12-19-05 -- Paulk, Leonard -- Sentencing -- News Release

Camden Drug Wholesaler Sentenced To Life In Federal Prison For Crack Cocaine Distribution

CAMDEN – A major Camden narcotics wholesale supplier was sentenced to life in federal prison today for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine, closing the book on an organization that protected its operations by threats and violence, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Under the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson, Leonard Paulk, a/k/a “Pooh,” 37, will serve the rest of his life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. Judge Wolfson also ordered Paulk to pay $15,000 in fines, which he must pay off with his prison earnings.

On Nov.30, 2004, after 4 ½ days of deliberations, a jury convicted Paulk on Count One of a 12-count Second Superseding 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 grams of crack cocaine.

During the trial the jury heard testimony from Darnell Tuten, a/k/a “Big Lips,” 32, of Camden, who was indicted in March 2003, along with Paulk and 11 others, and pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge before Judge Wolfson on April 15, 2004. Tuten testified 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 testified that he obtained the supplies of cocaine and heroin from Paulk and Alexander Pellot.

Tuten and other trial witnesses also testified that Paulk used violence to maintain control over his drug empire to include a shooting in downtown Camden and an attempted murder plot of a rival dealer. Tuten testified that Paulk asked him to look the other way while Paulk attempted to kill rival drug dealer Jeffrey “Jazzy” Jones. Jones, however, was warned by Tuten.

“This gang’s ruthless rule over Camden’s neighborhoods is now just a horrible memory, as is the likes of other drug gangs such as the Rivera/Febo/Figueroa organization and the Perez organization,” Christie said. “The tactics amongst the drug gangs of intimidation and even murder of rivals demonstrates why law enforcement agencies at all levels of government must remain vigilant and united in our fight to eradicate the drug trade from Camden’s neighborhoods. This sentence of life in prison should send a vivid and real message to anyone who wants to fill the shoes of people like Paulk and the others.”

In determining an actual sentence, Judge Wolfson consulted the advisory 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. Here, the defendant was facing a statutory mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

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; 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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Dennis Cogan, Esq. & Christopher Warren, Esq. Philadelphia, Pa.

Peter Goldberger, Esq. Ardmore, Pa.