Derrick Cain

Sentence: 10 years
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Priors: None
Year sentenced: 2009
Age at sentencing: 32
Projected release date: Dec. 9, 2017

Derrick was raised in Philadelphia by two loving parents who worked hard to provide for him and his three siblings. After graduating from high school, Derrick married his long-time girlfriend. He soon became the proud father of a daughter and a son. Following his parents’ example, Derrick dedicated himself to providing for his family. In 1997, he was hired by the pipefitting company Anvil International, where he worked until his arrest. He received stellar work reviews and his company supervisor praised him as “a valuable asset who can be depended upon to do an excellent job.” Before 1997, Derrick held steady employment at other corporations.

Derrick typically worked 60 hours each week. With his wife’s combined salary, they were able to make ends meet. In 2001, Derrick’s wife enrolled in college to fulfill her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse. He increased his work hours but eventually became unable to finance his wife’s education and support his family on his salary alone. A friend persuaded Derrick to begin selling cocaine to increase his income. Desperate not to let his family down, Derrick agreed. From 2001 to 2005, he worked during the day and sold cocaine at night to put his wife through college.

On April 11, 2005, the friend who introduced Derrick to cocaine was arrested for drug trafficking. He immediately became a confidential informant (CI) in exchange for sentencing leniency. Acting on the CI’s tip, police raided Derrick’s house the next day. They found a pistol and 244.5 grams of cocaine in the house and 1,298 grams of cocaine in the garage, for a total of 1,542.5 grams (just over 3.4 pounds) of cocaine.  Just two months after his wife graduated from college, 28-year-old Derrick was arrested. He spent five weeks in county jail until the federal government decided to prosecute his case. Derrick was released on bail while his federal case was pending. 

Derrick’s case was pending for three years before he pled guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. During that three-year period, Derrick was gainfully employed and a law-abiding citizen. 

At sentencing, Judge Legrome Davis was forced to impose a five-year mandatory minimum term for the cocaine. Although Derrick’s gun was legally registered and licensed in his name and he never used it in connection with cocaine sales, he automatically received an additional five-year sentence for possessing it. Judge Davis told Derrick that he was unable to use any discretion in sentencing, stating “This is a mandatory [sentence]. It means that if I gave you one second less than ten years in jail, I would be violating the law.” The CI, also arrested for drug trafficking, received just one year of probation.

Derrick’s incarceration has placed an enormous financial and emotional burden on his family. His wife is a nurse at a local hospital and is now the sole provider for their children. His young son and daughter are growing up many miles away from their father. Derrick’s former employer, Anvil International, is keeping a position open for him upon his release.