Co-Conspirators in Philadelphia Crack Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy Convicted

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that a jury has convicted Edward Stinson and Debra Baylor of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base, in addition to several related drug charges, including one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine (against Baylor); one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine within a public housing project (against Baylor); two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (against Baylor); unlawful use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug felony (multiple counts against both defendants); and one count of maintaining a drug house (against Baylor). 

The Stinson Drug Trafficking Group (DTG) sold crack cocaine in and around the Norman Blumberg Apartment Complex (Blumberg) in North Philadelphia from about 2010 through September 2015.  Blumberg was a public housing facility that provided housing to low income residents and contained two children’s playgrounds before it was torn down in 2016.  The DTG sold crack cocaine 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, employing a large network of supervisors, sellers, lookouts, and suppliers in and around Blumberg.  To protect their territory and drug trafficking activities, members of this DTG routinely carried, and sometimes used, loaded firearms.

Stinson was the leader of the DTG.  He was assisted in the daily operations of the DTG by multiple individuals, including Baylor.  Defendants and others obtained bulk quantities of cocaine from suppliers and arranged for it to be cooked into crack cocaine inside various apartments in Blumberg.  The crack cocaine was then distributed to other members of the DTG for further re-distribution by another group of persons in the DTG.  Debra Baylor, in addition to selling crack cocaine, permitted Edward Stinson and others acting on their behalf, to package, store, and distribute crack cocaine out of her apartment, which served as a “stash” house for the DTG.

“Today’s verdict ensures that Stinson and Baylor will be held accountable for the misery their drug trafficking activities caused,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain.  “Today’s victory demonstrates my Office’s steadfast commitment to taking down criminal organizations like the Stinson DTG and cutting off the supply of illegal drugs like crack cocaine into our communities.”

“For years, Edward Stinson controlled the crack trade around the Blumberg Apartments through violence and intimidation. His 24-7 operation hauled in millions of dollars, at great cost to that neighborhood and the folks who lived there. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to dismantling drug trafficking organizations like this and bringing those involved to justice,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division.

“Stinson and his associates were responsible for rampant drug trafficking and acts of violence that terrorized the residents of the former Norman Blumberg Apartment complex,” said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division.  “Through their criminal activities, Stinson and Baylor preyed on some of the most vulnerable members of our society through fear, intimidation, and total disregard for the residents of this public housing facility.”

This case was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Division, the Drug Enforcement Administration's Philadelphia Field Division, and the Philadelphia Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph Labrum and Josh Davison.