Big-Time Crack Dealer Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking

Defendant Pleads Guilty Moments Before Trial is to Start,
$500,000 in Drugs Off the Streets

Atlanta—Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. (Atlanta Judicial Circuit) announces that, following his guilty plea, Omari McCree (26) has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. McCree pleaded guilty to trafficking in cocaine just moments before his trial was to begin. During a series of wiretaps conducted by HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Task Force and the District Attorney’s Office in the fall of last year, investigators learned that McCree had sold nine kilograms of cocaine—valued at approximately $500,000 on the street—to defendant Decarlo Hoskins on or about 17 September. Hoskins, in turn, sold the drugs to a Michael Crawford. (The two previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 15 years in prison.) Following the arrests of Hoskins and Crawford, McCree went on the run but was apprehended in June.

“Sadly, Atlanta has become a major focus of the drug trade, and this is why I continue to call for the implementation of a dedicated Felony Drug Division in Superior Court,” says Mr. Howard. “While I applaud these convictions as significant victories in our war on drugs, we need to see these big-time dealers going to prison every day in our County.”

Senior Assistant District Attorney Rand Csehy prosecuted the case. Judge Jerry Baxter presided.

CONTACT: Erik Friedly, 404.224.0560 (office); 770.583.6069 (pager); erik.friedly@co.fulton.ga.us