2 Atlantic County Men Sentenced For Roles In Cocaine Conspiracy

Two Atlantic County men were each given multi-year prison sentences for their participation in a nearly three-year conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine in the Atlantic City area, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced on Thursday.

John Wellman, 41, of Somers Point, was sentenced to 10 years, 10 months in prison. Ronald Douglas Byrd, 51, of Pleasantville, was sentenced to eight years in prison. They were both also sentenced to five years of supervised release. They each previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.

From February 2012 through Dec. 10, 2014, Byrd, Wellman and others engaged in a drug trafficking conspiracy through which Byrd distributed more than one kilogram of crack cocaine and Wellman distributed more than 280 grams of crack cocaine, according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.

Conspirators used Byrd’s home in Plesantville and at least two other homes in Pleasantville and Absecon, including one owned by Wellman, – to store and package cocaine and crack cocaine.

A total of 12 people were arrested in connection with this conspiracy in March of last year. Since then, 11 of the 12 have been convicted or pleaded guilty. The 12th person remains a fugitive from justice.

Patch file photo