South Carolina Man Convicted in Drug Crimes

A 36 year-old former Army captain from Johns Island, South Carolina was convicted earlier this month of federal drug crimes. The defendant pleaded guilty to the crime of smuggling heroin into the country when he worked as a military contractor in Afghanistan. He was sentenced in a Delaware federal court to 10 years in a federal prison. He was formally charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute the drug. He and his accomplices apparently smuggled the heroin into the U.S. by hiding it in DVD cases. The convicted soldier was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was convicted of smuggling more than five pounds of the drug which translates to tens of thousands of drug doses on the street.

The Assistant U.S. Attorney on the case said that sentencing the man to a lengthy prison term would send a warning to other soldiers and military contractors working abroad about the consequences of international drug smuggling. Drug trafficking is defined under federal law as "unlawful distribution, possession with intent to distribute or manufacture, importation, and exportation." Being convicted of trafficking 100 to 999 grams of heroin carries a prison sentence of 5 to 40 years and fines of $5 to $25 million. A conviction of trafficking 1 kilogram or more carries penalties of 10 years to life and fines of $10 million to $50 million.

Criminal Defense Firm in Columbia, South Carolina

Federal crimes such as the drug crimes in the above case are a serious legal matter for those who are accused. These crimes are generally thoroughly investigated by federal law enforcement agencies that are persistent in their actions and backed by the full resources of the federal government. Anyone accused of a federal crime needs the representation of a defense attorney who is licensed to practice in federal court and who has the experience and skill to be effective against tough federal prosecutors.

Masella Law Firm, P.A. is a criminal defense firm located in Columbia that is ready to protect your rights and fight for an optimum case outcome in both state and federal courts. The firm has more than 25 years of experience. Its legal team has years of trial practice as well as backgrounds as a criminal prosecutor and municipal court judge. These attorneys have engaged in years of litigation in state and federal criminal courts in cases involving misdemeanors and felonies of all sorts, from drug crimes to DUI, domestic violence, sex crimes, theft and property crimes, white collar crimes, violent crimes, and more. Contact the firm to arrange to speak an attorney about your criminal defense case immediately following an arrest.