Two Morristown NJ men were recently sentenced for running a major cocaine distribution operation.
The two suspects pleaded guilty earlier this year to first degree cocaine distribution.
According to authorities, one suspect obtained bulk quantities of cocaine from the other suspect; he then processed and repackaged the cocaine for sale.
According to one of the defense attorneys in the case, the two defendants were childhood friends. During trial, defense attorneys said that the suspects did not usually traffic large amounts of cocaine; instead, it was argued, the suspects acquired the extra quantities because they were prompted to do so by the undercover investigator.
At a sentencing hearing in Morris County Superior Court in Morristown, the judge sentenced one of the defendants to 13 years in NJ State Prison; the other defendant was sentenced to 10 years in NJ State Prison. Each man will be required to serve roughly 5 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Both men had criminal records, which was reportedly a factor during sentencing. In fact, one of the defendants had six prior indictable convictions, including four prior drug convictions; the other defendant has seven prior drug convictions.
Although prosecutors argued that one of the suspects was allegedly a high-ranking member of the Bloods street gang, the judge said that this did not play a role in the sentencing decision.
For more information, check out the NJ.com article entitled “Morristown Cocaine Dealer at Sentencing: ‘I’m Not a Bad Person.’”
