Murder suspect on bail convicted on federal drug charges

By Darran Simon, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: January 10, 2013

A Camden County murder suspect out on bail admitted on Wednesday in federal court to trying to purchase 13 kilograms - more than 28 pounds - of cocaine that he intended to distribute in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Jamal Herrin, 40, who authorities said lives in Clementon, also admitted to rounding up more than $325,000 to purchase the cocaine.

He pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden to one count of knowingly and intentionally conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, authorities said.

The street value of a kilogram of cocaine is around $32,000, according to a law enforcement official familiar with drug investigations.

The investigation of Herrin started in April when the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration learned that he was interested in purchasing large quantities of cocaine, authorities said.

On Dec. 31, 2011, Herrin, then listed as living in Sicklerville, allegedly fatally shot Terrance Barnum, 40, also of Sicklerville, around 6 p.m. at the Old Nostalgia Barber Shop during an altercation. Herrin was arrested on Jan. 3, 2012, at a Hampton Inn in Logan Township.

He faces between 10 years and life in prison and a $10 million fine on the drug charges. The government said it also would seek to forfeit nearly $340,000 in cash recovered from him.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 15.

Darran Simon can be reached at 856-779-3829 or at dsimon@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @darransimon.

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