DC Man Sentenced for Multi-Kilogram Cocaine Conspiracy

A Washington, DC man was sentenced yesterday to 70 months in prison for conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

According to court documents, since at least July 2019, Marcelin Saturne, 33, was a source of supply for multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine. Saturne acknowledged that he was personally involved in the distribution of, or it being reasonably foreseeable to him that his co-conspirators distributed, at least 15 kilograms but less than 50 kilograms of cocaine. At one point, Saturne brought cocaine to the greater Washington, DC area through parcels shipped from California where his source of supply was located. Saturne sold his cocaine for approximately $34,000-35,000 per kilogram.

In May 2021, Saturne met a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confidential source (CS) who represented himself to be a source for cocaine. Saturne advised the CS that he wanted to purchase 15 kilograms of cocaine from the CS. In June 2021, the CS advised Saturne that a shipment of cocaine would be arriving to the Washington, DC area soon. Saturne agreed to purchase 10 kilograms of cocaine from that shipment. Saturne was arrested after agreeing to purchase the requested cocaine and his residence was searched. Therein law enforcement located and seized approximately $35,640 in U.S. currency as well as high end jewelry valued at approximately $146,160.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Washington Field Division; and Michael L. Chapman, Loudoun County Sherriff, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M Brinkema.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bibeane Metsch and Michael BenAry prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No 1:21-cr-198.