Baltimore Heroin Dealer Sentenced to Almost 22 Years in Federal Prison

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced James Thomas Brice, age 38, of Baltimore today to 262 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute heroin, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Judge Quarles enhanced Brice’s sentence upon finding that he is a career offender based on six prior convictions for drug trafficking crimes.

According to the guilty plea, from February through June 2007 law enforcement overheard Brice on his cell phone arranging wholesale distributions of heroin. Brice controlled the operation of a street-level heroin distribution shop. He obtained bulk quantities of heroin from various suppliers, including James Jones, a/k/a Fats; James Henderson, a/k/a Mackey; Tyree Gregory; and Gerald Day through his sister Robin Day, and then distributed the heroin to customers through subordinates.

Jones, age 38; Henderson, age 39; Gregory, age 43; Gerald Day, age 41; and Robin Day, age 38, all of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to related charges. Jones, Henderson and Gerald Day were sentenced to 97 months, 60 months and 115 months in prison, respectively. Gregory and Robin Day were sentenced to 78 months and 60 months, respectively.

Prosecutors Albert Peisinger, MiaBeth Marosy and Christine Siemek of the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, detectives in the Baltimore City Police Department and Special Agents in the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated and supervised the 6-month state wire-tap investigation known as “Operation Fowl Play” related to this case. Seven defendants have pleaded guilty to their role in the conspiracy in Baltimore City Circuit Court.

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 U.S. Attorney James T. Wallner, who prosecuted the case.