11-16-05 -- Chesney, Tallena K. -- Indictment -- News Release

Former Federal Grand Juror Indicted for Tipping off Major Camden Drug Dealer

CAMDEN - A former federal grand juror was indicted today for tipping off the leader of a major Camden drug ring that the grand jury had indicted him and his codefendants, which allowed Darnell Tuten to avoid arrest for two-and-a-half months, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Tallena K. Chesney, 29, of Gloucester Township, was charged in an two-count Indictment with conspiracy to obstruct the administration of justice and obstruction of the administration of justice, according to the Indictment.

On Jan. 19, 2005, Chesney was arrested and had an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Ann Marie Donio on a Criminal Complaint.

According to the Indictment, Chesney was a member of a federal grand jury impaneled on May 21, 2002, and sitting in Camden. On March 25, 2003, the grand jury returned a 32-count Indictment against members of the Tuten Organization, which was later docketed as United States v. Darnell Tuten, a/k/a "Big Lips," et al, Criminal No. 03-228 (FLW), according to the Indictment.

The grand jury heard testimony on the Tuten matter on March 25, 2003, as well as during the prior week's session on March 18. According to the Indictment, Chesney signed in as being present for both day's grand jury sessions.

According to the Indictment, on the date that Tuten and his codefendants were indicted Chesney contacted a friend, who is referred to in the Indictment only as "A.A.," via a text message and stated that she had to talk to A.A. about something important. Later that day, Chesney, met A.A. in Camden and informed A.A. that A.A.'s brother, Darnell Tuten, was the subject of a grand jury matter and that he was being charged as a leader of a drug organization. Again that day Chesney contacted A.A. and advised that Tuten had been indicted as the leader of a drug ring called the "Tuten Organization." Shortly thereafter, A.A. advised Tuten that he had been indicted by the grand jury.

After being informed of the Indictment, Tuten fled the Camden area to avoid arrest on the charges. According to the Indictment, between April 4 and 5, 2003, Chesney traveled from Philadelphia, where Tuten was hiding in a hotel, to Washington, D.C., with Tuten, A.A. and others. Tuten remained a fugitive until he was arrested the night of June 15, 2003, by federal agents and Pine Hill Police in Pine Hill.

Chesney's arraignment on the Indictment has not been scheduled at this time. Chesney remains free on a $75,000 unsecured appearance bond pending trial, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin T. Smith.

Count One charging conspiracy to obstruct the administration of justice carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Count Two charging obstruction of the administration of justice carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Despite Indictment, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

In determining an actual sentence, the judge to whom the case is assigned would, upon a conviction, consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges that take into account the severity and characteristics of the offense, the defendant's criminal history, if any, and other factors. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

Parole has been abolished in the federal system. Defendants who are given custodial terms must serve nearly all that time.

Christie credited Special Agents with FBI Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John C. Eckenrode, with developing the investigation.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin T. Smith and Jason Richardson of the Criminal Division in Camden.

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Defense Attorney: Edward Borden, Esq. Cherry Hill