Two Pittsburg Men Enter Guilty Pleas In Cocaine Cases

In separate cases, Billy Joe Butler and Damien Donte Porter, both of Pittsburg, pled guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine before United States Magistrate Judge Chad Everingham.

MARSHALL, TX, Jan. 14, 2009 -– United States Attorney Rebecca A. Gregory announced today that two Texas men have pleaded guilty to federal drug crimes in separate cases in the Eastern District of Texas.

Billy Joe Butler 44, of Pittsburg, Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine today before United States Magistrate Judge Chad Everingham.

In a separate case, Damien Donte Porter 31, also of Pittsburg, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and felony possession of a firearm. He also stood before Judge Everingham.

According to information presented in court, Butler admitted that up until April 16, 2008, he conspired with others to distribute at least 5 kilograms of cocaine in Camp County, Texas.

Butler was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 3, 2008. He faces up to Life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. The case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise Simpson.

In Porter's case, he admitted that up until March 28, 2008, he conspired with others to distribute at least 5 kilograms of cocaine in Camp County, Texas.

Porter, a convicted felon, having been previously found guilty of felony distribution of drugs in federal court in 2001, also acknowledged that he was in possession of a firearm on Jan. 24, 2008. As a convicted felon, Porter is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

Porter was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 3, 2008. He faces up to Life in federal prison on the drug charge and up to 10 years in federal prison for the firearms charge. Porter has also agreed to the forfeiture of two firearms. A sentencing date has not been set. The case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise Simpson.