James Walker, Cocaine Conspiracy, New York 2018

BUFFALO, N.Y. - A 71-year-old Alabama man was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a cocaine conspiracy in New York, officials said.

James Walker, of Huntsville, Alabama, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, a mixture and substance containing cocaine, according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.

The conspiracy involved the transport of bulk quantities of cocaine to multiple areas in the country, including Buffalo, New York. Walker owned a commercial tractor-trailer, which was outfitted with a lined hidden compartment for the purpose of concealing bulk cocaine and/or bulk currency.

Between February and July 25, 2018, Walker conspired with Adrian Goudelock, Eric Young, and others to sell cocaine. Walker hired Young, who drove the tractor-trailer to the Western District of New York with bulk cocaine on at least two occasions.

Walker told Young about the hidden compartment and directed him to communicate with specified co-conspirators to arrange the logistics of the bulk cocaine deliveries and to retrieve bulk cash in exchange for the bulk cocaine.

Communicating over an encrypted messaging application, Walker directed Young, in June 2018, to make three drops of 20 kilograms each in Cleveland, OH, Buffalo, and New York.

Tuesday, U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. sentenced Walker to serve 30 months in prison.

This case was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.

The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.

Law enforcement seized $664,960 from Walker’s tractor-trailer.

Defendant: James Walker

Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, a mixture and substance containing cocaine

City and State: Buffalo, New York

Date: February-July 25, 2018

Sentence: 30 months in prison

Dollar Amounts: $664,960

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/alabama-man-going-prison-his-role-drug-conspiracy