Teens Plead Guilty To Federal Crack Charges Pair Sold Drugs Out Of House Where Two Girls Were Shot Last Summer

Two teenagers face long federal prison terms for selling crack cocaine from a Hillyard house where two girls were shot to death last summer.

Gang members Eric D. Denny, 18, and Ganyn Matthews, 19, pleaded guilty Thursday to distribution of more than five grams of crack.

The high school dropouts struck the drug deal last Halloween with a police informer at Denny’s Hillyard home.

Police learned drug dealing was going on at the house after Denny’s 14-year-old sister was wounded in an Aug. 9 shooting that killed two other girls.

The informer seeking crack on Halloween offered to trade handguns and cash with Denny and Matthews, his friend.

The deal was consummated in a North Division motel room where hidden police video cameras taped Denny and Matthews selling 19 grams of crack for two pistols and $1,150, authorities said.

Denny faces 84 to 105 months in prison under sentencing guidelines. Matthews is looking at 63 to 78 months.

The pair struck plea bargains to avoid minimum 10-year mandatory prison terms.

A firearms count that each defendant faced will be dismissed as part of the deal.

U.S. District Court Judge Fred Van Sickle accepted their guilty pleas and set sentencing for April 12.

“It’s sad - real sad,” Matthews’ mother, Dee Matthews, said after her son was led away in handcuffs.

Denny’s mother, Janice Denny, refused comment as she left the courtroom.

She was at her rented home at 2928 E. Central when police and federal Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms agents served a search warrant after the arrests.

Authorities said Janice Denny admitted knowing her son was dealing drugs out of her home. The welfare mom was charging him rent, even though he wasn’t working, authorities said.

Police said drug dealing resumed in the house after the August shooting, and they launched an investigation.

“It’s definitely not their first transaction” involving drugs, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Rice.

Eric Denny turned 18 on Sept. 30, a month before his arrest. Federal charges aren’t brought against juveniles.

As juveniles, he and Matthews both were convicted of minor offenses, receiving light sentences.

“Once you’ve turned 18, you’re playing with the federal system and you’re playing for real,” Rice said.

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