For his involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking scheme that involves transporting hundreds of pounds of harmful substances across the nation, a man from Seattle was given a sentence of more than ten years in federal prison. Antonio D.J. Mitchell, 39, was sentenced to 150 months in prison by United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison for his involvement in an armed drug conspiracy with three other people.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) led the investigation, which resulted in the discovery of nearly 200 pounds of methamphetamine, large amounts of fentanyl, and cocaine, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Specifically, the drug ring concealed and transported the drugs using buckets from hardware stores.
Mitchell entered a guilty plea to counts of narcotics distribution and possession with intent to distribute, as did Keith Haskins of California and Kennie Smith of Michigan. Federal agents began expanding their activities in November 2021 after finding a sizable cache of firearms and drugs in an apartment and storage unit in Detroit. Mitchell, who carried drugs and illegal proceeds between Michigan and the southwestern United States, was sentenced by District Judge Linda V. Parker.
In a statement cited by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Attorney Ison declared, “We will relentlessly pursue and prosecute drug dealers who continue to inflict harm on our communities with dangerous drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl, whether near or far.” Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Detroit Division, emphasized the lethal potential of the recovered fentanyl, which could have killed more than a million people. In the meantime, USPIS Inspector in Charge of the Detroit Division, Rodney Hopkins, stressed the importance of teamwork in obtaining convictions and maintaining public safety.
Mitchell’s sentencing is a component of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces’ (OCDETF) coordinated attempt to dismantle prominent drug trafficking organizations. Many suspects engaging in such unlawful operations have been disrupted and apprehended thanks in large part to this multi-agency effort. Smith was sentenced to 125 months in prison, while Haskins was given an 18-year sentence. Chalisa Sawyer, the fourth defendant, will go on trial in January 2025.
As seen in this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Franzinger, the hard work of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies greatly supports the objective of the OCDETF. The U.S. legal system continues to prioritize efforts to combat these sophisticated criminal businesses.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply