Gerald Toney
Jerry Alexander Jr.A federal judge Monday sentenced another "worst of the worst" criminal to a nearly 11-year prison stay after he was arrested in 2013 for his role in a widespread drug conspiracy.
Gerald Toney, 35, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute more than an ounce of crack cocaine, Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Poole said. The court also recommended a mental health evaluation and 500 hours of substance abuse treatment, records show.
A four-year federal investigation that ended in November 2013 netted 32 area men who were labeled by city officials as the "worst of the worst" drug criminals. Since that time, a majority of the men have been indicted separately, taken plea deals, or pleaded guilty in court. Toney is the latest to be sentenced.
Earlier this month, Jerry Alexander Jr., who was charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of cocaine, became the first defendant to go to trial.
Jurors convicted the 48-year-old of conspiring to distribute less than 28 grams of crack, a significantly lower charge than the 280 grams of crack cocaine and more than 5 kilograms of powder cocaine the federal government said he conspired to distribute.
During the trial, Alexander's longtime friend, LaJeromeny Brown, 37, testified against him to fulfill his plea bargain.
Jurors listened while Brown detailed the drug business that characterized his adult life. Four phone calls recorded on a wiretap between Alexander and Brown helped tie them to the conspiracy.
Brown sold weekly to Alexander, he said, and trusted his friend with his stash whenever he left town.
He also fed Alexander's addiction.
Brown will spend anywhere from 10 years to life in prison, but hopes his testimony in court will help minimize his sentence.
Contact staff writer Zack Peterson at 423-757-6347 or zpeterson@timesfreepress.com. Follow @zackpeterson918.