11-30-04 -- Paulk, Leonard -- Conviction -- News Release

Camden Drug Wholesaler Found Guilty of Drug Conspiracy and Crack Cocaine Distribution

CAMDEN - A major Camden narcotics wholesale supplier was convicted by a federal jury today on two counts against him, closing the book on an organization that peddled drugs and protected its operations by threats and violence, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

After 4 ½ days of deliberations, the jury convicted Leonard Paulk, a/k/a "Pooh," 36, Camden, on two of the counts against him in the 12-count Second Superseding Indictment. The jury convicted Paulk on Count One of the Indictment charging conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, five kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. Paulk also was convicted of Count Three which charges that on March 26, 2002, he distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute approximately 115.4 grams of crack cocaine. The jury found Paulk not guilty on Count Four which charges that between December 2001 and February 2002, Paulk distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute approximately two kilograms of cocaine.

The jury failed to come to an agreement on Counts 9 through 12, which charge Paulk willfully engaged in monetary transactions at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City involving criminally derived property, specifically proceeds obtained from the sale of illegal narcotics, in amounts greater in value than $10,000. U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson, who presided over the nine-week trial, declared a mistrial on those four counts. At this time, no decision has been made as to whether the government will retry Paulk on those counts.

Lorenzo Hardwick, a/k/a "Fu Quan," 38, of Camden, was found not guilty of the conspiracy charge alleged against him in Count One, as well as two counts of using a telephone in furtherance of the conspiracy.

The jury failed to reach an agreement on the conspiracy charges alleged in Count One against codefendants Martin Johnson, a/k/a "Rahmeen," 36, Camden, and Stanley Crump, a/k/a "Mujahee," 38, Camden. The Government advised the Court today that it will retry Johnson and Crump on the conspiracy charges.

During the trial the jury heard testimony from Darnell Tuten, a/k/a "Big Lips," 32, of Camden, who pleaded guilty the conspiracy charge in Count One before Judge Wolfson on April 15 2004. During his plea hearing, Tuten admitting that from October 2000 until March 2003, he supplied bulk quantities of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine to many of his co-defendants, and that those drugs ultimately were sold at various drug corners in Camden. Tuten also admitted that during the time frame of the conspiracy, he obtained supplies of cocaine and heroin from two Camden illegal drug wholesalers. Specifically, Tuten admitted he obtained approximately two kilograms of cocaine from Leonard Paulk and quantities of heroin and cocaine from Alexander Pellot.

At trial, Tuten testified that Paulk supplied him with cocaine. Tuten also testified that Paulk asked him to look the other way while Paulk attempted to kill rival drug dealer Jeffrey "Jazzy" Jones. Jones was warned by Tuten, which caused friction between Paulk and Tuten.

The case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin T. Smith and Jason Richardson.

Judge Wolfson scheduled Paulk's sentencing hearing for March 11, 2005. Judge Wolfson continued Paulk's federal detention pending sentencing. Judge Wolfson also continued the federal detention of Johnson and Crump pending a retrial. Hardwick continues to be detained on unrelated federal charges that allege, as a member of the North Camden Perez drug gang, he was involved with the murder of Rutgers-Camden student Hiram Rosa.

Paulk faces a mandatory prison term of life. Parole has been abolished in the federal sentencing system. Defendants who are sentenced to custodial terms must complete nearly all of the sentence before being released.

For their respective roles in the investigation leading to a successful prosecution, Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI Southern New Jersey Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John C. Eckenrode, in Philadelphia; Investigators of the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi; the Camden Police Department, under the direction of Chief Edwin J. Figueroa; the Camden County Sheriff's Department, under the direction of Sheriff Michael W. McLaughlin; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Joseph R. Fuentes; the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Pasterchick; the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton; the U.S. Marshal's Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal James T. Plousis, with developing the investigation; and Special Agents of the IRS Criminal Investigation section, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia J. Haynes.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin T. Smith and Jason M. Richardson of the U.S. Attorney's Office Criminal Division in Camden.

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Defense Attorneys:

Paulk - Dennis Cogan, Esq. & Christopher Warren, Esq. Philadelphia

Hardwick - Jerome Ballarotto, Esq. Trenton

Johnson - Brian McMonage, Esq. Philadelphia

Crump - Scott Krasny, Esq. Trenton