A Camden man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for selling crack cocaine, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Officials say Karim Johnson, a/k/a “Chicky,” 39, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. Judge Bumb imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Johnson admitted that he sold crack cocaine and furanyl fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, around the 1700 block of Filmore Street in Camden. Johnson and nine other members of the drug ring were initially arrested in June 2017 following a long-term investigation by the FBI, which utilized multiple telephone wiretaps, surveillance, confidential informants, cooperating witnesses, more than 20 controlled drug purchases, a GPS vehicle tracker and four court-authorized search warrants, among other investigative techniques. Members of the drug trafficking organization distributed crack cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin to users and resellers in and around Camden and to people cooperating with the FBI.
The investigation ultimately led to the seizure of more than 300 grams of crack cocaine, quantities of fentanyl and heroin, a firearm, drug paraphernalia, and recent charges against an eleventh member of the organization, Davon Leak, 19.
Four other defendants – Daron Suiter, 24, George Williams, 44, Latoya Whealton, a/k/a “Toya,” 34, and Rajai Gaines, a/k/a “Jigga,” 36 – have previously pleaded guilty. Suiter was sentenced on Aug. 9, 2018, to 60 months imprisonment; the other defendants are awaiting sentencing.
Drug and firearm charges remain pending in a second superseding indictment against six other defendants, including alleged leaders John Gunther, a/k/a “Critty,” 35; and Taleaf Gunther, a/k/a “Leafy” and “L,” 32; as well as alleged members William Roland, a/k/a “Chill,” 36; Mark Campbell, a/k/a “D” and Diz,” 28; Malcolm McCoy, 26; and Rajai Gaines, a/k/a “Jigga,” 36.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Johnson to eight years of supervised release and 300 hours of community service.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.