Operation Don Quixote Defendant Sentenced to Federal Prison

GREENVILLE—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court on June 15, 2011, RUSHAUN PARKER, 21, of Wilmington, North Carolina was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard to 420 months’ imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release.

On February 24, 2010, a superseding criminal indictment was returned by a federal grand jury. Following a trial, on March 2, 2011, a federal jury convicted PARKER on all counts which included possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base, distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base, distribution of more than five grams of cocaine base, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering to conceal the proceeds of drug trafficking.

Law enforcement arranged and executed two controlled buys in which 60 grams and 27 grams of crack cocaine on November 9, and December 1, 2009, respectively, were purchased from PARKER in front of his house.

On January 27, 2010, a search warrant was executed at PARKER’s residence. During the search, law enforcement found 70 grams of crack cocaine. PARKER was arrested in his bedroom and found within arms reach was an SKS assault rifle.

During the investigation, it was determined that PARKER had distributed more than five kilograms of crack cocaine. It was also determined that a Mercedes Benz was purchased with proceeds from his crack cocaine sales and the vehicle registered in another person’s name at PARKER’s request. Evidence presented at trial showed that investigators discovered a ‘My Space’ web page which showed PARKER throwing more than $24,000 into a bathroom sink and showed the floor which was covered with an additional large amount of United States currency. The site also had pictures of PARKER flashing large amounts of money. According to law enforcement PARKER is a validated gang member.

This case was brought as a part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation entitled Don Quixote, investigating importers and multi-level distributors of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, Ecstasy and gang activity associated with this distribution. This organization is responsible for the importation and distribution of more than 400 kilograms of cocaine, more than 155 kilograms of crack cocaine, 3 kilograms of heroin, 20,000 Ecstacy pills and more than 240 kilograms of marijuana into Eastern North Carolina since 2003. To date, 53 people have been sentenced in federal court as a part of this operation.

Investigation continues and is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigations Safe Streets Task Force (Wilmington); the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations; the Wilmington Police Department; the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office; the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office; the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office; the Pender County Sheriff’s Office; the Holly Ridge Police Department; the Top Sail Police Department and the Surf City Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Severo represents the government. Mr. Severo is a prosecutor with the New Hanover District Attorney’s Office. District Attorney Ben David has assigned him to the United States Attorney’s office to prosecute federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force criminal matters.