News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2008

Drug Ring Leader Milton "Butch" Jones
Sentenced on Federal Drug Violation

MAY 27 -- Milton “Butch” Jones was sentenced yesterday to 360 months in federal prison as a result of his guilty plea to federal drug charges involving two homicides, United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy announced today.

Mr. Murphy was joined in the announcement by Robert Corso, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Chief Ella Bully-Cummings, Detroit Police Department.

Jones, 53, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced in United States District Court in Ann Arbor before Judge John Corbett O’Meara.

The information presented to the court at the time of the plea showed that between 1995 and 2001, Jones supervised the activities of at least five individuals in a series of federal narcotics violations that included the distribution of at least 5 kilograms of cocaine and quantities of marijuana at several locations in the 3700 block of Monterey Street in Detroit. In addition to the narcotic distribution activities on Monterey Street, which the participants referred to collectively as the “Dog Pound,” the locations were also utilized to plan the robberies, kidnaping and intentional killings of rival drug traffickers and their associates. These activities included the murders of Mark Grice, and Antoine Carruthers by at least two other participants acting in concert with Jones.

“Drug trafficking is born of greed and begets nothing but violence and more crime. Ring leaders can expect to do substantial stretches of prison time, as we see reflected in today’s 30-year sentence,” United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy said. “I salute the dedication and tireless efforts of the entire law enforcement team who worked together to bring down this organization. Their dedication reflects the finest in cooperation and teamwork between federal and local law enforcement agencies.”

Special Agent in Charge Corso stated, “This sentence assures the community that Milton “Butch” Jones, a violent drug trafficker will remain incarcerated well past his 80th birthday. He is a dangerous man and the community is a much safer place with him behind bars. This sentence reflects the tireless efforts of the men and women of the DEA and our counterparts in the FBI and Detroit Police Department to apprehend and convict violent drug traffickers who choose to operate in this community. “

Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Detroit, Michigan, advised "We want to send a message to the community that this type of activity committed by violent street gangs will not be tolerated and we will continue to aggressively investigate violent street gang activity." The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William Sauget and Regina McCullough.

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