Sixteen-Count Drug Trafficking Indictment Returned

WILMINGTON, DE—David C. Weiss, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that 10 men were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges, including conspiracy to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846. The 16-count indictment was partially unsealed yesterday.

The charged defendants include Qiydaar Miller, age 33, from Wilmington; Albari Malik Johnson, age 37, from Wilmington; Tamir Collins, age 32, from Wilmington; Keenan Williams, age 55, from Wilmington; Walter Thomas, age 51, from Wilmington; Ibrahim Sesay, age 37, from Wilmington; Andre Cephas, age 42, from Ellendale; Harry Coverdale, age 35, from Wilmington; Corey Pendergrass, age 33, from Wilmington; and Daqwan Riley, age 20, from Wilmington. If convicted of any of the remaining offenses, the defendants charged in those offenses could face either a mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years of imprisonment and up to 40 years in prison, in addition to fines, and supervised release, or up to 20 years in prison, in addition to fines, and supervised release, depending on the amount of drug charged in the offense.

The Indictment alleges that the conspiracy to distribute controlled substances existed between March 2012 and June 2013. Moreover, the prosecution presented information during detention hearings held yesterday in federal court that the defendants were part of a drug trafficking organization that distributed drugs throughout Wilmington, Delaware, including a residence located at 30th and Madison Streets, which served as the group’s base of operations.

The Indictment and arrests of these individuals was the product of a long-term investigation into the drug trafficking organization and was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Wilmington Police Department; and the State of Delaware Department of Corrections Division of Probation and Parole. Critical support for the investigation and arrests was provided by Delaware State Police, Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement, New Castle County Police Department, United States Marshals Service, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Acting United States Attorney David C. Weiss thanked the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies for their participation in this investigation and stated, “The defendants are charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute substantial quantities of illegal drugs in the city of Wilmington. We are determined to pursue these charges to the fullest extent of the law, and we will continue the investigation into others who had joined with the charged defendants in trafficking illegal drugs here in Delaware.”

The charges in the Indictment are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie M. McCall and Ilana Eisenstein, District of Delaware. For further information, please contact AUSA McCall at 302-573-6079 or AUSA Eisenstein at 302-573-6082.