Renea Darby Richardson
#09002-018
Federal Sentence: 22 years
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base; Possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base
Court: Middle District of Florida
Priors: None
Date of Sentencing: 7/20/89
Date of Birth: 10/20/66
Projected Release Date: 1/29/2008
Nature of Offense: Renea was peripherally involved in a 22-person crack cocaine conspiracy through her boyfriend, acting only as a “mule” and transporting cocaine from Miami to Jacksonville, Florida on one or two occasions, she reports. On November 30, 1988 authorities in the Jacksonville area were about to execute a search warrant at an apartment where the conspiracy “cooked” crack when Renea and four other members of the conspiracy left the building. Police apprehended them and brought them back to the apartment where they executed a search warrant, finding 596.1 grams of cocaine base, cocaine paraphernalia, other cooking items, and five guns. Authorities executed several more search warrants, and altogether, the conspiracy was held accountable to approximately 900 grams of cocaine base.
Even though Renea argued that she had no other involvement with the criminal activity other than through her boyfriend, Renea was held accountable for all of the activities of the conspiracy. She went to trial, and she was convicted primarily on the testimony of another member of the conspiracy who testified against her and her 21 codefendants. She was sentenced to 22 years; Renea was only 22 years old at the time.
Guideline Sentence: Renea was held accountable for about 900 grams of cocaine base. More than 500 grams warrants a base offense level of 36. Although her Pre-Sentence Investigation Report says Renea “primarily functioned within the conspiracy as a ‘mule’…” she did not receive a mitigating role adjustment. Renea did receive a two-point enhancement for the guns involved in the conspiracy despite the fact that a jury found her not guilty of one count of Use of a Firearm and Causing Others to Use a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. Renea’s total offense level of 38 combined with a criminal history category of I produced a sentence guideline range of 235-293 months or 19 years, 7 months to 24 years, 5 months.
Sentences of Others Involved: Renea’s boyfriend was sentenced to 40 years. Numerous others received life sentences, including Angele Brooks—also a FAMM case profile. The lead investigator for the DEA on the case later resigned for tampering with evidence when he stole seized drugs. He did not go to prison. The government’s lead witness avoided a life sentence and received a three-year term at a prison for youthful offenders. He was released about five months later. However, he was arrested again in less than a month for selling cocaine and escaped that eight-year sentence by again testifying against defendants in a trial. He then returned to selling drugs a year later but was shot to death during a drug deal.
Personal Background: Renea had lived with her boyfriend for about one and a half years prior to their arrest. Together, they have a son who is now 14 years old. Renea learned of her pregnancy one month after her arrest. She gave birth in prison on August 1, 1989 but spent only five days with him. Renea reports that the father of her child asked the judge to divide their sentences so that their child would have a parent. The judge refused. Renea’s disabled mother was left to care for the child. Since she has been in prison, Renea has joined the Vocational Training Office Program and taken many computer classes. She reports, “I am grateful for the education and try to get all I can.”
Complied from PSR and inmate information.
6/19/98 dl; revised 1/22/04 JC