New Jersey man sentenced to federal prison on drug trafficking charges
Arrested and convicted in Maryland after attempting to drive through Maryland with cocaine base
BALTIMORE — A New Jersey man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for cocaine possession and distribution related charges following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Maryland State Police.
Timothy Wilson, 43, of Toms River, N.J., was sentenced March 7 by U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, and possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute.
According to evidence presented at the week-long trial, Wilson and co-conspirator Luis Ahorrio, 37, of Queens, N.Y., left Wilson's New Jersey home in a rental car. Several hours later, Maryland State Police troopers stopped their vehicle on Route 113 in Worcester County, Md., for driving above the speed limit and following a vehicle too closely. Wilson and Ahorrio appeared nervous. One of the troopers further observed upon reviewing the car rental agreement that Wilson, who was the passenger, was the only authorized driver of the vehicle.
A canine search of the car revealed a bag under the passenger side seat filled with ziplock bags that contained a total of 327.9 grams of cocaine base. Wilson and Ahorrio both testified at trial that they had no knowledge of the cocaine base. The jury, however, concluded that Wilson and Ahorrio had knowingly conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute the cocaine base found in the car, and that they both knowingly possessed that cocaine base with the intent to distribute. Judge Quarles also found that Wilson's denial of knowledge of the drugs in the car constituted an attempt to obstruct justice.
Luis Ahorrio faces at his sentencing on March 15 at 1:00 p.m., a maximum sentence of life in prison for the conspiracy and for possession with intent to distribute.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua L. Kaul, Robert Harding and Christopher Romano.
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