GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: James Durrette, 45, of Clinton, Md., has been found guilty by a jury in a federal court for his role in a drug trafficking organization operating in the Washington, D.C. area.
The jury’s verdict, returned on March 16, 2017, charges Durrette with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin. The defendant now faces a life sentence under federal sentencing guidelines, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years due to prior drug convictions. Sentencing is set for June 1, 2017, before Judge Amit P. Mehta.
The investigation revealed that Durrette and associates were part of a large-scale drug trafficking ring active between 2009 and 2014. The group was primarily involved in transporting vast quantities of marijuana but also dealt in significant amounts of heroin and cocaine. Suppliers from California sent drugs to D.C., where they were redistributed for profit.
Several other individuals have already pleaded guilty in the ongoing investigation. Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips, FBI Assistant Director Andrew Vale, ICE Special Agent Andre R. Watson, and MPD Acting Chief Peter Newsham. They praised the efforts of the FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which included the Metropolitan Police Department and HSI.
Additionally, they acknowledged support from the Prince George’s County, Md. Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office personnel were also commended, including Trial Attorney Andrea G. Duvall, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth F. Whitted and Emory V. Cole, who prosecuted the case.
GRIMY TIMES will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates on the sentencing outcome.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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