Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Delonte Gregory Parker, age 25, of Laurel, Maryland, late on January 25, 2017, to 90 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for a heroin distribution conspiracy, and for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. On January 23, 2017, Judge Grimm sentenced co-defendant, John Gates, age 31, also of Laurel, to 100 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. Judge Grimm also entered an order requiring Parker and Gates to forfeit $70,000, the proceeds from the drug conspiracy.

 

The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

 

According to their plea agreements, from January 2015 through August 24, 2015, Parker and Gates conspired with Thomas Hancock, Paul Fredericks, and Dwight Leo Dent to distribute heroin. Hancock supplied heroin to Fredericks, who distributed it to Parker and Gates. Parker and Gates then sold the heroin to drug users. Dent obtained heroin from Parker and others, which he also distributed to drug users.

 

During the investigation law enforcement intercepted thousands of phone called between the defendants and others, during which they discussed the distribution of heroin. For example, Parker and Gates were overheard arranging to purchase 100 grams of heroin from Fredericks during a call on June 24, 2015. In addition, during the course of the conspiracy, ATF confidential sources made purchases of heroin from both Parker and Gates.

 

On August 24, 2015, law enforcement executed search warrants at the defendants’ residences, as well as other locations associated with the conspiracy. At the apartment where Parker, Gates and Dent resided law enforcement recovered drugs and guns. Specifically, from Parker’s bedroom law enforcement recovered heroin, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, a .357 caliber handgun loaded with 29 rounds in an extended magazine, as well as 19 additional rounds of .357 caliber ammunition. Law enforcement also recovered cocaine and drug paraphernalia from Gates’ bedroom, as well as a loaded .40 caliber handgun. Parker and Gates had previous felony convictions and were prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. At the time of their arrests, Parker was on probation for a 2014 conviction for second degree assault in Prince George’s County Circuit Court, and Gates was on supervised release from a 2010 federal drug conviction.

 

Thomas Hancock, age 34, of Washington, D.C.; Paul Fredericks, a/k/a Duke, age 39, of District Heights, Maryland; and Dwight Leo Dent, a/k/a Pablo, age 24, of Laurel, pleaded guilty to their participation in the conspiracy. Hancock and Dent were sentenced to 100 months in prison and 7 years in prison, respectively. Fredericks is scheduled to be sentenced on January 27, 2017.

 

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, DEA, and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Nicolas A. Mitchell and Daniel C. Gardner, who prosecuted the case.