Drug Kingpin Antoine Clark Sentenced to 25 Years in South Philly

PHILADELPHIA – Antoine Clark, 31, has been handed a 25-year sentence for his role as the mastermind of an almost constant drug delivery service in South Philadelphia. The verdict was delivered by United States District Court Judge Gerald J. Pappert, who also ordered Clark to pay a $1,700 fine and serve 10 years of supervised release.

Clark’s co-conspirators, Gerald Spruell, 33, and Daniel Robinson, 37, were also convicted after a trial that lasted over two weeks. The trio faced charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, as well as distribution or possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin.

Between 2014 and 2016, Clark and his gang, known as the “Friends” and the “7th Street” drug trafficking group, operated a relentless operation. They used a shared phone line to take orders and communicate with customers, passing it off in shifts to ensure their service ran almost around the clock. The FBI intercepted calls and texts from this phone, providing evidence of their illegal activities.

“Drug trafficking is an insidious, dangerous activity that ruins neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain. “Antoine Clark was an expert at it, and now he will pay the price – 25 years. That is the sort of justice that awaits drug dealers in federal court. My Office is determined to protect communities ravaged by the drug trade.”

“The FBI is committed to keeping communities safe from predators like Antoine Clark,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message to drug organizations and gang members that we will hunt you down and bring you to justice.”

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Newcomer and Jason Grenell prosecuting the case.