THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 25, 1997 TAG: 9701250296
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LYNN WALTZ, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 77 lines
Portsmouth drug kingpin Nathaniel Richardson, who earned the name ``Teflon man'' for avoiding conviction on dozens of crimes, including murder, was sentenced to life in prison without parole Friday in federal court.
Richardson has long been a thorn in the side of Portsmouth police, who felt the inability to prosecute him in state court made a mockery of them. Despite 10 years of major drug trafficking, Richardson, 24, had never been convicted of a drug felony.
That changed when a federal jury convicted him in October of leading a crack gang.
Friday's sentence represents a major step for federal task forces working to curb drugs and violence in Portsmouth, said Livia Cole, head of the local Drug Enforcement Administration office.
``The message (to drug dealers) is: You're going to end up there too. No parole,'' Cole said.
Richardson, who has taunted police on the streets, aggressively argued with Judge Raymond A. Jackson Friday. Such behavior is nearly unheard of in federal court, where many defendants express remorse and ask for mercy.
Richardson accused Jackson of deciding ahead of time to sentence him to life, and said the evidence was circumstantial and the witnesses were criminals.
In some ways, he was right.
Sentencing guidelines required Jackson to give Richardson life. Federal drug conspiracy laws allow circumstantial evidence, and most witnesses against him were serving time or testifying with plea agreements or immunity.
``If you get caught with it, you're going to get it,'' Richardson argued regarding circumstantial evidence. ``If you don't get caught with it, you're going to get it. When are you not going to get it? When? When?''
``When you stop distributing drugs,'' Jackson answered dryly. In contrast to Richardson's tone, Jackson calmly explained the law.
``Congress has imposed stiff penalties for crack,'' Jackson said. ``You are facing life . . . (because of) the amount of crack distributed and the role you played.''
Richardson, whose street name is Skeet, argued that he had been unfairly punished for not cooperating, while others in the gang got less time for helping federal agents. ``Am I getting life for not cooperating? Or for my crime?'' he asked, repeatedly raising his arms up and forward.
``Mr. Richardson, you've asked a lot of questions,'' Jackson said just before pronouncing sentence. ``You have the key to the answers. You also have a key to a jail cell you bought yourself by selling drugs.''
When the life sentence was pronounced, family and friends reacted with tears and stunned looks. Family members believe Richardson was railroaded and set up by dealers and drug users to save themselves from prosecution.
Despite Friday's performance, Richardson's cavalier attitude is waning, his attorney Keith Kimball, said after the hearing. ``At first, he said, `Hey, if I get life, I get life.' In the past few weeks, the reality of life in prison was impressed upon him.''
Richardson's inability to accept his conviction may have stemmed from years of successfully insulating himself in state court by distancing himself from the drugs, the streets and, more recently, the violence. He stored kilos of crack cocaine at others' homes and rarely sold drugs directly to users.
In sentencing arguments, prosecutor Laura Tayman disputed Richardon's numerous support letters from members of the community. At least one called Richardson ``a good parent.''
``He is not a good parent,'' Tayman said. ``He took the life of the mother of one of his children. At the time, she was pregnant with his second child.'' Richardson was convicted last April of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of his girlfriend, Telisha Johnson, 19.
Cole said she believes Friday's sentencing will send a message of hope to Portsmouth citizens.
``Don't give up. Don't stop reporting incidents. There is justice,'' Cole said. ``Portsmouth is a small community. If (the citizens) provide us information, it's impossible to be a major distributor in a small city and not be known.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
Nathaniel Richardson
KEYWORDS: DRUGS ILLEGAL DRUG KINGPIN SENTENCING DRUG
TRAFFICKING