Rodney Hall, Cocaine and Firearm Possession, Massachusetts 2020

Worcester Man Charged with Cocaine and Firearm Possession

BOSTON - A Worcester man has been charged with cocaine and firearm possession, federal authorities announced yesterday.

Rodney Hall, 36, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to charging documents, on September 30, 2020, Hall was arrested after he sold approximately 14 grams of crack cocaine for $1,500 to an individual in Worcester. At the time of his arrest, Hall had approximately $2,300 in cash, two cell phones, and a key to a Mercedes-Benz.

Law enforcement then executed a search warrant at Hall's residence, where they located approximately 650 grams of cocaine, a loaded 9 mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol, a homemade pistol, ammunition, a digital scale, plastic baggies, and approximately $7,000 in cash. Hall is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his criminal history, which includes previous convictions for possession of a large capacity weapon and trafficking cocaine.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney's Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

About the Charges: Hall was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, which carries a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. He was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, which provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

About the Investigation: The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Lelling's Worcester Branch Office. The investigation was conducted by the Massachusetts State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/convicted-felon-charged-cocaine-and-firearm-possession