Laurel Drug Dealer Exiled to More Than 12 Years in Prison

BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Joevaughn Butler, age 33, of Laurel, Maryland, today to 152 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and crack cocaine. Judge Bredar enhanced Butler’s sentence upon finding that he is a career offender/armed career criminal based on three previous drug convictions. Judge Bredar also ordered that Butler forfeit $235,499 in cash and two 9-millimeter handguns recovered during a search of his residence.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gary Tuggle of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Chief Cathy L. Lanier of the Metropolitan Police Department.

According to Butler’s plea agreement, Butler was arrested on September 23, 2011, shortly after leaving an apartment in the Laurel area of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Butler was wanted on two outstanding arrest warrants issued by Washington, D.C. Superior Court. Butler was searched, and law enforcement recovered 52 ziplock baggies of heroin and a larger plastic bag containing additional heroin; 14 pink ziplock baggies of crack cocaine and a larger plastic bag containing additional crack cocaine; a key to the apartment from which he was observed leaving; and $150 cash.

Later that day, a search warrant was obtained for the apartment and law enforcement recovered powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin; two 9-millimeter handguns; and $229,679 in cash, all from a closet in the master bathroom. Recovered from the apartment’s living room was $5,670 in cash and an electronic money counter.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, DEA, and the Metropolitan Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Brooke Carey, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.