Robert Cedrick Baker, III, a 37-year-old former NFL player from Gainesville, Florida, has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Michael J. Moore, Baker entered his plea before the Honorable Hugh Lawson, United States District Judge in Valdosta, Georgia. The plea stems from a traffic stop on January 20, 2013, by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office on Georgia Highway 401, which revealed 59.5 grams of heroin and a Smith & Wesson, 9mm semi-automatic pistol in Baker’s possession.
As part of his guilty plea, Baker admitted to possessing the heroin for distribution and carrying the 9mm semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime. U.S. Attorney Michael Moore stated, “Mr. Baker made a terrible mistake when he chose to traffic illegal drugs, and particularly when he brought a gun along to help him do so. He will have a long time to reflect on that mistake in federal prison.”
The maximum penalty for possession with intent to distribute heroin is twenty (20) years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.00, or both, followed by a term of supervised release of at least three (3) years. Additionally, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, up to a maximum term of life in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both, followed by a term of supervised release of five (5) years.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Peter Leary is handling the prosecution for the Government. Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2602.
The guilty plea marks a significant downfall for Baker, who once had a promising career in the National Football League. Instead, he now faces the possibility of spending decades behind bars for his role in trafficking heroin and carrying a firearm in furtherance of his crimes. As U.S. Attorney Moore noted, Baker’s decision to engage in these activities will have lasting consequences, and he will have ample time to reflect on his mistakes while serving his sentence.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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