sentenced James Terrance Warren, a.k.a. “T-Hogg,” 42, of Portland, Oregon, to serve 10 years in federal prison

sentenced James Terrance Warren, a.k.a. “T-Hogg,” 42, of Portland, Oregon, to serve 10 years in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine. Upon his release from prison, he will also be required to serve five years of supervised release. On April 22, 2010, Warren pled guilty to distributing 50 grams or more of cocaine base, in the form of crack cocaine.

In December 2008, officers and agents with the Metro Gang Task Force started Operation Gang Strike, an investigation targeting criminal organizations and gang associates responsible for dealing firearms and selling large amounts of both crack and powder cocaine in the Portland Metropolitan area. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, eventually resulted in the federal indictments of 24 individuals. The investigation revealed that James Ray “Lonnie” Yoakum was the head of a large-scale cocaine trafficking organization operating in the Portland Metropolitan area. As the leader of this operation Yoakum would obtain kilograms of cocaine from sources in California and Oregon and then distribute the cocaine, either by himself or with the assistance of others, to large and mid-level dealers, such as the defendant, in the Portland Metropolitan area.

This cocaine distribution organization included people associated with local street gangs. The defendant was arrested in October 2009. During the sentencing hearing the government argued that the ten year sentence would send a clear message that the defendant’s criminal conduct would be appropriately punished. In imposing the sentence, Judge Jones concurred and noted the defendant’s lengthy criminal history and association with “gun-slingers” and violent street gangs warranted the lengthy sentence.

During the sentencing hearing the defendant admitted he associated with the Kerby Blocc Crips. “This defendant is too late to learn the message—he’ll be spending the next 10 years in prison—but we are working hard to reduce gang violence in this city, and that means gang members and associates need to know: it’s time to get out of the life, because if you get caught up with gang violence or drug dealing, law enforcement is coming for you.” said United States Attorney Dwight C Holton. “This sentence reflects the combined efforts of law enforcement resources from Oregon and California,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Paul Schmidt. “The collaboration and cooperation in this investigation is a great example of our commitment to keep our communities safe.” "The people who live and work in this community are fed up with the gang violence fueled by the drug trade," said Arthur Balizan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.