Group Charged With Planning To Rob Drug Dealer
PHILADELPHIA - An indictment was returned today charging a group of alleged drug dealers in a conspiracy to commit a home invasion robbery against another alleged drug dealer in Philadelphia. Charged are Robert Lamar Whitfield, 32, Najee Murray, 32, Marlon Graham, 21, Lafayette Rawls, 24, Jamie Dales, 31, Kenneth Parnell, 26, Kareem Long, 22, and Frank Thompson, 34, all of Philadelphia. According to the indictment, beginning June 13, 2012, the defendants put in motion a plan to steal cocaine and drug proceeds from the home of another drug dealer and attempted to carry out their plan on July 18, 2012. The plan was interrupted by law enforcement.
The defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, attempted possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and a drug trafficking crime. In addition, Dales, Long and Thompson are charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
If convicted of all charges, the defendants face a maximum of life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years imprisonment. The defendants each also face five years supervised release, a $20,750,000 fine, and a $500 special assessment. In addition, Dales, Long and Thompson each face an additional $250,000 fine and an additional $100 special assessment.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney V. Paige Pratter.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525
