TWO MEN TOUTING THEIR COMMITMENT TO DRUG TRAFFICKING ON YOU TUBE VIDEO CONVICTED IN FEDERAL COURT

Martin C. Carlson, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that Jamel E. Easter, age 24, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Carlton L. Easter, age 20, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Joseph J. Moore, age 21, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were found guilty in the courtroom of United States District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of crack cocaine and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of crack cocaine. Additionally, Jamel Easter was also found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Testimony at the three-day trial revealed that on March 29, 2007, a confidential informant working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Harrisburg Bureau of Police, and Dauphin County Drug Task Force made an arrangement for a drug transaction involving nine ounces of crack cocaine with Jamel Easter. Jamel Easter, along with Carlton Easter and Moore arrived for the drug transaction. Under surveillance and wearing a wire, the confidential informant entered Jamel Easter’s vehicle to complete the drug transaction. Arrest teams responded and attempted to take them into custody. Jamel Easter sped away from officers down the sidewalk of a residential city street. With officers following, the confidential informant rolled out of the car as the vehicle with the $6,000 in cash and left the vehicle with him. With the cash blowing in the wind behind them, the car crashed a block later. Jamel Easter and Moore fled the scene but Carlton Easter was unable to flee because his leg was injured from a previous shooting incident. Both men were later arrested after hiding in an abandoned house. One of the officers was injured when he fell threw the abandoned house’s floor.

Both Jamel Easter and Moore were depicted in a 2005 You Tube video rapping and displaying a variety of guns. Moore describes in the video that he will never stop selling drugs no matter how many times he goes to jail.

Jamel Easter is facing a 15-year mandatory minimum prison sentence with a maximum of life in prison. Carlton Easter and Joseph Moore are both facing a 10-year mandatory minimum prison sentence with a maximum of life in prison.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and prosecuted by Dauphin County Senior Deputy District Attorney Michael Consiglio who is cross-designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.

Acting U.S. Attorney Carlson praised the hard work of the investigating agencies and went on to note, “Today, two drug dealers who touted on the Internet their continued involvement in drug trafficking have quickly learned that local, state and federal agencies are committed to investigating and prosecuting drug traffickers across the Middle District.”

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