Opinion ID: 483158
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: June 6, 1984: First Sale

Text: 7 Going into the investigation, Baker had information that Dickie and Melvin Morton were distributing cocaine. On June 6, 1984, Baker, acting as Ike, was introduced to Dickie. At trial, Baker identified Melvin Morton's co-defendant, Richard Hollingshead, as Dickie. Baker first met Dickie on Walters Street in Cincinnati. Dickie told Baker that his cocaine supplier had been there earlier, and that he would recontact his supplier in order to get one ounce of cocaine for Baker. 8 While Baker was driving Dickie around the area, Dickie saw a silver Buick Electra 225 automobile and told Baker that his cocaine source was driving the Electra. At trial, Baker identified Morton as the driver of the Electra. The license plate on the Electra was registered to Morton, and Morton admitted at trial that he was driving the Electra in the area at that time. Dickie, after attracting Morton's attention, told Baker to follow the Electra. Morton then drove directly to Dickie's home on Walters Street, where he parked the Electra. Dickie and Morton had a conversation outside of Baker's hearing. 9 Dickie returned and told Baker that it would be 1 1/2 hours before the ounce cocaine transaction would take place. Baker left Dickie and Morton; an hour later he returned. Dickie got into Baker's car and stated that he wanted to go to his cocaine supplier's girlfriend's house to see if his supplier was there. While travelling to the girlfriend's house, Dickie spotted Morton in the Electra and told Baker to stop. Dickie and Morton had a conversation in Morton's car although, again, Baker could not hear what was said. Dickie returned to Baker's car and said that his supplier had the ounce of cocaine but wanted Baker to give Dickie the money first. Baker refused, said he would not turn over the money until he got the cocaine, and told Dickie he wanted to meet his supplier. Dickie went back to the Electra and had another conversation with Morton which Baker could not overhear. Dickie returned and said that Baker should meet him in ten minutes at a nearby park but that his supplier did not want to meet him personally. Baker showed Dickie the $2000 for the cocaine and Dickie returned to defendant's Electra. Dickie left with Morton. 10 About ten minutes later, after contacting his surveillance team, Baker went to the park as directed. Dickie appeared alone on foot and got into Baker's car. At Dickie's direction, Baker again drove to Dickie's residence on Walters Street, parked, and gave Dickie $2000 for a bag of white powder containing 26.43 grams of cocaine of 59% purity. DEA Special Agent Richard Stuart surveilled the June 6, 1984, transaction and also identified Morton as the driver of the Electra.