Pubdate: Fri, 09 Nov 2001
Source: Virginian-Pilot (VA)
Copyright: 2001, The Virginian-Pilot
Contact:  http://www.pilotonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/483
Author: Tim McGlone, The Virginian-Pilot

MAN WHO DODGED DRUG LAWS FINALLY CONVICTED

NORFOLK -- A man who dodged state drug charges three times and who has been 
a fugitive for four years has been sentenced to more than 15 years in 
federal prison.

Trenton D. Winder, 36, of Norfolk, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 
188 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of crack cocaine 
and firearms as a convicted felon.

Winder was arrested three times by Norfolk police in 1997. In the first 
case, police discovered crack, guns and cash in his home. The second time, 
police found him with heroin. On the third arrest, in May 1997, police 
found him with crack, heroin, marijuana and cash, according to federal 
officials.

In each case, he was freed on bond. It is unclear why that happened.

Federal officials said that after the third arrest, Winder never showed up 
in court and has been a fugitive since.

Winder was arrested on the fugitive warrant in March. The state charges 
from 1997 were dropped when he pleaded guilty in federal court, according 
to James A. Metcalfe, an assistant U.S. attorney.

Winder was prosecuted under Project Exile, a federal program designed to 
stop convicted felons caught with drugs and guns.

Reach Tim McGlone at 446-2343 or  ---
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