Seven People Indicted for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute

MINNEAPOLIS—A federal indictment unsealed yesterday charged seven individuals with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. Heriberto Sanchez, age 24; Musaaleh Waheed Muhammad, age 35; William Elijah Carter, age 27; Rossco Antonio Ross, age 34; Charles Eric Jackson, Jr., age 44; Gregory Leroy Carter, age 25; and Travis Sentell Peeler, age 32, were charged with possessing five kilograms or more of cocaine and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute them. Carter was also charged with one count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. The indictment, which was filed on July 23, 2012, was unsealed following the defendants’ initial appearance in federal court.

According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine between March 2009 and March 2012. On February 5, 2012, Carter allegedly possessed a Taurus 9mm pistol in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

If convicted, each defendant faces a potential penalty of life in prison. Carter also faces a potential penalty of five years in prison if convicted for carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Safe Streets is a FBI-sponsored task force that focuses on combating violent street crime as well as gang and drug trafficking offenses. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.