Date: 08-13-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Cuong Quoc Cao

Case Number: 2:22-cr-00028

Judge: James L. Robart

Court: The United States District Court for the Western District of Washington (King County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Seattle

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Seattle, Washington criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with dealing drugs in downtown Seattle while armed with a handgun
Final federal defendant from “Operation New Day” sentenced to five years in prison

In late January and February 2022, the Seattle Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration targeted open air drug dealing at 12th and Jackson as part of “Operation New Day.” Coung Quoc, age 36, was photographed and observed making hand-to-hand drug sales. Cao left the area when a woman nearby was being treated for an overdose. Police approached Cao and placed him under arrest. A 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a loaded magazine was found in his backpack. Cao also had crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl pills.

Drugs, gun, cash at arrest
Cao was indicted in March 2022, and pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on the eve of trial in April 2024.

In asking for the five-year sentence with three years of supervised release, Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson wrote to the court, “While the amount of fentanyl the defendant possessed with the intent to distribute is not substantial, the fact that he brazenly sold drugs and illegally packed a firearm to protect himself, however, are cause for great concern. A sentence of sixty months imprisonment provides a reasonable punishment for the defendant’s decision to traffic fentanyl – a drug which is poisoning our community - and provides a modicum of safety to the community through incapacitation. Following release from custody, the defendant should avail himself to the services coordinated by United States Probation, most importantly substance abuse treatment.”

The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department and DEA.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cecelia Gregson and Carolyn Forstein.

Outcome: 08/13/2024 87 MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge James L. Robart - CRD: Ashleigh Drecktrah; AUSA: Cecelia Gregson; Def Cnsl: Gregory Geist, Colleen Fitzharris; USPO: Lisimba Jackson; Court Reporter: Debbie Zurn; SENTENCING held on 8/13/2024 for Cuong Quoc Cao. The court hears from counsel re: sentencing. As to Count 2, defendant is committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for a term of 60 months with credit for two years served. Upon release from custody, defendant is subject to 3 years of supervised release with the standard and special conditions as set forth in the judgment. $100.00 special assessment imposed; fine waived. The court recommends placement at FCI Sheridan. Counts 1 and 3 are dismissed. The court signs the judgment and sentence. Defendant remanded to custody. (AD) (Entered: 08/13/2024)
08/13/2024 88 PRELIMINARY ORDER OF FORFEITURE as to Cuong Quoc Cao re United States' 84 MOTION for Forfeiture of Property (Preliminary Order of Forfeiture) by Judge James L. Robart. cc: USMO (AF); (AD) (Entered: 08/13/2024)
08/13/2024 89 JUDGMENT as to Cuong Quoc Cao by Judge James L. Robart. (cc: USPO, PTS, FLU, Fin., USMO, Sea Tac Det) (AD) (Entered: 08/13/2024)

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