Greenbelt, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Donnell Williamson, a/k/a “Anthony Thomas," age 25, of Landover, Maryland, today to 198 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division (ATF); and Interim Chief Henry P. Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, between September 2013 and Oct. 29, 2013, Williamson conspired with Ted Duckett and others to rob certain drug dealers operating in Maryland, and conspired to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
On Oct. 10, 2013, Duckett met an ATF undercover agent (UC) posing as a disgruntled drug courier to discuss robbing a drug stash house. During this meeting, the UC explained how he would be transporting 2 to 3 kilograms of cocaine from a narcotics “stash house," which would contain approximately 12 to 15 kilograms of cocaine. The UC further explained that he planned to rob the cocaine stash house, which was protected by armed guards, and would split the stolen cocaine (12 to 15 kilograms) with whoever helped him commit the robbery. Duckett agreed to commit the robbery and discussed how he and his crew planned to execute the robbery and obtain the cocaine. Duckett assured the UC that he had the equipment necessary to rob a stash house protected by armed guards. Duckett also told the UC that he would bring his robbery crew to future meetings with the UC. While Duckett was meeting with the UC, Williamson was waiting for Duckett in a car parked nearby.
On Oct. 23, 2013, Duckett and Williamson met the UC at a location in Maryland. During this meeting, Williamson advised the UC that the robbery crew would execute the robbery inside the stash house. Williamson then asked the UC “do you want it to be clean? Do you want them to stay alive?" When the UC indicated it doesn’t matter, Williamson replied “enough said, enough said." During the conversation, Williamson confirmed the particulars of the robbery by repeating the quantity of cocaine that would be located in the stash house and that two guards would be protecting the drugs. Williamson assured the UC that the robbery crew would remove the firearm from the armed guard stationed at the entrance of the stash house. All of the meetings with the UC were audio and video recorded.
On Oct. 29, 2013, the UC and Duckett spoke on the telephone and Duckett confirmed that they were ready to commit the robbery. Duckett and Williamson drove together and met the UC in Laurel, Maryland. The UC told Ducket that the rental car which they were going to use to commit the robbery was at a nearby location. The UC asked Williamson and Duckett if they wanted to put their “straps," which is code for firearms, in the UC’s vehicle before driving to the rental car location. Williamson removed a duffel bag from his vehicle, and placed it in the trunk of the UC’s vehicle. Duckett and Williamson then followed the UC in their own vehicle to the location where the conspirators believed they would pick up the rental car and receive the location of the cocaine stash house. Shortly after they arrived at the location, the law enforcement arrest team placed Williamson and Duckett under arrest.
A search of the duffel bag that Williamson had placed in the UC’s vehicle revealed three firearms and ammunition and clear plastic gloves. From the conspirators and their vehicle, officers recovered black skull caps, a black balaclava, and a black ski mask.
Ted Duckett, age 31, of Landover, pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 16, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.
Duckett and Williamson have been detained since their arrest.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan and Leah J. Bressack, who prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
