Rafael McDaniel, Crack Cocaine Trafficking, Arkansas 2015

LITTLE ROCK—In a major blow to West Memphis’s crime-ridden streets, Rafael McDaniel, 33, has been handed a 20-year prison sentence for his involvement in a massive crack cocaine trafficking ring.

McDaniel, a West Memphis resident, was convicted of drug trafficking and firearms offenses in March 2015. At the sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge Brian S. Miller determined that McDaniel was responsible for the distribution of between 840 grams and 2.8 kilograms of crack cocaine in West Memphis between January 2012 and November 2013.

The evidence presented during the trial revealed that McDaniel was involved in the distribution of crack cocaine in West Memphis. On February 19, 2012, the West Memphis Police Department executed a search warrant at McDaniel’s residence, where officers recovered crack cocaine, a kilogram press with cocaine residue, over $12,000 in cash, and 14 firearms.

McDaniel’s sentence was enhanced due to his obstruction of justice by lying about his drug and gun activities during his testimony at trial. He was sentenced to 15 years for the drug trafficking offenses (Counts One, Two, and Twenty-Five) and a consecutive five years for the firearm offense (Count Twenty-Six), totaling 20 years.

‘We are committed to working together in this district to dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in our communities,’ stated Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

McDaniel’s conviction is a significant victory for law enforcement agencies in the region, who have been working tirelessly to combat the scourge of drug trafficking.

The 20-year prison sentence handed down to McDaniel serves as a stark reminder that those involved in drug trafficking will face severe consequences.

Mandatory Facts:

1. Defendant/Respondent Name: Rafael McDaniel

2. Exact Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Counts Two and Twenty-Five), and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Count Twenty-Six)

3. City and State: West Memphis, Arkansas

4. Exact Date: March 20, 2015 (sentencing date)

5. Sentence or Outcome: 20 years imprisonment, with a mandatory four years of supervised release following his release from imprisonment

6. Dollar Amounts: Over $12,000 in cash recovered during the search warrant execution

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