Trenton Man Indicted on Crack Cocaine Distribution Charges

TRENTON – A Trenton man was indicted today for selling crack cocaine on three occasions to an undercover law enforcement officer, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

David Butler, 26, a.k.a. “David Williams” and “Todd Day,” was indicted on three counts of possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine in Trenton. The federal Indictment is the result of an investigation by the N.J. Division of Criminal Justice, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and the Trenton Police Department.

According to the Indictment, Butler distributed crack cocaine to an undercover state narcotics investigator on Feb. 22, Feb. 24, and March 1, 2006. According to state charges, Butler sold 10 grams of crack cocaine to the undercover officer on the first date, 17 grams of crack on the second date, and was in possession of approximately 60 grams of crack cocaine when arrest on March 1.

According to police reports, Butler is known to law enforcement as a member of Gangster Killer Bloods (GKB), also known as G-Shine bloods, of Trenton.

Counts One and Two of the Indictment charge distribution and possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of crack cocaine. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, and $ 2 million fine. Count Three charges distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, which carries mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life, and a fine of $4 million.

In determining an actual sentence, the judge to whom the case is assigned would, upon a conviction, consult the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges that take into account the severity and characteristics of the offense, the defendant's criminal history, if any, and other factors. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence. Parole has been abolished in the federal system. Defendants who are given custodial terms must serve nearly all that time.

Despite indictment, all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Christie credited Investigators with the N.J. Division of Criminal Justice, under the direction of Gregory Paw, Director, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini, Jr., the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Joseph Santiago, Director, and the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Leslie G. Wiser, Jr., with the investigation leading to the Indictment.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Askin of the Criminal Division in Trenton.