Greenbelt, Maryland – In a significant blow to local drug traffickers, Sophia Jones, a 40-year-old Jamaican citizen residing in Montgomery Village, Maryland, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in a heroin distribution conspiracy.
U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus handed down the sentence on January 24, 2014, marking the culmination of a 12-day jury trial that convicted Jones of conspiracy to distribute heroin and marijuana, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The investigation, led by HSI Baltimore, the Prince George’s County Police Department, Maryland State Police, and Virginia State Police, revealed that Jones was a key member of a drug conspiracy that involved at least one kilogram of heroin and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.
According to testimony during the trial, Jones’ co-conspirators transported drugs from Mexico into Texas and then on to Maryland. The group’s activities were facilitated by Sophia Jones, who was intercepted in telephone conversations arranging for the distribution of heroin on at least four occasions.
On October 7th and 11th, Jones distributed a total of approximately 14 grams of heroin. On October 9th, she distributed 50 grams of heroin, and on October 15th, she distributed between 100 and 110 grams of heroin.
The sentences for Jones’ co-conspirators were also announced, with Amir Ali Faraz, age 46, of Laredo, Texas, receiving 20 years in prison. Javier Escobar-Bucerra, age 30, and Harold Bartrum, age 44, were each sentenced to 64 months in prison, while Cecil Rex McCalla, age 50, received 140 months in prison.
U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the agencies involved in the investigation, stating that their work was crucial in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Sophia Jones’ 10-year sentence is a significant win for law enforcement agencies in the region, who have been working tirelessly to combat the growing problem of heroin distribution.
Defendant: Sophia Jones
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute heroin and marijuana, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking
City and State: Greenbelt, Maryland
Exact Date: January 24, 2014
Sentence: 10 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release
Related Federal Cases
- William Frederick Cornish, Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy, Maryland 2016 · Virginia
- Daneille Archambault, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, West Virginia 2017 · Virginia
- Avon Shuttleworth, Cocaine Distribution, Georgia 2020 · South Carolina
- Tyrone Wyatt-Smith, Oxycodone Distribution, West Virginia 2023 · Virginia
- Ajamu Sawandi Osborne, Oxycodone Distribution, West Virginia 2012 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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