GREENBELT, Md. (May 18, 2009) - A federal grand jury indicted Wilson Lee Garrett, age 35, of Waldorf, Maryland, a legal assistant at the Department of Justice, for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. The indictment was returned on May 13, 2009 and unsealed Friday upon Garrett’s arrest.
According to the two count indictment, from mid-2006 through February 2007, Garrett conspired to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. The indictment further alleges that on March 18, 2009, Garrett attempted to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams of cocaine. The indictment also seeks to forfeit $250,000, the alleged proceeds of the conspiracy.
Garrett faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison for the conspiracy; and a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison for attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Garrett had his initial appearance in federal district court in Greenbelt today and has been detained pending a detention hearing scheduled on Monday, May 18, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Justice - Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their investigative work. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys Barbara Skalla and James A. Crowell IV, who are prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maryland