Minneapolis Man Sentenced for Possessing with Intent to Distribute 500 or More Grams of Cocaine
MINNEAPOLIS — Earlier today in federal court, a 43–year–old Minneapolis man was sentenced for possessing with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine. United States District Court Judge Ann D. Montgomery sentenced Derek Wayne Brown to 96 months in prison on one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine. Brown was indicted along with eight co–defendants on November 1, 2010, and pleaded guilty on March 16, 2011.
In his plea agreement, Brown admitted that from April 20 through July 10, 2010, he possessed with intent to distribute and did in fact distribute approximately 500 grams of cocaine. In addition, Brown admitted he was responsible for between five and 15 kilograms of cocaine.
On February 16, 2012, Robert Brandon Cook, age 32, of St. Paul, was sentenced to 85 months on one count of possession with intent to distribute five or more grams of crack cocaine. Cook pleaded guilty on March 14, 2011. In his plea agreement, Cook admitted that on May 3, 2010, he possessed with intent to distribute approximately seven grams of crack cocaine and was responsible for between 280 and 840 grams of crack cocaine. In addition, Cook admitted that while he was distributing the crack cocaine, he possessed multiple firearms.
On October 14, 2011, Carl Maurice Woodard, age 43, of Richfield, was sentenced to 132 months on one count of possession with intent to distribute five or more grams of crack cocaine. He pleaded guilty on March 16, 2011. In his plea agreement, Woodard admitted that on June 25, 2010, he possessed with intent to distribute and did distribute approximately 28 grams of crack cocaine. In addition, Woodard admitted being responsible for between 28 and 112 grams of crack cocaine.
On September 14, 2011, Leverette Cushawn Cargill, age 35, no known address, was sentenced to 120 months on one count of possession with intent to distribute five or more grams of crack cocaine. He pleaded guilty on March 15, 2011. In his plea agreement, Cargill admitted that on May 4, 2010, she possessed with intent to distribute approximately 28 grams of crack cocaine and was responsible for between 28 and 112 grams of crack cocaine.
On September 14, Victor Cortez Shelton, age 24, of St. Cloud, was sentenced to 92 months on one count of aiding and abetting a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty on April 6, 2011. In his plea agreement, Shelton admitted that on June 19, 2010, he possessed and aided and abetted others in the possession of a 12–gauge shotgun. He gave the shotgun to codefendant Shila Marie Robinson, who took it to co–defendant Orlando Michael Jravha Walker, both of whom are convicted felons. Because he too is a felon, Shelton is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. Shelton was convicted in Stearns County in 2007 for second–degree assault and fifth–degree assault.
Also on September 14, Lanesta Jean White, age 29, of Minneapolis, was sentenced to 30 months on one count of possession with intent to distribute five or more grams of crack cocaine. She pleaded guilty on March 21, 2011. In her plea agreement, White admitted that on May 4, 2010, she possessed with intent to distribute and did distribute approximately 28 grams of crack cocaine. In addition, White admitted being responsible for between 28 and 112 grams of crack cocaine.
On September 14, Orlando Michael Jravha Walker, age 27, of St. Cloud, was sentenced to 30 months on one count of aiding and abetting a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty on March 15, 2011. In his plea agreement, Walker admitted that on April 23, 2010, he possessed a nine–millimeter pistol.
On August 8, 2011, Shila Marie Robinson, age 32, of St. Cloud, was sentenced to 12 months on one count of aiding and abetting a felon in possession of a firearm. She also pleaded guilty on March 15, 2011. In her plea agreement, Robinson admitted that on June 19, 2010, she possessed a 12–gauge shotgun that she received from Shelton, a convicted felon.
Because they are felons, Robinson and Walker are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. Walker was convicted in Hennepin County in 2004 for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Robinson was convicted in Stearns County in 2009 for damage to property.
On August 10, 2011, Tiffany Tyeisha Dantzler, age 24, of St. Paul, was sentenced to time served on one count of possession with intent to distribute five or more grams of crack cocaine. She pleaded guilty on March 14, 2011. In her plea agreement, Dantzler admitted that on May 7, 2010, she possessed with intent to distribute approximately six grams of crack cocaine and was responsible for between 28 and 49 grams of crack cocaine.
This case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Minneapolis Police Department; the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; the St. Cloud Police Department; the Minnesota Department of Corrections; the St. Paul Police Department; the Minnesota State Patrol; the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office; the Benton County Sheriff’s Office; the Todd County Sheriff’s Office; the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office; the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office; the Little Falls Police Department; the Sartell Police Department; the Sauk Rapids Police Department; the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office; and the Waite Park Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell.
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