Baltimore Man Exiled to 40 Years in Prison after Being Convicted by a Federal Jury on Gun and Drug Charges
U.S. Attorney Maintains that Career Criminals Cannot be Deterred
by Convictions that Carry no Jail Time
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Lance Walker, age 29, of Baltimore today to 40 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute more than 150 grams of crack cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and cocaine; use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Judge Quarles enhanced Walker’s sentence upon finding that he was an armed career criminal based on five previous felony drug convictions and a felony handgun conviction. A federal jury convicted Walker on September 17, 2008.
“Lance Walker is a career criminal who obviously cannot be deterred by criminal convictions that carry no real jail time,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Thanks to this federal conviction, Lance Walker will be exiled for 40 years in federal prison, where he will not be able to deal drugs and promote violence on the streets of Baltimore.”
According to the evidence presented at his three day trial, on January 16, 2007, Walker was arrested after discarding four plastic bags containing 122.05 grams of 63% pure crack cocaine and four additional plastic bags containing 28.16 grams of 73% pure crack cocaine. Witnesses testified that in May 2007, Walker and another person were arrested in Walker’s car with two clear zip lock bags containing 891 grams of marijuana. In December 2007, Walker was arrested on an outstanding state warrant and law enforcement seized a loaded gun hidden in the sun roof of Walker’s car; 206 grams of 81% pure cocaine; 5.52 grams of heroin and three zip lock bags containing a total of 32 grams of marijuana. Tally sheets showing suspected drug sales were discovered in the automobile and during a later search of Walker’s residence. Also found in the residence was another loaded firearm and a closed circuit camera positioned in a window of the residence which captured the movements of individuals on the street in front of the residence.
Walker is scheduled to go to trial in Baltimore City Circuit Court on February 10, 2009, on the charge of first degree murder for an alleged drug-related killing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy and Assistant State’s Attorney Theresa Shaffer, the Baltimore Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys Debra L. Dwyer and Bryan Giblin, who prosecuted the case.
