Second Circuit affirms drug convictions and $1 million forfeiture

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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has affirmed the convictions and sentences of two men convicted in a 2009 drug trafficking case.

In October 2009, after a six-week trial before U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa, a federal jury convicted Kevin Lamont Anderson, and Willie Grimes in the case, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

From 1990 to December 2005, Anderson led a an operation that sold crack and powder cocaine from several houses in the northeast area of Rochester.

Anderson killed two men in May 2002: Clifford Robinson and Allen Tyrone Smith in Rochester. Anderson was sentenced to life in prison.

Grimes was convicted of possession with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to distribute, crack cocaine and cocaine and sentenced to 11 years, three months in prison.

On appeal, the defendants argued that their convictions should be reversed based upon juror misconduct, insufficient evidence, and false testimony. They argued that their sentences should be vacated as unreasonable.

In rejecting their claims, the Second Circuit concluded: “We have considered all of the defendants’ arguments on this appeal and find in them no basis for reversal. Accordingly, we affirm the judgments of the District Court.”

A special jury verdict that Anderson’s could be forfeited in the amount of $1 million was also affirmed.

Seven other defendants were also convicted in this case.

In the appeal, the government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank T. Pimentel. The trial was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank H. Sherman and Everardo A. Rodriguez.