Man on Federal Supervision Charged with Cocaine Trafficking

A History of Cocaine Trafficking and a New Federal Charge

Damon L. Wilbert, a 55-year-old man from Saginaw County, has a long history of involvement in cocaine trafficking. His criminal record includes two separate stints in federal prison for drug-related offenses. Recently, he found himself once again facing federal charges, this time for allegedly packaging and distributing large quantities of cocaine.

The FBI Mid-Michigan Safe Streets Task Force executed a search warrant at Wilbert’s home on the 2000 block of Nebraska Avenue in Bridgeport Township on September 16. According to an affidavit filed by an FBI special agent, Wilbert was alone at the time of the raid. Law enforcement discovered two rectangular packages containing suspected cocaine, along with plastic baggies, several stacks of cash bound in rubber bands, and a Taurus .38 Special revolver. Field tests confirmed that the powder in the baggies was cocaine.

Each of the rectangular bricks was estimated to contain approximately one kilogram of the drug, totaling about two kilograms. The agent noted that such a quantity far exceeds what an individual would possess for personal use and is consistent with distribution. Additionally, the presence of large amounts of cash aligns with typical behavior among drug traffickers.

Wilbert, who is a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. However, the discovery of the revolver raises serious concerns about his continued involvement in illegal activities. While the affidavit does not specify how law enforcement became aware of Wilbert, it is clear that his status as a parolee and his prior felony convictions have placed him under increased scrutiny.

On September 16, Wilbert appeared before U.S. District Judge Patricia T. Morris for arraignment on a single count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. If convicted, he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, with the potential for up to 40 years. He could also be fined up to $5 million. Given his previous convictions, the judge warned that the penalties could be even more severe.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William T. Orr requested that Wilbert be detained without bond, citing the risk he poses to the community. He argued that Wilbert's history of drug dealing demonstrates a disregard for court authority and an inability to comply with legal conditions.

Defense attorney Harry D. Mihas, however, asked for a different approach. He requested that Wilbert be released on a GPS tether, emphasizing his employment as a maintenance worker and his physical and mental health issues. Mihas argued that a jail stay would worsen these conditions.

Judge Morris ultimately sided with the prosecution and ordered Wilbert to remain in custody without bond. A preliminary examination is scheduled for September 30.

A Pattern of Criminal Behavior

Wilbert’s criminal history dates back to December 1997, when he was convicted of possession with intent to deliver cocaine. At that time, a federal judge sentenced him to 22 years in prison. In April 2009, his sentence was reduced to 211 months. In January 2012, it was further reduced to 169 months, after which he was released under supervised release until 2014.

In October 2017, law enforcement served a warrant at Wilbert’s Saginaw home and discovered over 1,000 grams of cocaine, along with packaging materials such as plastic baggies, digital scales, respirator masks, rubber gloves, weights, and a microwave containing cocaine residue. No individuals were present at the location, which was described as a “stash house.”

Wilbert later pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced in March 2018 to 10 years in federal prison, followed by eight years of supervised release.

While incarcerated in March 2020, Wilbert wrote a handwritten letter to Judge Thomas L. Ludington requesting compassionate release, expressing fears of contracting COVID-19. He described himself as being "deathly afraid" and stated that he did not want to die in prison.

Ludington denied the request and subsequent appeals, stating that Wilbert posed a danger to others due to his history of drug-related offenses. In response, Wilbert wrote another letter to the courts, claiming that he had taken steps to improve himself and was ready to help others avoid the mistakes that led to his incarceration.

After serving his time, Wilbert was paroled on February 28, 2024. Now, he faces new charges that could once again land him in federal prison.