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GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR CRACK COCAINE DISTRIBUTION
Defendant Federally Prosecuted as Part of Anti-Gang, Drug Market Initiative
JAMELL WEBB, 25, of Seattle, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. WEBB is an admitted member of a street gang known as the East Union Street Hustlers. The gang has been in a long-running and violent feud with a rival gang. WEBB was arrested for dealing crack cocaine in an area that has been targeted by law enforcement because of the heavy drug activity.
WEBB was identified as part of the federal Drug Market Initiative, designed to target areas of high drug dealing activity. In this case, WEBB was observed dealing crack cocaine at 23rd and Union – an area targeted by law enforcement. In addition, WEBB’s gang affiliation brought him to the attention of law enforcement. WEBB was arrested on May 12, 2010, after officers observed WEBB participating in drug sales at 23rd and Union. When officers moved in to arrest WEBB he ran and attempted to drop the bags of crack he was carrying. WEBB pleaded guilty on August 10, 2010.
In asking for a significant sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Vince Lombardi highlighted WEBB’s lengthy criminal history with prior drug trafficking and assault convictions. Mr. Lombardi noted that WEBB’s gang affiliation also got him on the radar of federal law enforcement. In his sentencing memo Mr. Lombardi described the Drug Market Initiative, writing to the court that, “The East Union corridor has long been characterized by open drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including gun violence. Law enforcement has made a concerted effort to address this problem. Those efforts have included tough and targeted enforcement action, as well as creative alternatives to simply arresting offenders. Those efforts have made a difference, based both on community feedback and enforcement statistics.”
The case was investigated by the FBI, and the Seattle Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vince Lombardi.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.