FBI: Committeewoman Sold Crack Cocaine For Street Gang

WNBC Television ^ | 12/17/2003 | Puppage

[Puppage]

EAST ORANGE, N.J. -- The FBI has arrested a city political figure on charges she sold crack cocaine for a street gang.

A cooperating federal witness bought 169 vials of crack from Sophia Merritt two weeks after she was elected to the Democratic committee in June 2002, according to a court document filed by the FBI. She was 18 at the time.

Several weeks later, Merritt was seen in a car with more than a pound of cocaine, the filing said.

"She was a full-time narcotics dealer," Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Agnifilo said.

Merritt sold drugs for the Double ii Bloods, authorities said.

She and her running mate, DeWayne Ellison, are among more than 100 unsalaried Essex County or local party committee members. Two represent each of the 55 districts in East Orange.

They were on a slate with Rep. Donald Payne, of Newark, and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo.

DiVincenzo's campaign committee paid for Merritt's election literature. He said, "I do not even know this woman. No comment." Payne also said he had never met Merritt.

[Puppage]

Hmmm, a Dean fundraiser, perhaps?

[The G Man]

Community outreach.

Move along. Nothing to see here, people.

[international american]

Gives a new meaning to soft money:)

[EggsAckley]

Looking for a pic of this brainiac, but no luck. A Deanie Babie perhaps?

[Palladin]

Typical of the Party of Death.

[sport]

This should surprise no one.

Well, maybe sean Hanity.

She is a democrat.

[mikeb704]

A party for dim-witted, unpatriotic, irreligious crooks

[Mark]

Any pardon in the future?

[Fester Chugabrew]

[DiVincenzo] said, "I do not even know this woman. No comment."

Ha. Sure. And he doesn't know his a$$ from a hole in the ground, either.

[eureka!]

Sounds like a CIA operative a la Maxine Waters....

[oust the louse]

Does she know Mayor Barry outta the DC gang?

[Cable225]

EAST ORANGE, N.J. -- The FBI has arrested a city political figure on charges she sold crack cocaine for a street gang.

You know you are fully numbed to New Jersey life when this opening paragraph doesn't even raise an eyebrow.

East Orange and crack? Whoa, there's a shock.

[MizzouTigerRepublican]

Maybe she just couldn't afford the Dean bumper sticker and had to use her only knowledge in life to get that money..... Sarcasm

[CWOJackson]

A libertarian in democrats clothing?

[BooBoo1000]

I always thought you would have to be dopey to be a Demo-rat.