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Press Release

Syracuse Man Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of New York
Derrick Wilson Led Group that Sold Heroin and Crack Cocaine

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Derrick Wilson, 36, of Syracuse, New York, was sentenced today to serve a 336 month (28 years) term of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Division, Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler.

 

“The sentence imposed today sends a clear message to those who traffick in illegal drugs- especially heroin, in the midst of this region’s opioid drug epidemic, that we will vigorously enforce the law and seek tough sentences for those who would profit from the misery of others,” said U.S. Attorney Hartunian.   

 

“There is only one way illegal drugs end up in the hands of addicts and that is through the hands of drug dealers.  Derrick Wilson was found guilty for his role in a heroin and crack cocaine conspiracy earlier this year and today’s sentencing is compensatory to the crimes committed,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt.

 

“We will continue to work hard, utilizing every resource available, with the goal of stopping the heroin trade that has plagued our communities.  We have all seen first-hand what this terrible drug does, and hope that this case and lengthy prison sentence will make others think twice before getting involved,” said Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler.

 

Wilson was convicted following a week-long trial in January 2016 during which he represented himself with an assigned attorney present to advise him on legal matters. The evidence at trial, some of which was obtained through court ordered wiretaps, showed that Wilson supervised the distribution of crack cocaine and heroin by other members of the conspiracy, whom he directed and employed. At trial it was established that Wilson made arrangements for heroin and cocaine powder from New York City to be transferred to him in Syracuse, where he ordered members of the conspiracy to process the cocaine powder into crack cocaine and package it for sale. Other members of the conspiracy acting at Wilson’s direction also packaged some of the heroin into uniquely marked plastic bags for “branding” purposes and distribution.  

 

Wilson was the last of 13 defendants to be convicted of participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack cocaine in the Syracuse area from April 2013 to June 18, 2014.  Wilson’s co-defendants all pled guilty and were sentenced as follows:

 

Name

Age

Residence

Sentence

Jeffrey Dowdell

37

Syracuse, NY

120 months

Tashawn Albert

28

Syracuse, NY

66 months

Kyle Dowdell

28

Syracuse, NY

120 months

Quonta Albert

23

Syracuse, NY

60 months

General Davis, Jr.

29

Clay, NY

130 months

Willie Strong, Jr.

37

Liverpool, NY

120 months

Jamall Harris

36

Syracuse, NY

Scheduled for 11/9/2016

James Handford

38

Syracuse, NY

120 months

Zephaneea Dowdell

33

Syracuse, NY

Scheduled for 11/18/2016

Lashandrea Johnson

31

Syracuse, NY

13 months

James Hudson

25

Syracuse, NY

60 months

Darnyl Apgar

28

Syracuse, NY

120 months

This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and the Syracuse Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carla Freedman and Nicolas Commandeur.

Updated October 12, 2016

Topic
Drug Trafficking