CRACK SELLER FACES 40 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Nelson P. Cohen announced that on October 30, 2007, Montriel Ramont Esaw, a resident of Anchorage, Alaska, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of selling crack cocaine.

Esaw, age 23, of 5215 East 26 th Avenue in Anchorage, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of controlled substances before United States District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess.

In connection with the guilty plea, Special Assistant United States Attorney Christine M. Thoreson advised the court that Esaw sold a total of 21.1 grams of crack over three occasions in early 2007. Also, at the time of his arrest, Esaw was in possession of 20.4 grams of crack, 16.7 grams of marijuana, and $2,001.00 in drug sale proceeds.

Judge Burgess announced that sentencing will take place the week of January 28, 2007, with a specific date and time to be determined. The law provides for a total sentence of forty years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Esaw’s detention.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, comprised of Anchorage police officers and FBI agents, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. SAUSA Thoreson is one of two prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who are funded by the Municipality of Anchorage for the purpose of prosecuting gang-related and violent crime cases.

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