Maryland Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug Charge, Admits Role In A Network That Distributed Cocaine And Heroin-Arrest Followed DEA Investigation-

     WASHINGTON – Herman Curtis Malone, 45, of Upper Marlboro, Md., pled guilty today to a federal drug offense for his role in a network that distributed substantial quantities of cocaine and heroin in the Washington, D.C. area.

     The guilty plea, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was announced by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Karl C. Colder,Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

     Malone pled guilty to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin.  The charge carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, and under the terms of the plea deal, the defendant may be sentenced to as many as ten years in prison.  Given current federal sentencing guidelines, Malone faces an expected guideline range of 108 months to 120 months in prison as well as potential financial penalties.  As part of the plea agreement, Malone must pay a forfeiture money judgment of $150,000.

     The Honorable Ellen S. Huvelle scheduled sentencing for May 28, 2014.

     Malone, who helped run youth basketball programs, had been convicted of a narcotics offense during the 1990s in Prince George’s County, Md.  He was arrested on the current offenses on Aug. 9, 2013, following a DEA Group-43 Cross-Border-Task-Force investigation.

     Two others have recently pled guilty to charges in the case. Clarence Redd, 34, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty to a charge of distribution of heroin that took place in August of 2012. Derico Williams, 36, of Seat Pleasant, Md., pled guilty to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Both men are awaiting sentencing. A fourth defendant is awaiting trial.

     According to the government’s evidence, Malone himself conspired with others from August 2012 to August 2013 to distribute cocaine and heroin in the Washington, D.C. area.  Malone acknowledged that as part of the conspiracy he was responsible for at least five kilograms of cocaine and at least 100 grams of heroin. 

     On Aug. 9, 2013, the DEA found a loaded .40-caliber handgun in the upstairs bedroom of Malone’s home in Upper Marlboro.  Downstairs in the basement, agents found approximately one kilogram of cocaine and approximately 84 grams of heroin; a bag of .40-caliber ammunition; and cocaine residue in a sink and trash can.  Malone, as someone who had been previously convicted in 1991 of a felony offense for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in Prince George’s County, Maryland, was not lawfully able to possess a firearm.

     “More than 20 years after he was first convicted of dealing cocaine, Curtis Malone returned to a life of drug trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Machen.  “He was perceived as a role model for our young people, but in truth he peddled heroin and cocaine and illegally possessed a firearm.  Malone now faces a lengthy prison sentence that will send a clear message to the young men he sought to influence: joining the world of guns and drugs is a sure-fire way to ruin your future.”

     In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen and Special Agent in Charge Colder commended the work of those who investigated the case for the DEA. They also expressed appreciation to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Maryland State Police, and the Maryland Park Police. Assistance was provided by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).

     U.S. Attorney Machen and Special Agent in Charge Colder also acknowledged the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Rommel Pachoca, Starla Stolk, Candace Battle, Teesha Tobias, Regan Gibson, Kim Hall and Mary Downing; former Paralegal Specialist Jeremy Stoller; Legal Assistants Jessica Moffatt, Tammy Scott, Latoya Wade, and Diane Brashears, and former Legal Assistant Niya Attucks. They recognized the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allessandra Stewart, Zia Faruqui, and Arvind K. Lal, of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section. Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen J. Gripkey, Darlene M. Soltys, and Nihar R. Mohanty, as well as former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Zamarin, of the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Section, who investigated and prosecuted the case.