Defendants in Memphis police evidence room theft ring sentenced

<p>An Atlanta drug lord who arranged the sale of more than a half-ton of cocaine stolen from Memphis Police Department evidence rooms has been sentenced to 24 years in prison.</p><p>Patrick Maxwell's sentence of 292 months was more severe because he violated an agreement made with prosecutors after providing them with information about other drug dealers and pleading guilty.</p><p>He violated his agreement in August when he was charged with trying to sell the $1.5 million Georgia home he had promised to forfeit to the government.</p><p>U.S. District Judge Daniel Breen also sentenced Eric Brown, who sold the stolen drugs in Memphis, to 11 years in prison. Brown also cooperated with authorities.</p><p>The pair sold as much as 600 kilograms of cocaine before being charged in September 2003. The drugs were stolen from the evidence rooms at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center and a warehouse by manager Kenneth Dansberry, a civilian employee of the police department.</p><p>Dansberry was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to drug conspiracy.</p><p>A total of 17 suspects tied to the evidence room thefts have been convicted.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1cd9c64)</p>