FOR FURTHERINFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or

MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885  
JANUARY 2, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                       

BALTIMORE MAN EXILED TO 25 YEARS ON DRUG CONSPIRACY CHARGES
Prosecuted Under the EXILE Violent Repeat Offender Program

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Dwight Alonzo Hickman, also known as “Monster”, age 29, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 25 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy. Judge Quarles enhanced Hickman’s sentence upon finding that he was a career offender based on two previous drug convictions and two convictions for assault.

“Dwight Alonzo Hickman is the most recent defendant exiled as a result of the Violent Repeat Offender program,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Local, state and federal authorities work together as part of the EXILE Violent Repeat Offender Program to identify dangerous career criminals who are responsible for much of the drug dealing and violent crime in our neighborhoods. Once we identify such criminals, we devote the resources necessary to gather evidence that will put them out of business. Any criminals who continue to deal drugs or carry guns on the streets of Baltimore may be future candidates for the Violent Repeat Offender program.”

According to the plea agreement, from May 2005 to January 2007, Hickman conspired with others to distribute crack cocaine in the Westport section of Baltimore , Maryland . Hickman and his conspirators used his home on Sidney Avenue in Baltimore and other locations in and around Baltimore City to store crack cocaine for distribution. On June 7, 2006, Baltimore police searched Hickman’s residence and recovered 40 small glass containers with marijuana; two plastic bags with approximately 58.78 grams of crack cocaine; two clear plastic bags each containing 50 orange zip-lock bags with crack cocaine; a plastic bag containing 13 zip-lock bags with crack cocaine; numerous empty packaging materials; and a digital scale with cocaine residue.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein and Baltimore City State ’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy thanked the Baltimore City State ’s Attorney’s Office and Assistant State ’s Attorney Diana Smith, the Baltimore City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein and Ms. Jessamy commended Assistant United States Attorney James T. Wallner and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James F. Francomano, a cross-designated Baltimore City Assistant State ’s Attorney assigned to EXILE cases, who prosecuted the case.