Drug Dealer Exiled to 10 Years in Prison

U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Eric Coley, age 55, of Baltimore, today to 10 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, as part of an investigation into a heroin drug trafficking organization, the FBI overheard phone calls in which Coley bought heroin from co-defendant Walter Powell, to resell to his own customers. On November 8, 2011, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Coley’s home and seized a .22 caliber revolver, a loaded .22 caliber pistol, approximately 133 grams of heroin, 172 grams of cocaine, and a strainer. Coley conspired with others to distribute between 700 grams and one kilogram of heroin.
Walter Lee Powell, age 60, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and awaits sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Baltimore Police Department, Maryland State Police, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Ayn B. Ducao and Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted the case.