Father, son among 9 sentenced in Ecstasy trafficking ring
DETROIT — The ninth and final defendant in an Ecstasy distribution and manufacturing ring was sentenced Tuesday in federal court. The sentencing follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Sylvester Boston, Jr., was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for his role in the scheme. The defendants were charged in 2014 in a 17-count indictment for running in a large-scale Ecstasy distribution ring run from May 2013 through April 2014. HSI special agents first became aware of the organization in May 2013, when U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized an industrial pill press imported from China after it was found to be fraudulently labeled for shipment. Special agents subsequently conducted a controlled delivery of the press destined for S&B Computers located on Detroit's west side.
During the investigation, undercover special agents confirmed that the business was a front for a large scale Ecstasy pill production and distribution organization. The indictment also alleges the defendants were involved in the distribution of heroin.
The additional eight defendants have been sentenced to the following:
- Sylvester Boston Sr., 96 months
- Rodney Reaves, 24 months
- Nikito Merchant, 48 months
- Norman Christopher Ivory, Time served
- Sondai Harris, 87 months
- Raymond Thomas, 60 months
- Corey Broaden, 24 months
- William Burt, 24 months
"As a result of this investigation and enforcement action, we've dismantled an entire drug trafficking network that we allege was responsible for funneling poison into communities in metro Detroit," said Steve Francis, special agent in charge of HSI Detroit. "The dismantling of drug-trafficking operations has a direct and immediate positive impact on the quality of life here in Detroit."
The investigation was led by HSI with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Michigan State Police and the Detroit Police Department.
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