#05673-028
 
Jurisdiction: Federal
Sentence: 10 years mandatory minimum
Offense: Conspiracy to possess WITD powder and crack cocaine
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Priors: None
Date of Sentencing: 12/20/1999
Date of Birth: 1/20/1965
Projected Release Date: 3/8/2008
 
Nature of Offense: Leander was indicted with six other people for distributing cocaine in the Muncie and Anderson, Indiana areas.  The conspiracy initially imported drugs from New York by car or plane but then switched to Federal Express, shipping approximately 10 to 15 kg of cocaine. (3 to 5 kg was crack cocaine.)  At worst, Leander played a minimal role in the conspiracy.  The government claimed from late 1993 or early 1994, Leander used his position as a Federal Express courier to track drug packages and provide inside information for his two cousins in the conspiracy.  Furthermore, the supplier in New York testified that on two occasions in 1994 Leander and his cousin purchased crack cocaine from him (four and one-half ounces and 150 grams).  Leander denies involvement.  He points out that other members of the conspiracy contradicted the supplier’s account by testifying that Leander wasn’t involved, and Leander states he lacked the necessary access codes at Federal Express to track packages since he was a part-time courier.  In fact Leander argues that Federal Express launched its own probe and found no wrongdoing on his part, and upgraded his employee status to full-time.  Leander went to trial to prove his innocence.  After a hung jury ended his first trial, Leander had a different attorney in his subsequent one, and this person failed to call key witnesses and subpoena Federal Express documents that could have supported Leander’s claims.  Found guilty, Leander was sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of 10 years. 
 
Guideline Sentence: Leander was held responsible for 250 grams of crack cocaine and 349 grams of powder cocaine, resulting in a base offense level of 34.  Deemed a minimal participant, he received a four-level reduction that lowered his total offense level to 30.  With no criminal history, his guideline range was 97-121 months.  However, the weight of the crack cocaine triggered the mandatory minimum penalty. 
 
Sentences of Others Involved: The supplier in New York testified against Leander and in exchange was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months (135 months).  His associate in New York and one of the distributors in Indiana both received a sentence of six years and six months (78 months).  The main distributor in Indiana received a nine-year term in exchange for his substantial assistance.  Three other individuals received sentences of 60 months, 40 months, and 21 months.     

Personal Background: Leander was raised in a very close-knit family.  Both of his parents worked for General Motors, and his two sisters work there as well.  Leander was an active child, participating in the Boy Scouts and in sports, receiving a partial basketball scholarship in 1983 to Black Hills State College in South Dakota.  He spent two semesters there before he dropped out due to his academic workload.  In 1985 Leander joined the Air Force where he worked as an Airfield Manager and Flight Data Specialist for eight years.  Leander reports that he served in the First Gulf War and was honored with a medal for the support his base provided.  He intended to spend the rest of his life in the Air Force if not for an automobile accident that he was in.  Although he drank some alcohol prior to it, Leander says he passed a field sobriety test.  Nonetheless, he was discharged under “Other Than Honorable Conditions.”
 
Leander notes that he appealed his decision based on his eight years of commendable service, and in 1995 a review board upgraded his discharge to “General, Under Honorable Conditions.”  Leander had hopes of further appealing to “Honorable Discharge” when the present indictment was brought against him. 
 
Leander has used his time in prison to better himself as a person.  He has completed over 22 classes, including African-American history, small engine repair, and drug treatment, and is currently enrolled in digital electronics, accounting, and keyboarding.  Leander consistently receives high marks for his work performance, even once being nominated for a Monetary Special Reward for his “exceptionally meritorious or outstanding services.”   
 
Complied from PSR and inmate information.
JC 1/26/05