleman's Gold Club and enter a white Ford Econoline van, parked nearby. After seeing the officers, Peaks got out of the van and began to walk toward his white Lexus. Agents then approached the vehicles, and identified themselves as law enforcement officers. After having identified the operator of the white Lexus sedan as Peaks, agents requested a K-9 unit because they were aware that Peaks had an extensive criminal history for narcotics trafficking and had information that he was distributing large amounts of cocaine in the Baltimore area.

Shortly thereafter, the K-9 alerted positively to the presence of narcotics in the Lexus. Agents found 7 clear plastic bags containing 84.2 grams of crack cocaine in the eyeglass holder above the rearview mirror.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy, the Baltimore City Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorney Christopher J. Romano who prosecuted the case.