Heroin Dealer Who Absconded Prior to Sentencing in 2018 and Was Recently Found in Jamaica Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison

LOS ANGELES – A former chef who pleaded guilty in 2018 to a heroin trafficking offense – and was a fugitive for more than four years before being arrested in Jamaica earlier this year – was sentenced today to 121 months in federal prison.

Devon Bennett, 54, who resided in Hawthorne when he absconded prior to a sentencing hearing in September 2018, was sentenced this morning by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer. After his release from prison, Bennett will be subject to a five-year period of supervised release.

Following Bennett’s flight from justice, Judge Fischer imposed a sentence that was 51 months longer than the 70 months prosecutors had initially recommended in 2018.

Bennett pleaded guilty in May 2018 to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, admitting that he and others used his apartment to package and ship heroin and other drugs through the U.S. Mail.

While free on a $50,000 bond and shortly before his original sentencing hearing in September 2018, Bennett fled. Judge Fischer issued an arrest warrant and, soon after, an order forfeiting his bond. Bennett’s third-party surety has since paid the United States more than $40,000 as a result of Bennett’s decision to flee from justice.

In early February, law enforcement authorities in Jamaica located and arrested Bennett at the request of the United States. Bennett consented to extradition and was subsequently surrendered to the United States on March 8.

The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this matter, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Los Angeles Police Department.

The United States Marshals Service, the Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team, the Jamaica Constabulary Force – Counterterrorism and Organized Crime Branch, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing Bennett’s arrest and return to Los Angeles.

Assistant United States Attorney Benedetto L. Balding of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section prosecuted this case. Assistant United States Attorney Robert I. Lester of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section handled the bond forfeiture.