George Hickey, Jr.#15765-039
Federal Sentence: Life in prison
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; and distribution of cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a playground
Court: Eastern District of Michigan
Priors: See below
Date of Sentencing: 2/26/92
Date of Birth: 5/20/39
Nature of Offense: In February of 1992, George’s friend began persistently calling him to buy drugs. She claimed that her life would be in danger if she were unable to obtain cocaine for a ‘friend’ and begged George to help her. George, a long-time addict, did not have any cocaine in his possession and he initially refused to help this friend find any, but as her calls became more desperate he became concerned for her safety and finally agreed to connect her with an acquaintance of his who sold cocaine. On February 7, George took his friend and her ‘friend’, an undercover officer, to a bar where the undercover officer purchased 83.1 grams of powder cocaine from George’s contact. Nearly two weeks later, George’s friend came to his house again with the undercover officer in search of cocaine. Once again, George did not have any drugs in his possession so he took them to his nephew’s house, which was 1,000 feet from a playground, and procured 53.6 grams of crack cocaine for the undercover officer. On February 26, this friend arranged yet another buy with the undercover where 115.9 grams of crack cocaine were exchanged in George’s presence at his nephew’s home. Later that day a search warrant was executed at George’s nephew’s house and a large amount of cocaine base was confiscated. George was held accountable for all of the drugs found in the house plus the total from the three drug sales involving the undercover officer for a total of 301 grams of cocaine base and 83.1 grams of powder cocaine.
Nature of Priors: 12/22/73 and 4/27/74 George served 10 days of jail time for engaging in illegal occupation. In 1979 George was convicted of delivery of heroin under 50 grams and sentenced to 2-20 years in state prison. He was paroled in January of 1981. In 1983 George was convicted of attempt to carry a concealed weapon and received 2.5 years probation. In 1991 George sold drugs to an undercover officer and was convicted of delivery of cocaine under 50 grams and received lifetime probation.
Guideline Sentence: Both of George’s drug charges were grouped together at sentencing. Based on the quantity of cocaine base for which George was held accountable, his base offense level was 36. He received a 2-point enhancement because he directed his friends’ activities and an additional 2-point enhancement for obstruction of justice because he was accused of providing false testimony at his trial. George’s total offense level was 40 and with a Criminal History Category VI due to his priors, his guideline sentence range is 360 months to life.
Sentences of Others Involved: George’s nephew received a sentence of 312 months. His friend who introduced him to the undercover officer served approximately 6 years in prison and was released in 1998.
Judge’s Statement: Judge Gerald E. Rosen of the Eastern District of Michigan stated:
“Let me say this. I am – I think both counsel understand, and I want Mr. Hickey to understand, I am not satisfied with this sentence. I wish I was not compelled to do it. I don’t believe that Mr. Hickey deserves a life sentence. That’s my strong view. However I don’t believe I have any authority or any other alternative under existing law but to impose a life sentence here.”
Personal Background: George has lived in Detroit, Michigan for most of his life. He is very close to his 3 brothers and 3 sisters, all of whom live in the Detroit area, and George reports that they have remained extremely supportive of him throughout his ordeal. He also has 4 grown children. George has battled and struggled with substance abuse issues since he became addicted to powder cocaine in 1978. His dependence on drugs was enhanced when he began smoking crack in 1989. Further complicating his battles with addiction, George has been plagued with a series of health ailments. In 1987 his leg was amputated from the knee down after he was shot when someone attempted to rob him. Unfortunately, George has developed additional health problems since his incarceration; he has been diagnosed with diabetes and an enlarged heart.
Compiled from inmate information and Pre-Sentence Report.
2/7/02 lv revised 6/24/05 ba