News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2008
Erin Mulvey
Public Information Officer
212 337-2906

Leader of Crack-Selling Organization in Sedgwick Houses Convicted

NOV 17 -- (Manhattan, NY) JOHN P. GILBRIDE, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Office of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA"), MICHAEL J. GARCIA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, RAYMOND W. KELLY, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York and HARRY J. CORBITT, Superintendent, New York State Police (NYSP) announced the conviction of SHAUN DOZIER, one of the leaders of an organization that sold crack cocaine in the Sedgwick Housing Project located in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx, of narcotics and firearms charges. The verdict was returned after a one week jury trial before United States District Judge ROBERT W. SWEET.

According to the evidence at trial: in 2006 and 2007, along with other members of a criminal organization who called themselves the “Chief Set,” the DOZIER distributed hundreds of grams of crack cocaine out of various locations inside the Sedgwick Houses. Specifically, DOZIER and his co-conspirators distributed narcotics from two apartments inside the housing projects, and from the lobby of one of the buildings. The evidence further established that, on April 11, 2007, DOZIER sold crack cocaine to an undercover officer and a confidential informant working for the New York Police Department (“NYPD”).

Based on this conduct, DOZIER was convicted of conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, as well as with distributing, or possessing with intent to distribute, crack cocaine. DOZIER was also convicted of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense, and with possessing a firearm in furtherance of that crime. As a member of the Chief Set, DOZIER used and possessed handguns and a shotgun while selling crack cocaine in the Sedgwick Houses. On October 2, 2007, DOZIER shot another individual on the grounds of the Sedgwick Houses in connection with a dispute over drug selling territory.

Four other members of the Chief Set, SHANNON DOZIER, SAMANTHA SAMUELS, JOSE MORALES, and JOHN ADAMS, pleaded guilty earlier this year to narcotics conspiracy charges in connection with the Chief Set’s crack-selling activities. DOZIER faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in custody. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled for DOZIER or for his co-defendants.

Mr. GARCIA praised the outstanding work of the Drug Enforcement Task Force, Group T-42 and the NYPD in the investigation of this case. The Drug Enforcement Task Force is comprised of agents and officers of the DEA, NYPD and NYSP.

Assistant United States Attorneys RANDALL W. JACKSON, NOLA B. HELLER, and JEFFREY A. BROWN are in charge of the prosecution.