Crack Cocaine Dealers Face Long Prison Terms

Two crack cocaine dealers who moved to Spokane to ply their trade are facing lengthy prison sentences, federal authorities say.

In the latest case, Cecil Tasby faces a minimum of 10 years in prison after being convicted by a U.S. District Court jury on Thursday.

The 25-year-old man, who moved to Spokane from Los Angeles in 1993, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and use of firearms during a drug transaction.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Skibbie said the case against Tasby was developed by a task force involving Spokane police and federal Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms agents.

After undercover officers bought crack on March 15, officers obtained a warrant to search Tasby’s apartment at 7020 N. Colton.

In a bedroom of the apartment, witnesses told the jury, officers found six grams of crack cocaine, worth an estimated $1,200.

They also found two rifles, one of which was loaded, and a .38-caliber handgun.

Outside Tasby’s apartment, 16 more grams of the rock-like drug were found hidden under red landscape rock, witnesses testified.

Tasby testified in his own defense, and denied that the crack cocaine was his. He said other people had been staying in his apartment.

He will remain in jail without bond until sentencing on Aug. 18 by Judge Frem Nielsen.

Tasby faces a minimum, mandatory term of five years in prison because of the amount of drugs. He also faces five additional years because firearms were involved, Skibbie said.

On May 26, Darryl E. Jackson was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted in February by a jury of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

Jackson, 31, formerly of Compton, Calif., was the biggest crack cocaine supplier ever caught in Spokane, authorities say.

His arrest involved the seizure of nearly two pounds of crack cocaine, worth an estimated $170,000.

, DataTimes