Dwight A. Singletary II, Marijuana Distribution, New York 2016

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Twenty-four defendants have been charged with marijuana distribution, money laundering, firearms and related offenses in an indictment returned last month announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; Chief Daniel DeWolf of the Troy Police Department; and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

As alleged in the 99-count indictment, between at least 2016 and June 2022, Dwight A. Singletary II, aka “Nutt” and “Mike Jones,” McKenzie Merrialice Coles, aka “Kenzie,” and others shipped thousands of kilograms of marijuana from a small shipping store called Fast Pack & Ship in Fresno, California, to locations throughout the United States, including the Capital Region of New York. The marijuana was shipped in packages delivered by UPS and FedEx, and to enable the recipients to receive the packages, Singletary, Coles, and others text messaged receipts with package tracking information to the recipients. Singletary and Coles are from New York but moved to Fresno and, as alleged, principally operated their marijuana distribution scheme from California.

Recipients of the packages of marijuana in the Capital Region included, among many others, David Singletary; Lawrence Mumphrey; Deandre Caldwell, aka “Dilli,” “Dillinger,” and “Dre”; Rosemary Coles; Niara Banks, aka “Nie”; Jazell Shuler; Toqwanda Ketchmore, aka “Quannie”; Victor Turner; JuneAllyson Osman, aka “Juney”; Consanga Harris, aka “Sondy”; and LaFay Pearson, aka “Lala.”

In addition to marijuana, Singletary, Coles, and others also shipped “edibles” containing tetrahydrocannabinols, or THC, from Fast Pack & Ship. Rosemary Coles, David Singletary, Lawrence Mumphrey, and Deandre Caldwell, among others, allegedly sold the edibles in the Capital Region. In the Capital Region, the marijuana and edibles would often be taken to so-called “knock spots,” including on 5th Avenue in Troy, where the marijuana products were sold through a slot in the door.

Search warrants executed throughout the investigation repeatedly resulted in the seizure of firearms and ammunition at “knock spots” and at residences belonging to those who ran the knock spots, including David Singletary, aka “DB,” and Lawrence Mumphrey, aka “L,” both of whom are alleged to have been prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition as previously convicted felons.

The proceeds from the sale of marijuana and edibles were allegedly laundered through a variety of means, including money transfers; the transportation and delivery of cash, including $179,710 in cash that was seized from Kristle Walker, aka “Demii” at the Albany International Airport; the purchase of cashier’s checks; real estate transactions; and cash and money order deposits into various bank accounts, including accounts in the names of Dwight Singletary’s companies, DAS Empire, Inc. and Daddy D’s Boutique, and McKenzie Coles’ company, M.M.M.C. Management, Inc. The real estate transactions included Dwight Singletary’s and Coles’ purchase of two residences in Fresno for $820,000, and the use of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash marijuana proceeds to renovate properties owned by Dwight Singletary and DAS Empire in the Capital Region. Some of the renovated properties were later sold, including a residence on 5th Avenue in Troy. As alleged in the indictment, Singletary purchased the residence for $9,000 in 2016 and sold it for over $250,000 in 2020.

Dwight A. Singletary II, 24 defendants, are charged with marijuana distribution, money laundering, and firearms offenses. The charges include marijuana possession with intent to distribute, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence. The indictment alleges that Lawrence Mumphrey possessed three large-caliber rifles and a handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. One of the rifles and the handgun did not have serial numbers; Mumphrey also allegedly possessed a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

Defendant: Dwight A. Singletary II. Exact criminal charges: marijuana distribution, money laundering, and firearms offenses. City and state: Albany, New York. Exact date: 2016-2022. Sentence or outcome: currently pending court proceedings. Dollar amounts: $179,710 in cash seized, $820,000 for two residences purchased in Fresno, California.

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