United States of America v. Jamal Binford

Cincinnati, Ohio, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841, murder in collection with drug trafficking in violation of 21 U.S.C. 848(2)(1)(A), and used of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in violation of 18 U.S.C. 924(c).

Digested by: Kent Morlan

Jamal Binford, 34, of Dallas and Cincinnati, purported to manage two co-defendants as boxers, presenting himself as a successful boxing promoter aiding young men he wanted to help off the streets. Binford sold young boxers on the dream of becoming pro fighters. Instead, used them as his soldiers in his drug trafficking enterprise.

Between May and November 2021, Binford sold kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine and hundreds of pounds of marijuana. To protect his drug trafficking operation, he ordered co-defendants Antwan Coach, Jr., 23, of Cincinnati, and Markel Hardy, 24, of Cincinnati, to murder his own uncle, Deonte Nuckols.

As the government outlined at trial, Binford paid the two other men $2,000 total to kill Mr. Nuckols, who had had been texting Binford that day about Binford paying a drug debt.

Binford also assisted the co-defendants after the July 2021 robbery and murder of Kamar Williams in North College Hill. Mr. Williams was robbed of marijuana and a firearm and shot to death. Binford helped Hardy flee the scene.

Life imprisonment; Lifetime supervised release with conditions; $100 special assessment.

One hundred eighty months (180) imprisonment to run consecutive to Counts 1 and 6; Three (3) years supervised release with conditions to run consecutive to Counts 1 and 6; $100 Special Assessment.

Life imprisonment to run consecutive to Counts 1 and 5; Five (5) years supervised release with conditions to run consecutive to Counts 1 and 5; $100 special assessment; and restitution

One hundred twenty (120) months imprisonment to run consecutive to Counts 1, 5, and 6 (Life plus 120 months total); Five (5) years supervised release with conditions to run concurrent to Counts 1, 5, and 6 (lifetime supervised release total); $100 special assessment ($400 total).