Federal Jury Convicts Wisconsin Man for Possessing Cocaine and Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute

MINNEAPOLIS—Yesterday in federal court in St. Paul, a jury found a 33-year-old man from Green Bay, Wisconsin, guilty of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. On June 26, 2013, the jury convicted Travis Sentell Peeler of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and 280 or more grams of crack cocaine. Peeler was indicted on July 23, 2012, along with six co-defendants.

The evidence presented at trial proved that between March 2009 and March 2012, Peeler conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. Earlier, six of Peeler’s co-defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. In their plea agreements, the co-defendants admitted that between March 2009 and March 2012, they conspired with each other to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

On March 4, 2013, Rossco Antonieo Ross, age 35, of Columbia Heights, pleaded guilty. In his plea agreement, Ross admitted that he obtained the cocaine, “cooked” it into crack cocaine, and sold it to the others. He also admitted responsibility for 340 grams of crack cocaine. On January 11, 2013, William Elisha Carter, age 28, of Plymouth, pleaded guilty. In his plea agreement, Carter admitted responsibility for between five and 15 kilograms of cocaine.

On December 18, 2012, Musaaleh Waheed Muhammad, age 36, of Brooklyn Park, pleaded guilty. In his plea agreement, Muhammad admitted that he distributed cocaine to others to sell. Muhammad admitted responsibility for between five to 15 kilograms of cocaine. On November 21, 2012, Charles Eric Jackson, Jr., age 45, of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty. In his plea agreement, Jackson admitted that he purchased crack cocaine from Ross and sold it to others. Jackson admitted responsibility for 161 grams of crack cocaine.

On November 19, 2012, Gregory Leroy Carter, age 26, of Brooklyn Park, pleaded guilty. In his plea agreement, Carter admitted that he purchased cocaine from Ross and sold it to others. He also admitted responsibility for 56 grams of crack cocaine. In addition, Carter admitted that he carried firearms, including a 9mm pistol while he was trafficking in narcotics on February 5, 2012. On November 14, 2012, Heriberto Sanchez, age 25, of Lucerne, California, pleaded guilty. In his plea agreement, Sanchez admitted securing the transport of cocaine from Mexico through California to Minnesota. He also admitted responsibility for between five and 15 kilograms of cocaine.

For their crimes, Peeler, Sanchez, Ross, Muhammad, and William Carter face a potential maximum penalty of life in prison. Jackson and Gregory Carter face a potential maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. United States District Court Judge Richard H. Kyle will determine their sentences at future hearings, yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Safe Streets is a FBI-sponsored task force that focuses on combating violent street crime as well as gang and drug trafficking offenses. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell.