Utah Brothers Sentenced for Trafficking 239 Pounds of Marijuana

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Benjamin J. Daniels, 38, of Sandy, Utah, was sentenced to 34 months in federal prison to be followed by 5 years supervised release for his participation in a conspiracy to ship 239 pounds of marijuana to Rhode Island from Pennsylvania in December 2013. His brother, Michael Daniels, 33, of Provo, Utah, formerly of Tiverton, R.I., was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years supervised release for his participation in the drug trafficking conspiracy.

The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith. Benjamin Daniels pleaded guilty on September 14, 2014, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fifty kilograms or more of marijuana. Michael Daniels pleaded guilty on August 28, 2014, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fifty kilograms or more of marijuana.

According to court files and information presented to the court, in December 2013, HSI agents in Pittsburgh, working with the Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Division in Riverside, CA, conducted an investigation of a single-engine aircraft located at an airport in New Castle, PA, believed to be involved in the transportation of large quantities of marijuana.

The investigation led to the arrest of Michael Daniels at a hotel in Lincoln, R.I., where he was loading the 239 pounds of marijuana into a rented vehicle. Agents seized the marijuana and $4,694 in cash found on Michael Daniels’ person. Benjamin Daniels was arrested on January 31, 2014, during a traffic stop in Park City, Utah.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr. The Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Warwick Police Department assisted in the investigation.

The sentences imposed on the two brothers are a significant blow to the marijuana trafficking ring they were a part of. The investigation and subsequent arrests demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combating organized crime and bringing those responsible to justice.

The case highlights the importance of interagency cooperation and the tireless efforts of law enforcement agents who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.