9 charged in cocaine conspiracy

COURT BRIEFS

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Federal prosecutors have charged nine local residents with conspiring to make and distribute crack cocaine over a two-year period.

The nine defendants saw U.S. Magistrate Judge William Carter on Thursday and Friday in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga. Carter allowed four defendants to be released and either detained or scheduled detention hearings for the rest.

Darrell Hamilton, Rhonda Albert, Stephanie Ball and Brian Posley were released pending hearings. Garry Rollins, Victor Jackson, Adrian Toran and Roland Jackson were either detained or scheduled for detention hearings next week.

Information was not available Friday on Kevin Albert, also charged in the indictment.

Local and federal law enforcement arrested the defendants earlier this week.

Prosecutors allege that the group conspired to manufacture and distribute 50 grams or more of crack from May 2008 through June 2010.

The 10-count indictment lists dates on which each of the defendants is accused of possessing or distributing the drug.