Continuing Criminal Enterprise Statute

TheContinuing Criminal Enterprise Statute(commonly referred to asCCE StatuteorKingpin Statute) is aUnited States federal lawthat targets large-scale drug traffickers who are responsible for long-term and elaborate drug conspiracies. Unlike theRICO Act,which covers a wide range oforganized crimeenterprises, the CCE statute covers only major narcotics organizations. CCE is codified as Chapter 13 ofTitle 21 of the United States Code,21 U.S.C.§ 848.The statute makes it a federal crime to commit or conspire to commit a continuing series of felony violations of theComprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970when such acts are taken in concert with five or more other persons. For conviction under the statute, the offender must have been an organizer, manager, or supervisor of the continuing operation and have obtained substantial income or resources from the drug violations.

The sentence for a first CCE conviction is amandatory minimumof twenty years imprisonment (with a maximum of life imprisonment), a fine of not more than $2 million, and the forfeiture of profits and any interest in the enterprise. Under the so-called "super kingpin" provision added as subsection (b) to the CCE statute in 1984, a person convicted of being a "principal" administrator, organizer, or leader of a criminal enterprise that either involves a large amount of narcotics (at least 300 times the quantity that would trigger a five-year mandatory-minimum sentence for possession) or generates a large amount of money (at least $10 million in gross receipts during a single year) must serve a mandatory life sentence. Anyone engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise who intentionally kills a person or causes an intentional killing may be sentenced todeath.Probation, parole, and suspension of the sentence are prohibited.

Famous cases

Black Mafia Family

TheBlack Mafia Familywas a major cocaine distribution organization led by brothersDemetrius "Big Meech" FlenoryandTerry "Southwest T" Flenory.Originally from the streets ofSouthwest Detroit,the brothers started selling $50 bags ofcrackin high school and by the early 1990s were distributing thousands of kilograms ofcocainein over 21 states.

Rayful Edmond III

Rayful Edmondwas convicted of distributing thousands of kilograms of cocaine in theWashington, D.C.area. His trial featured the first-everanonymous juryin the District's history. Furthermore, jurors were kept behind bulletproof glass in the courtroom and the defendant, Edmond, was housed at theU.S. Marine Base at Quanticoand flown in daily on military transport.

Larry Hoover

Larry Hooverwas the founder of theGangster Disciplesstreet gang and was alleged to be its leader despite being in prison since 1973. On August 31, 1995, Hoover was arrested by federal agents at theVienna Correctional Centerand moved toMCC Chicago,being charged with Continuing Criminal Enterprise and a host of other charges related to gang activity. He is currently serving a life sentence at the super-maximum security facility inADX FlorenceinFlorence,Colorado.

Tijuana Cartel

Several leaders of theTijuana Cartelall would eventually have CCE charges brought against them for cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana trafficking offenses; as well as numerous murders. All brothers involved in the cartel are now either dead or in prison.

Augusto Falcon and Salvador Magluta

Salvador "Sal" MaglutaandAugusto "Willy" Falconoperated one of the most significant cocaine trafficking organizations inSouth Floridahistory. They were indicted by a federal grand jury in April 1991 for a plethora of drug trafficking crimes, including operating a continuing criminal enterprise. They were accused of importing and distributing over 75 tons of cocaine, or over 68,181 kilograms (150,000 lbs). Both Magluta and Falcon were found not guilty after a lengthy trial before Judge Federico Moreno. Magluta was represented by Roy Black, Martin Wienberg, and Richard Martinez and Falcon was represented byAlbert Krieger,Susan Van Dusen, and D. Robert "Bobby" Wells.Following the trial,the United States Attorney's Officedirected an investigation into Magluta and Falcon's finances that ultimately revealed that members of their jury - including the jury foreman - had been bribed. Magluta, Falcon, several of the jurors, their associates and even some of their lawyers were ultimately charged with various criminal offenses arising from the conduct. Magluta was eventually sentenced to 205 years in federal prison, while Falcon received only 20 years after striking a plea deal with the government. Magluta was initially transferred to theSupermax federal prison facility in Florence, Colorado.In 2010, after Magluta's attorney, Paul Petruzzi, sued the Federal Government, Magluta was transferred out of ADX Florence. Federal agents involved in the case say there are few drug traffickers in history more successful or well-known than Magluta and Falcon. Magluta is currently seeking a new trial based on over 40 legal violations. He is presently represented by Paul Petruzzi and Richard Klugh.

Felix Mitchell

Felix "The Cat" Mitchellwas a well-known heroin kingpin and leader of the "69 Mob" inOakland, CA.At its height, his empire covered all ofCaliforniaand extended into theMidwest.His organization brought in an estimated $400,000 in monthly business. In 1985 Felix was convicted of running a continuing criminal enterprise and sentenced to life in prison inUSP Leavenworth,one of the most violent facilities in the country. Less than a year into his sentence, on August 21, 1986, Felix was stabbed to death in his cell, just days before his 32nd birthday. His funeral was a major spectacle inOakland.Over 10Rolls-Roycelimousines trailed the horse-drawn carriage that carried his body. Many celebrities and over 1,000 people attended the elaborate funeral, which received international media coverage.

Ross William Ulbricht

Ross William Ulbrichtwas indicted under the Continuing Criminal Enterprise statute, along with other offenses, for running theSilk Roadonline marketplace.On February 4, 2015, he was found guilty on all counts.On May 29, 2015, Ulbricht was sentenced to two life sentences plus 40 years without the possibility of parole.

Joaquin Guzman

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmanwas the leader of theSinaloa Cartel,a drug cartel known for shippingcocaine,methamphetamines,marijuana,andherointhroughout the US. He was charged with 27 separate violations and the jury decided that he was guilty of 25.Guzmán was imprisoned atADX Florence,asupermax prisoninColorado,after he was sentenced on July 17, 2019.

See also

• RICO Act
• United States Patriot Act

External links

• CCE Act from Cornell University's U. S. Code Database
• FBI definitions of CCE and RICO laws