Donnell E. Berry, 37, of Baltimore, was sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, announced U. S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod Rosenstein. U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus also ordered Berry to pay a $10,000 fine.
According to the statement of facts presented at his guilty plea on March 15, from at least April 2003 through June 2, 2004, Donnell Berry conspired with Luis Mangual and others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 15 to 50 kilograms or more of cocaine. 50 kilograms converts to 110 pounds.
Berry and Mangual were associates while serving prison sentences from prior convictions in the 1990’s.
From April 10, 2003 through June 1, 2004, records showed 423 contacts between cellular telephones used by Berry and Mangual. Berry was repeatedly intercepted asking Mangual about pending shipments of cocaine.
On April 26, 2004, Mangual received a multi-kilogram shipment of cocaine. The next day he started to contact his customers, including Berry. Mangual advised Berry during the call that he had gone deep sea fishing and caught marlins. Berry replied in a follow-up call that the girl just had her fourth birthday, indicating that he wished to receive four kilograms of cocaine from Mangual.
On June 2, 2004, agents arrested Berry at his home and recovered over $250,000, cellular phones and documents.
Mangual, 45, of Washington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as 27 additional drug related offenses, including money laundering. Mangual’s sentencing is scheduled for October 16.
The case was investigated by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Montgomery and Prince George’s County Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah Johnston and Bonnie Greenberg are prosecuting the case.