September 06, 2007  Owings Mills, Maryland
Local DJ convicted by a jury of federal cocaine charges involving 5 kilograms of cocaine

A 30-year-old Owings Mills disc jockey has been convicted of conspiring to distribute cocaine. A federal jury convicted Darnell Anthony Young on Aug. 29 of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod Rosenstein. The jury acquitted Young on a charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Young, who is also known as "DJ Nelly Nell," worked as a disc jockey at clubs in and near Baltimore.

According to evidence presented at trial, Young conspired with Howard Rice, 41; Raeshio Rice, 34, and Errol Wynter, 29, all of Baltimore, to distribute cocaine on the city's northwest side. Investigators said they observed Wynter arrive at Young's residence on Padua Way Nov. 6 and leave a few minutes later, carrying a red plastic bag. When officers stopped Wynter's car, they recovered several cell phones and the red bag, which contained more than $39,000.

Officers subsequently arrested Young, searched his home and found two kilograms of cocaine on the kitchen counter, three kilograms of cocaine hidden in the washing machine, approximately $17,000, seven cell phones and a Blackberry, according to the district attorney. Young faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. His sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 15.

Howard and Raeshio Rice, whom the district attorney describes as leaders of the narcotics organization, pleaded guilty to drug distribution charges and were sentenced to 30 years and 27 years in federal prison, respectively. Wynter pleaded guilty to drug charges and was sentenced to 70 months in prison.

Source: Linda Strowbridge Owings Mills Times