Damion Rashaad Carder, Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Florida 2013

Heroin Dealer Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison

In a shocking case of reckless endangerment, 36-year-old Damion Rashaad Carder was sentenced to 18 years and 9 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.

Carder, a resident of Cocoa, Florida, was arrested in 2013 after a lengthy investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. According to court documents and statements made during the sentencing hearing, Carder was on supervised release as a result of his 2006 conviction in federal court for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

Despite being under supervision, Carder continued to sell heroin from his home, which was located just one block away from the Joe Lee Smith Park and Recreation Center. The Center features a children’s playground, baseball field, basketball court, gymnasium, and community center, and Carder would deal heroin when the Center was open, putting the lives of countless children at risk.

But Carder’s reckless behavior didn’t stop there. When he thought he was about to be arrested, he placed two firearms and ammunition in a car with two children, ages 8 and 10, and told the driver to leave the area. Law enforcement stopped the driver and recovered the firearms shortly before arresting Carder, who was found to be in possession of over 200 grams of heroin.

U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell handed down the sentence in a federal court in Orlando, Florida. The court also ordered Carder to abandon any interest he had in the firearms and ammunition recovered at the time of his arrest.

Carder pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2013 and has been held without bail since his arrest. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent A. Citro, who praised the work of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.

As the Grimy Times continues to investigate the details of this disturbing case, one thing is clear: the threat of heroin addiction and the dangers of reckless gun ownership are very real, and it’s up to all of us to take action to prevent such tragedies from occurring.

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