Evans Receives 27 Years On Drug And Gun Conviction

A 27 year-old Detroit man was sentenced to 324 months (27 years) in prison yesterday after being convicted of federal narcotics and firearms charges, United States Attorney Craig S. Morford and Special Agent in Charge Valerie J. Goddard, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced today.

Nickye Marcell Evans was sentenced on September 16, 2004, in federal court in Detroit before United States District Judge Denise Page Hood. Evans was charged in a three-count Indictment on January 13, 2004.

Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Schneider, who prosecuted Mr. Evans, stated that "Evans was found guilty on all counts after an extensive trial in March 2003. The sentence was imposed under the United States Sentencing Guidelines according to the nature of the offense and the criminal background of the defendant. Mr. Evans had two prior convictions for selling cocaine and one prior conviction for a felony firearms offense. In this case, Evans was convicted for possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm."

This case is one of the more than 250 that have been referred to the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecution under a Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative that provides for the referral of gun cases by local prosecutors in those instances in which federal law provides for a substantially higher sentence.

This case arose when narcotics officers with the Detroit Police Department received a citizen complaint of drug sales at a vacant house in Detroit. After attempting to purchase cocaine from the house, officers executed a search warrant. Upon entry to the house, Mr. Evans was found to be the only one inside. Evans ran to the attic and officers observed him throw several baggies of crack cocaine to the ground. Officers recovered the cocaine as well as a scale, numerous ziplock baggies, hand-held radios, and a rifle.

U.S. Attorney Morford commended the efforts of agents of ATF and officers of the Detroit Police Department for their diligent work on this case. "The Evans case came to our office through the Project Safe Neighborhoods program. The 27-year sentence is just one example of how the U.S. Attorney's office will not relent when it comes to combating gun and drug violators."

ATF SAC Goddard stated, "The conviction and lengthy sentence in this case highlights the significance Project Safe Neighborhoods plays in our fight to keep guns and violent offenders off the street."

For questions regarding the Project Safe Neighborhoods in the Eastern District of Michigan please contact Peggy Goodwin, the Goodwin Company at (248)543-3891.