CAMDEN, N.J. – Two New Jersey men were sentenced to prison today for their roles in a conspiracy to rob a drug stash house of multiple kilograms of cocaine that they believed would be stored at the location, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Robert Smith, a/k/a “Born,” 43, of Trenton, New Jersey, and Derrick Adams, a/k/a “Little D,” 30, of Florence and Willingboro, New Jersey, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman to 360 and 120 months in prison, respectively.
Following a one-week jury trial in April 2016, Smith was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine, possessing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence and a drug trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm as a previously-convicted felon. Adams pleaded guilty in November 2015 to conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence admitted at trial:
In January 2014, the conspirators planned a gunpoint robbery of a drug stash house in order to steal kilograms of cocaine from dealers at the location. During the investigation, Smith was recorded discussing his willingness, if necessary, to kill the occupants of the stash house. Smith and Adams, in text message conversations and recorded communications, discussed their plan to rob the stash house while posing as law enforcement.
Special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrested Smith, Adams, and four other conspirators when they arrived at a meeting location in Maple Shade, New Jersey, on Jan. 30, 2014. After searching the conspirators and their vehicles, the agents recovered five firearms – including a sawed-off shotgun and two stolen handguns – as well as numerous rounds of ammunition, a ballistics vest, masks, gloves, and zip ties.
In addition to the prison terms, Judge Hillman also ordered Smith and Adams to each serve five years of supervised release.
Three other conspirators, Daquon Basnight, 25, Jamiil McFarlane, 24, and Morris Muse, 36, all of Trenton, New Jersey, were previously sentenced before Judge Hillman. A sixth conspirator, Sean Forman, 43, of Willingboro, New Jersey, awaits sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents with the ATF Camden Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George P. Belsky in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentences. He also thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Maple Shade Field Office, as well as the Burlington City and Burlington Township police departments, for their assistance in this case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin C. Danilewitz and Howard Wiener of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.