Wilmington Drug Trafficker, Brian Wilson Sentenced to 21 Years in Federal Prison
A Wilmington drug trafficker was sentenced on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, to 21 years in prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine and heroin in Delaware. According to court documents, Brian Wilson, 39, was the leader of an extensive network of illegal drug dealers operating in and around the City of Wilmington.
Wilson’s conviction is the result of a long-term New Castle County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (“HIDTA”) investigation spearheaded by the FBI Delaware Violent Crime Safe Streets Taskforce. Investigators seized four firearms, over five kilograms of cocaine, and roughly 150 grams of heroin as part of the case. At sentencing, United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard P. Stark recognized that Wilson’s criminal conspiracy included acts of violence and witness intimidation. Wilson’s sentence was enhanced because he intimidated witnesses through third parties.
Photo/Sammis Reachers
Evidence presented at Wilson’s trial and at sentencing showed that Wilson directed co-defendant Thomas Brooks and others to sell heroin and cocaine on a daily basis. Evidence also demonstrated that Wilson conspired with others, such as Kenneth Flowers, to stash his drugs at secret locations. As a result, at sentencing the Court found that Wilson shared responsibility for a drug stash house robbery on November 3, 2016, during which three people broke into Thomas Brooks’ residence, gunfire was exchanged, and one person was shot. Wilmington Police Department responded and located a handgun, approximately 123 grams of cocaine and approximately 14 grams of heroin in the home.
Flowers was sentenced last month to 32 months in prison for storing 4.6 kilograms of cocaine in his home for Wilson. Brooks was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment last year.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “This sentence demonstrates that leaders of drug trafficking organizations will be held accountable for the damage they do to our community. We will continue to work with our federal partners and the Wilmington Police Department to identify, investigate, arrest, and convict criminals like Brian Wilson.
“I applaud the efforts of the Wilmington Police Department’s Drug, Organized Crime and Vice Division and the Criminal Investigations Division in working with our local law enforcement partners as well as with the FBI, ATF and US Marshals Service,” said Wilmington Police Chief Robert J. Tracy. “The result of this investigation is a prime example of how our collaborations bring criminals to justice and address issues that can impact the quality of life of our residents.”
David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Leonard P. Stark. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe and Assistant United States Attorney Alexander S. Mackler prosecuted the case. The FBI Delaware Violent Crime Safe Streets Taskforce is a part of the New Castle County HIDTA, comprised of the Delaware State Police, Delaware Department of Probation and Parole, New Castle County Police Department, University of Delaware Police Department, and Wilmington Police Department. The FBI was assisted in this case by Wilmington Police Department and the Delaware Attorney General’s Office.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District of Delawarefor the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-00093.
