Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces the sentencing of George R. Washington, 51, of Morristown.
On May 24, 2016, Washington pled guilty to third degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine and second degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances.
As part of the plea agreement, Washington forfeited $8,330 in United States currency and two motor vehicles.
On Friday, June 3, 2016, the Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr. sentenced Washington to eight (8) years in New Jersey State Prison. Washington is required to serve forty two months before being considered for parole.
On a motion by the State for an extended prison term, the Court imposed the sentence based upon Mr. Washington’s status as a repeat offender related to drug distribution.
Judge Taylor also imposed a concurrent seven year state prison term on the Conspiracy count. Mr. Washington is the first defendant of the twenty five (25) arrested in connection with the investigation, to be sentenced.
In January 2016, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Enforcement Unit/Narcotics Task Force, developed intelligence that George R. Washington and his brother Ronald G. Washington were obtaining a significant supply of heroin and cocaine from a source in Passaic County. The imported cocaine and heroin was then sold in Morristown, Victory Gardens, Dover, and surrounding areas.
The three month long investigation culminated in March 2016, with the arrest of Washington and twenty four other individuals.
Also, the execution of several search warrants resulted in the seizure of fifty five grams of cocaine, fourteen hundred individual folds of heroin, over $33,500 in United States currency, various packaging and drug distribution-related materials, handgun ammunition and eleven motor vehicles.