Drug trafficker sentenced to more than 29 years in prison

MIAMI - Dewayne Joseph was sentenced to 352 months in prison before U.S. District Judge Jose A. Gonzalez, Jr. on Friday, following an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICES) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

On Nov. 9, 2010, Joseph was convicted by a federal jury for possessing a firearm after being previously convicted of a felony offense, possessing with the intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine, and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

On April 20, 2010, a joint task force of special agents from ICE HSI and officers from the City of Miami Police Department conducted a gang enforcement operation in the area of NW 4th Avenue and NW 56th Street in Miami. The agents and officers observed Joseph fleeing the area and followed him into the yard of a nearby private residence.

During the ensuing chase, the agents and officers observed Joseph throw what appeared to be a gun on the ground as he fled. Law enforcement found the gun along with a plastic baggie containing crack cocaine in the same location. Joseph was apprehended soon thereafter and taken into custody.

The investigation was conducted by ICE's HSI Violent Gang Task Force in Miami with the assistance by the City of Miami Police Department, the Miami-Dade Police Department, and the ATF.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Strauss and Jamie M. McCall.