Two Men Touting Their Commitment to Drug Trafficking on You Tube Video Sentenced in Federal Court

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that Jamel E. Easter, age 25, Carlton L. Easter, age 21, both of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were sentenced today before United States District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of crack cocaine and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of crack cocaine. Additionally, Jamel Easter was also sentenced for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Judge Rambo sentenced Carlton Easter to a 210 month term of imprisonment and further ordered that he pay $1,000 in community restitution, a $1,000 fine and serve a five year term of supervised release.

Judge Rambo also sentenced Jamel Easter today to a 228 month term of imprisonment and further ordered that he pay a $1,000 in community restitution, a $1,000 fine and serve a five year term of supervised release.

Both Carlton and Jamel Easter, along with their cousin Joseph Moore, age 22, also of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were convicted after a three-day trial in February 2008. The trial revealed that on March 29, 2007, a confidential informant working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Harrisburg Bureau of Police, and Dauphin County Drug Task Force made an arrangement for a drug transaction involving nine ounces of crack cocaine with Jamel Easter. Jamel Easter, along with Carlton Easter and Moore arrived for the drug transaction. Under surveillance and wearing a wire, the confidential informant entered Jamel Easter’s vehicle to complete the drug transaction. Arrest teams responded and attempted to take them into custody. Jamel Easter sped away from officers down the sidewalk of a residential city street. With officers following, the confidential informant rolled out of the vehicle with the $6,000 in cash. With the cash blowing in the wind behind them, the car crashed a block later. Jamel Easter and Moore fled the scene but Carlton Easter was unable to flee because his leg was injured from a previous shooting incident. Both men were later arrested after hiding in an abandoned house. One of the officers was injured when he fell through the abandoned house’s floor.

Both Jamel Easter and Moore were depicted in a 2005 You Tube video rapping and displaying a variety of guns. Moore describes in the video that he will never stop selling drugs no matter how many times he goes to jail.

Sentencing for Moore has been scheduled for April 22, 2009.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Consiglio.

U.S. Attorney Carlson praised the hard work of the investigating agencies and went on to note, “Today, two drug dealers who touted on the Internet their continued involvement in drug trafficking have quickly learned that local, state and federal agencies are committed to investigating and prosecuting drug traffickers across the Middle District.”