Defendants in Deadly Drug Distribution Scheme Sentenced to Federal Prison

DETROIT –  The last of seven defendants in a drug conspiracy that resulted in overdoses and at least one death was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Today, United States District Court Judge Bernard A. Friedman sentenced Lavante Brown, 30, of Detroit. Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death on May 16, 2023.

An FBI investigation revealed that, for years, a group of dealers operated an on-demand drive through for drugs, including crack cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, on Yacama street in Detroit, Michigan. Drug customers who drove down the street were served at their car window with drugs at any time of day, as many times as they could afford. Residents of the area had been plagued with this incessant drug activity, resulting in home abandonments, which were, in turn, used to further the distribution. Drugs sold from Yacama street caused many overdoses, including at least one fatal overdose.

Seven members of the conspiracy, most of whom had lengthy criminal histories, were charged in federal court. All seven pleaded guilty to offenses related to the sales of controlled substances on Yacama, before United States District Judge Bernard A. Friedman. The co-defendants, and their sentences, are listed below:

• Anthony Foster, 38, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
• Willie Swift, 58, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to over 10 years in prison.
• Terrance Hall, 34, of Eastpointe, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
• Dana Hudson, 46, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
• David Terry, 41, of Harper Woods, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to over 4 years in prison.
• Justin Fields, 33, of Rochester Hills, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to one day custody with credit for time-served, followed by three years of supervised release.

“These defendants believed that they could take over areas of our city, destroy neighborhoods, and risk others’ lives with impunity, but these sentences should serve as notice that federal law enforcement will not stand idly by while drug dealers do harm to our community,” U.S. Attorney Ison said. “

"Today's sentencing marks a significant victory in our relentless fight against opioid trafficking and its devastating impact on our community," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "This case sends a strong message that we will not tolerate activities that endanger our citizens' lives and will continue to work tirelessly to hold those responsible accountable. I commend the diligent efforts of the FBI's Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force in bringing these criminals to justice."

This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Hindelang.