New York Man Sentenced for Drug and Firearm Trafficking
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Paula D. Silsby announced that Durrell Williams, 23, of Queens, New York, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge George Z. Singal for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, conspiracy to make false statements in firearm transactions, conspiracy to illegally deal in firearms, aiding and abetting false statements in firearm transactions, and possession of firearms by a prohibited person. Williams was convicted after a three-day jury trial in February of this year.
Evidence introduced at trial showed that Williams transported crack cocaine from the Queens, New York area and along with several other individuals sold it in Portland in 2005 and 2006. Williams, who was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction, also recruited several “straw purchasers” to purchase firearms on his behalf from licensed firearms dealers in the Portland and Lewiston area. Williams then transported the firearms to New York for resale. Several of the firearms obtained by Williams in Maine were later recovered by the New York City Police Department in 2006.
The investigation that led to Williams’ conviction at trial also led to the convictions of six of Williams’ former associates:
- Wade Collett, a licensed firearms dealer, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make false statements in firearm transactions, illegal sale of firearms to an out-of-state resident and false statements to a government agency;
- Timothy Foust pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and conspiracy to illegally deal in firearms;
- Joshua Hebert pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and conspiracy to illegally deal in firearms;
- Adam DeCicco pleaded guilty to making false statements in firearm transactions;
- Kati Cataldo pleaded guilty to making false statements in firearm transactions; and
- Sherina Howard pleaded guilty to making false declarations to a federal grand jury.
United States Attorney Silsby praised the investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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