Fairbanks Man Sentenced to 18 Years’ Imprisonment for His Role in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

ANCHORAGE—U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that a man from Anchorage, Alaska was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage for his role in an Anchorage and Fairbanks drug conspiracy.

Donnel Johnson, a/k/a, “Creep,” age 31, from Fairbanks, Alaska, was sentenced on Friday, February 21, 2014, by United States District Court Chief Judge Ralph R. Beistline. Johnson received a sentence of 216 months in prison and five years of supervised release on charges related to a drug conspiracy. Johnson was also ordered to forfeit vehicles and jewelry derived from drug trafficking.

Johnson was a key member of a drug trafficking conspiracy in which he and his accomplices attempted to conceal their drug trafficking by claiming they were involved in legitimate businesses, specifically that they were “artists,” employees, or promoters of an Anchorage recording label and rap and hip hop performance group known as Out Da Cutt or ODC Entertainment and UNDB (Up North ‘D’ or Dope Boys). Members of this conspiracy would record rap and hip hop songs, post videos on Youtube.com, and perform local shows in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Much of their music glorified the lifestyle of selling illegal narcotics and committing other crimes. The lavish and extravagant lifestyle portrayed in their music and videos was supported by their sales of illegal narcotics. Johnson held himself out as a record producer for the record label and recording group.

Johnson was the Fairbanks supervisor of the distribution of cocaine during the conspiracy. In fact, according to sources, Johnson was the largest distributor of cocaine in Fairbanks during the course of the conspiracy. Johnson would obtain cocaine from other members of the conspiracy in Anchorage and then he or others would deliver the cocaine to Fairbanks for distribution. According to court filings, in November 2012, the United States Postal Service intercepted 10 kilograms of cocaine bound for two different Anchorage addresses. During the delivery of one of the packages, Johnson was observed in a vehicle conducting counter-surveillance in the area. In January 2012, while on a routine personal errand, an APD detective assigned to the DEA Task Force noticed the same vehicle at a Fred Meyer’s parking lot. As he watched the vehicle, Johnson arrived and placed a large duffel bag in the vehicle. The vehicle was then pulled over by Anchorage Police officers, and 12 kilograms of cocaine were found in the duffel bag. This cocaine was bound for Fairbanks to be distributed by Johnson and his accomplices. The seizures resulted in numerous search warrants in Fairbanks and Anchorage. To date, 23 people have been charged in connection with the investigation.

Before imposing a sentence, Chief Judge Beistline told Johnson that a serious sentence was warranted, because “for at least the last three to five years, you were pouring cocaine into the Fairbanks community.”

Johnson was the latest to be sentenced in connection with the investigation. Previously, on November 2, 2012, Chief Judge Beistline sentenced Christopher Anderson to 14 months’ imprisonment. DeMarr Moultrie was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment on May 1, 2013. Jeraelyn Hill was sentenced to 66 months’ imprisonment on May 28, 2013. Jerry Wormley was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment on May 31, 2013. Rock Phelps, II was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment on June 14, 2013. Brent Gunnels was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on August 2, 2013. Mihla Hall was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment on August 21, 2013. Joshua Mustovich was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment on September 6, 2013. Dalon Johnson was sentenced to 92 months’ imprisonment on September 24, 2013. Antonio Fleming was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment on January 14, 2014. Tevoris Carter, Emma Shine, and Terrance Fleming have plead guilty for their roles in connection with the conspiracy and await sentencing.

Ms. Loeffler commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the Anchorage Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mr. Johnson.