U.S. Attorney Mark A. Totten | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Mark Totten, announced that a federal jury has convicted Srecko Darnell Walker, 35, from Muskegon. Walker was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, along with charges of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He is set to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou on April 9, 2025. Walker faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and could receive up to life imprisonment.
"Mr. Walker and his associates were trafficking large quantities of drugs into Michigan, which ruin lives and fracture neighborhoods," stated U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. "As part of our mission to keep Michigan safe, we’re focused on disrupting the supply lines that bring these poisons into our communities. This case is a good example of that work."
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that in 2021 and 2022, Walker collaborated with Steven Rasic, a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier based in Muskegon, to transport kilograms of cocaine from their supplier in Texas, Hugo Benavides, into West Michigan. The shipments were sent to vacant addresses along Rasic's mail route. Both Rasic and Benavides pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges before the trial commenced and are awaiting sentencing.
During the investigation, law enforcement seized five kilograms of cocaine intended for distribution in West Michigan by Walker and his co-conspirators. In March 2022, two kilograms were confiscated by investigators after which Rasic attempted to retrieve the parcel under false pretenses as an employee of the U.S. Postal Service acting on behalf of Walker.
Further investigations in October 2022 witnessed Walker distributing cocaine in Muskegon; subsequent searches at his residence uncovered additional cocaine supplies alongside tools used for drug preparation.
Walker admitted during questioning that he had been importing cocaine through postal services since at least 2021 when he sold his first kilogram.
"Today’s verdict sends a clear message that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service...is committed to dismantling drug trafficking organizations that misuse the U.S. Mail for their illegal activities," said Acting Inspector in Charge Felicia B. George from Detroit Division USPIS.
"The men and women of the DEA Detroit Division remain committed...to make our communities a safer place," added Orville Green from DEA's Detroit Field Division.
The case is being investigated by USPIS alongside DEA agents and MSP's West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET), while Assistant U.S Attorneys Austin J Hakes & Stephanie M Carowan lead prosecution efforts.
