Judge outraged after drug dealers disappear before guilty verdicts

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Judge outraged after drug dealers disappear before guilty verdicts

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May 142014

Detroit — Federal agents launched a manhunt Monday for three fez-wearing drug dealers who disappeared before a jury returned guilty verdicts in one of the biggest drug cases in Metro Detroit history.

Drug kingpin Carlos Powell of Washington Township; his brother, Eric Powell of Franklin; and friend Earnest Proge of Detroit, who were free on bond, failed to appear as ordered before the jury returned its verdict about 1 p.m. The verdict followed a nearly two-week trial in federal court; all three face up to life in prison and $10 million fines.
The men’s disappearance outraged U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy, who ordered the U.S. Marshals Service to find the three.
“No bond. No exceptions,” a red-faced Murphy said, pointing at a deputy U.S. marshal inside a courtroom filled with lawyers, prosecutors and federal agents. “These guys are into the wind. I think it’s outrageous.”
The size, scope and profits of Carlos Powell’s drug ring places him among the most prolific drug dealers in Metro Detroit history. During a years-long investigation, agents seized 66 pounds of heroin, 12 kilograms of cocaine, 1,000 pounds of marijuana and more than $21 million in cash.
Powell’s drug ring allegedly laundered profits and purchased $800,000 worth of jewelry, real estate in Michigan and Georgia and luxury vehicles, including two Bentleys, a Ferrari, a Rolls Royce, and boats. Most have been seized.
Carlos Powell, 39, appeared in court early Monday but cut his ankle tether at 12:33 p.m. — 18 minutes after the jury was supposed to read the verdict, according to courtroom testimony. Eric Powell and Proge could have fled as early as Thursday night, the judge said.
All three should be considered armed and dangerous, prosecutors said. Anyone with information is asked to call the U.S. Marshals Service at (313) 234-5656.
The three men were standing trial in federal court alongside the man prosecutors say helped Carlos Powell hide and spend his millions: former state Rep. Kenneth Daniels, D-Detroit. Daniels, 54, was convicted Monday of a financial crime related to the caseand faces up to five years in prison.
The jury deliberated for about three days before reaching a verdict early Monday on various drug and firearm offenses. Defense lawyers and defendants were supposed to be in court by 12:15 p.m. but only Daniels, defense lawyers and prosecutors appeared.