Three Co-defendants in Gilmor Homes Drug Distribution Conspiracy Each Sentenced to More than 13 Years in Prison

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Benson Everett Legg sentenced William Herring, age 68, of Baltimore, today to 160 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, in connection with a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and powder cocaine in locations throughout Baltimore, including the Gilmor Homes public housing complex. Yesterday, Judge Legg sentenced Jerome Powell, a/k/a “Nitty,” age 32, and Tony Collins, age 31, both of Baltimore, each to160 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, in the same conspiracy.

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.

According to their plea agreements, from January 2009 to June 2010, the defendants conspired with others to distribute cocaine and/or 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. Herring and Powell admitted that they were responsible for the distribution of between 280 and 840 grams of crack cocaine, and between five and 15 kilograms of cocaine. Collins admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of between 280 and 840 grams of crack cocaine.

Today Judge Legg also sentenced co-defendants Deon Strong, a/k/a “Baller,” age 27, and Jasmine Brunson, a/k/a “Gotti,” age 30, both of Baltimore, to 70 months and 80 months in prison, respectively, each followed by eight years of supervised release, and yesterday sentenced Romesh Vance, a/k/a “Ro,” age 22, of Baltimore, to 70 months in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release, for their roles in the conspiracy. Strong and Vance were responsible for the distribution of between two and 3.5 kilograms of cocaine and between 112 and 196 grams of crack cocaine. Brunson was responsible for the distribution of between 20 and 35 grams of crack cocaine and between 500 grams and two kilograms of cocaine.

All 22 defendants charged in the conspiracy have been convicted and to date, 19 of the 22 defendants, including those named above, 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 prosecuted the case.