Member of Baltimore Heroin Distribution Organization Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Irvin Buckson, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 12 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute heroin. Buckson admitted that he is a career offender based on a previous drug conviction and a conviction for 2nd degree murder.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Brisolari of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts; and Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department.

“The Drug Enforcement Administration working in partnership with the Baltimore Police Department and the Baltimore County Police Department dismantled a drug trafficking organization that distributed large amounts of heroin throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area,” stated Robert Brisolari, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division. “A career criminal offender will no longer be walking the streets of Maryland,” added Brisolari.

According to his guilty plea, from 2009 to June 2010, Buckson was a member of a drug distribution organization that operated in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. During the investigation, law enforcement seized drugs and drug paraphernalia from members of the conspiracy as well as large sums of cash and two firearms. Law enforcement also intercepted cell phone conversations between Buckson and other conspirators, during which they discussed their drug distribution.

Co-conspirators Kevin Hently, age 53, and Curtis Connor, age 47, both of Baltimore were each sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to their roles in the organization. Co-conspirators Craig Scott, age 52, of New York, New York; and Patrick West, age 44, of Baltimore, also pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 90 months in prison and 51 months in prison, respectively. Anthony Hendrickson, age 48, and Damon Reeder, age 40, both of Baltimore, also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, Baltimore Police Department and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney John W. Sippel, Jr., who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.