FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MONDAY - January 31, 2011

RALEIGH MAN SENTENCED FOR DRUG DISTRIBUTION

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court today United States District Judge James C. Dever III, sentenced RODNEY BURRELL, 23, of Raleigh, North Carolina, to 300 months’ imprisonment followed by eight years supervised release.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on February 24, 2010. On July 20, 2010, BURRELL pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (crack), and aiding and abetting.

According to the investigation, on March 19, 2009, officers conducting surveillance on Haywood Street observed BURRELL and his brother engaging in what appeared to be drug transactions.

When officers approached, both subjects threw down small white objects. BURRELL took off running, while his brother was detained. BURRELL was found shortly after the incident hiding inside a van. In searching the van officers found 62 bags of crack and $1008 in currency.

According to court documents, on May 25, 2009, BURRELL’s brother was shot to death outside his residence near where the drugs had been sold. The Burrell brothers were both gang members and investigators have determined that the killing resulted from their refusal to pay “rent” to a rival gang for the privilege of selling drugs on that gang’s turf. Investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Raleigh Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Goulian represented the government.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.