Part of 19 Member Cocaine and Crack Distribution Network
Donna Faulkner, age 39, of Port Republic, Maryland, was sentenced yesterday to 68 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 50 grams of crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Thomas Swinney, age 39, of Hughesville, Maryland to 57 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. On Friday, July 21, 2006 Judge Messitte sentenced Wolfgang Gadson, age 51, of Brandywine, Maryland to 87 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
Faulkner, Swinney and Gadson were co-conspirators of Lester Fletcher, age 51, who headed a 19 member drug organization that operated in Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Charles and Calvert counties.
According to the statements of fact presented at their guilty pleas, Donna Faulkner and Wolfgang Gadson worked for the Lester Fletcher drug organization, beginning in January 2003 and January 2004, respectively. Faulkner resided at 9100 D’Arcy Road and 8600 Pennsylvania Avenue, which were both narcotics distribution locations for the Fletcher organization. Gadson worked principally out of 9100 D’Arcy Road. Faulkner and Gadson sold powder and crack cocaine, assisted in the preparation of crack cocaine, and assisted in the distribution and delivery of both powder and crack cocaine. They were directly involved in the distribution of between 5 and 15 kilos of powder cocaine. Faulkner also distributed between 50 and 150 grams of crack cocaine.
According to the statement of facts presented at Thomas Swinney’s guilty plea, Swinney began working as a narcotics supplier for the Fletcher drug organization in January 2003. On March 6, 2005, Swinney was overheard on Lester Fletcher’s cell phone indicating that he was on his way to meet with Fletcher. Shortly thereafter, Prince George’s County Police observed Swinney driving to the location of the meeting and stopped his vehicle. After giving law enforcement his driver’s license and vehicle registration, Swinney fled in his vehicle, throwing two packages containing two kilograms of powder cocaine out of the window as he drove away. Police captured Swinney and recovered the drugs.
Lester Fletcher was sentenced to life in prison on July 20th, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine; money laundering conspiracy; and money laundering. Fifteen other co-defendants have pled guilty and have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing dates.