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Release Date: November 15, 2007
Contact: Joseph I. Cassilly, State's Attorney, 410.638.3500, or Email statty@harfordcountymd.gov
SCHOOL ZONE DRUG DEALER SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS
Vivan Dennis was sentenced today to serve 12 years for dealing cocaine after being found guilty of selling cocaine in a school zone. On 15 May 2006 the defendant was arrested by Aberdeen Police after officers filmed him selling cocaine fom his car which was parked in a lot beside an Aberdeen elementary school and accross the street from the Aberdeen Boys and Girls Club.
On 17 July 2007, a Harford County jury convicted Dennis of Distribution of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Distribution in a School Zone. Dennis was held without bond pending sentencing.
At his sentencing, Dennis, who had earlier fired his Public Defender, argued that he had a drug problem and that if he were sent to prison he would only be put in a place where drugs are available and he would not receive treatment for his drug problem. Judge Thomas Marshall in sentencing the defendantreplied that his choice to sell cocaine by an elementry school was one that could not be tolerated or go without punishment. Judge Marshall sentenced the defendant to 20 years and suspended 8 years and ordered the defendant to be on 5 years probation when released.
The case was prosecuted by Harford County State's Attorney Joseph I. Cassilly
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