Anchorage Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty to Crack Distribution

ANCHORAGE, AK—United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that on November 9, 2009, Cassero Lenell Washington, a resident of Anchorage, Alaska, pleaded guilty in federal court in Anchorage to one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.

Washington, age 31, pled guilty before United States District Court Judge John W. Sedwick.

In connection with the guilty plea, Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin White, who prosecuted the case, advised the court that on three occasions in 2007, and 2008, the defendant sold crack cocaine to a government informant. Also, in December of 2007, the defendant was involved in a DUI traffic stop. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the vehicle that Washington had been driving and found a large quantity of crack cocaine, packaged for individual sale. The total amount of crack cocaine distributed and possessed by the defendant amounted to 132.4 grams.

Judge Sedwick announced that sentencing will take place on January 20, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. The law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $4 million, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The court ordered Washington to remain in custody pending sentencing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Anchorage Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case. Ms. White is one of two prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who are funded by the Municipality of Anchorage for the purpose of prosecuting gangrelated and violent crime cases.