California Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Drug Trafficking Case

Maurice Bryant sentenced to 14 years for leading a major cocaine trafficking network in Sacramento, as part of a DEA-led operation.Photo byLarry FarronUnsplash

Maurice Bryant, 54, of Sacramento, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 5,000 grams of cocaine, 280 grams of cocaine base, and heroin, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California announced Thursday.

According to the department, Bryant was one of 15 defendants charged in a 45-count indictment in 2021 following a multi-agency operation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) targeting cocaine and heroin traffickers in North Sacramento.

The department stated that Bryant was identified as a leader of a major cocaine distribution network.

Wiretaps from 2018 and 2019 revealed Bryant orchestrating the transportation of cocaine across the Mexican border and distributing large quantities of both powder cocaine and crack cocaine.

Over a 60-day period, authorities intercepted communications of Bryant distributing more than five kilograms of powder cocaine and converting significant amounts of it into cocaine base at his residence.

The department states that agents seized drug trafficking equipment, two loaded firearms, and a military-grade bulletproof vest from his home during his arrest.

Bryant’s co-defendants have also been sentenced in connection to the operation:

• Jason Tolbert, 45, of Sacramento, sentenced to 57 months for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to the department.
• Charles Carter, 36, of Sacramento, sentenced to 70 months for conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine.
• Andre Hellams, 40, of North Highlands, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on Feb. 17, 2025.
• Michael Hampton, 57, of Vallejo, sentenced to 60 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
• Arlington Caine, 48, of Rio Linda, sentenced to 22 months for using communication facilities to facilitate drug trafficking.
• Bobby Conner, 51, of Sacramento, sentenced to six months for the same charges.
• Dwight Haney, 52, of Sacramento, sentenced to time served.
• Jerome Adams, 56, of North Highlands, sentenced to 60 months.
• Steven Hampton, 64, of Sacramento, sentenced to 84 months for possession with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine.
• Mark Martin, 63, of Sacramento, sentenced to time served.

According to the department, this operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat narcotics trafficking in California.