GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN -Kenneth Pointer, a/k/a “Chopper" of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment, followed by 10 years’ supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou on Jan. 26, 2022, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Birge. Because Mr. Pointer was found guilty of possessing and distributing a large quantity of drugs and because he had been previously convicted of multiple controlled substance offenses, Pointer was subject to higher penalties. Due to his status as a career offender, Mr. Pointer faced a United States Sentencing Guidelines range of 30 years to life imprisonment.
Between April 2017 and November 2019, law enforcement agencies investigated Mr. Pointer’s ongoing drug trafficking enterprise. Mr. Pointer trafficked drugs from Detroit to Lansing where he divided and packaged them for sale. Mr. Pointer supplied users and other dealers in the Lansing area. During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 4.5 kilograms of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl from Mr. Pointer and residences used by Mr. Pointer in the Lansing area. At sentencing, Judge Jarbou found that Mr. Pointer operated a drug house to facilitate his drug trafficking and that Mr. Pointer’s criminal history showed that he had made a career out of drug trafficking activities.
“My office is committed to supporting local partner law enforcement agencies to stop the trafficking of illegal drugs. Those like Mr. Pointer, who make a career of dealing dangerous drugs, such as fentanyl and cocaine, will get our attention and face a very long time in prison, away from the communities they endanger," said U.S. Attorney Birge.
"This investigation, and the subsequent sentencing, demonstrates the commitment of DEA and partner agencies to pursue and disrupt drug dealers who are inflicting harm upon communities with dangerous and illegal narcotics," said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Kent Kleinschmidt.
Michigan State Police Tri-County Metro Narcotics Team Commander Detective Lieutenant Bill Eberhardt said, “We are grateful to the DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their diligence on this investigation. We support the judge’s sentencing decision and believe it recognizes the significant negative impact the defendant has had on the greater Lansing area. Tri-County Metro Narcotics will continue to work with our local and federal partners to investigate drug crimes in the Tri-County area, endeavoring to keep our citizens and communities safe."
“The Lansing Police Department appreciates the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal resources, when it comes to criminal investigations. Prosecutions and sentences such as this are an excellent example of the quality of work and the impact these efforts can produce," said Lansing Police Department Chief Ellery Sosebee.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan C. Roth, and Kristin M. Pinkston and investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Lansing Police Department, and the Michigan State Police Department Tri-County Metro Narcotics Team.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
