Man Convicted of Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy, Dog Fighting

Memphis, TN – After a five-day trial, a federal jury convicted a man of conspiring to distribute multiple kilograms of cocaine and launder large sums of drug proceeds. Prior to the trial, the defendant pleaded guilty to partaking in a dog fighting enterprise. Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the guilty verdict today.

According to information presented in court, Daniel Scott Sr., aka Old School, 51, of Memphis, Tennessee, conspired with several others to distribute and did distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine between March 2014 and May 2015. Scott also conspired with others to launder hundreds of thousands of dollars obtained from trafficking cocaine.

Over the same time period, Scott conspired with others to locate and develop various properties to serve as the staging area for housing and training American Pit Bull Terriers and hosting dog fighting gambling shows. Additionally, pit bulls were purchased, trained and bred for participation in the dog fight gambling shows.

On Monday, May 9, 2016, Scott pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in dog fighting before U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr.

On Friday, May 13, 2016, a federal jury convicted Scott of one count of conspiring with others to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute more than five kilos of cocaine; and one count of conspiring with the intent to launder and launder drug trafficking proceeds.

• On the drug conspiracy charge, Scott faces a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10 million.

• On the money laundering charge, he faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $500,000.

• On the dog fighting conspiracy charge, he faces up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $500,000.

Scott is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Fowlkes on Friday, August 5, 2016.

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force. The collective is comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement personnel.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Stringfellow and Michelle Parks are prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.