Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 29, 1995 TAG: 9508290037
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAN VERTEFEUILLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Marshall last year was acquitted on charges of selling crack cocaine when her sister, who could pass for her twin, took the stand and claimed she was actually the one an undercover officer bought the drugs from.
Facing federal charges of being a go-between for a crack dealer and his distributor, Marshall couldn't claim mistaken identity this time. Federal agents had searched her home, and there was no question about who she was.
Marshall, who is eight months pregnant, pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, which carries a mandatory 10 years in prison.
Marshall, 27, was accused of receiving cocaine base from Charles A. Cotton Jr. and passing it on to Lois Dell Fait for sales to street dealers, according to an affidavit filed in federal court by a Drug Enforcement Administration agent. Marshall would then collect the money from Fait and deliver it to Cotton, according to the affidavit.
Marshall received multiple-ounce quantities of crack from Cotton every seven to 10 days, for which she charged $1,400 an ounce, according to the affidavit.
Cotton also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge Monday, as well as to possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking offense. Fait cannot be located and is considered a fugitive, along with two other co-defendants named in an indictment.
Marshall's boyfriend, Richard Henry, who collected money for her on occasion, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy.
Maria Couts and Deborah Fowler, who the government believes were "runners," or low-level sellers, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy.
Sentencing is set for Nov.8.
by CNB