Defendant in Gilmor Homes Drug Distribution Conspiracy Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
Co-Defendant Also Sentenced
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Benson Everett Legg sentenced Roger Ford, a/k/a “Tink,” “Tavon” and “T,” age 31, of Baltimore, today to 15 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, in connection with a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and powder cocaine in the Gilmor Homes public housing complex in Baltimore. Judge Legg sentenced co-defendant Tiffany Butler, a/k/a “Slinky,” age 30, of Baltimore to five years in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III.; and Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department.
“Gilmore Homes citizens deserve to live without the fear and intimidation inflicted by drug organizations,” stated Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Ava A. Cooper-Davis. “Today’s sentencing of Roger Ford and Tiffany Butler should send a strong message to other individuals engaged in drug trafficking that the DEA along with the Baltimore Police will vigorously pursue criminals like Mr. Ford and Ms. Butler and lock up individuals engaged in such illegal conduct. This investigation is an example of the continued commitment of law enforcement to get drug traffickers out of our communities,” added Cooper-Davis.
According to their plea agreements, from January 2009 to June 2010, the defendants conspired with others to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine throughout Baltimore, including the Gilmor Homes Housing Projects, a public housing project owned by the City of Baltimore. During the investigation, law enforcement overheard the defendants and their co-conspirators discussing their drug activities on their cell phones. The defendants sold crack and cocaine, and collected money from drug customers. Ford, who also possessed a gun in connection with the drug trafficking, is responsible for the distribution of between 280 and 840 grams of crack cocaine, and between five and 15 kilograms of cocaine. Butler is responsible for the distribution of between 28 and 280 grams of crack cocaine and 500 grams or more of cocaine.
All 22 defendants charged in the conspiracy have been convicted and nine defendants, including Ford and Butler, have been sentenced to between three and 15 years in prison for their participation in the conspiracy.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the DEA, Baltimore City Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorneys LaRae Everett and Tony Gioia for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein commended Special Assistant United States Attorney Traci Robinson, a cross-designated Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney assigned to Exile cases, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Romano, who are prosecuting the case.
