Fugitive Found Guilty To Possessing More Than A Kilogram Of Cocaine And Failure To Appear

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury today found Barrington Richards (36, Lauderhill) guilty of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and failure to appear after being released on bond. He faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison on the drug charge and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for the failure to appear violation. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on January 30, 2004, troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol stopped Richards on the Florida Turnpike in Osceola County for a traffic violation.  During the traffic stop, a narcotics dog detected drugs in the vehicle. The troopers then searched the vehicle and located approximately one and a half kilograms of cocaine hidden in the trunk. 

An indictment was returned in the Middle District of Florida in March 2004. Richards was arrested in the Southern District of Florida and made his initial appearance in federal court in Miami. He posted bond but then then failed to appear for further hearings in federal court in Orlando.  He remained at large until being arrested in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, on November 19, 2015.  

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florida Highway Patrol. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent S. Chiu.