An Atlantic City woman was convicted on federal drug charges Wednesday, but not in death those drugs allegedly caused.
Rajeri Curry, 32, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
Each of those charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the charge of distribution of heroin and fentanyl that resulted in a death.
Jeffrey Giannini, 30, was found unresponsive June 1, 2018, in a car parked in the McDonald’s parking lot on Arkansas Avenue.
He died of an overdose. Next to him were bags that tested positive for heroin and fentanyl.
Video surveillance from about two hours earlier showed Giannini being sold drugs by Curry, according to the charges.
Curry, then 29, already had pending drug charges at the time.
Those were transferred to federal court months after she was arrested in Giannini’s death.
Hers was the first Atlantic County case charged under strict liability to also go to federal court.
It was never made clear why her charges were moved from Superior Court, but she is considered a career offender under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Her drug history dates to 2008 and includes convictions of manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, and possessing a controlled dangerous substance.
Officers searched Curry’s residence Jan. 17, 2018, and found heroin stamped with “DOA” and “BODY COUNT,” which Curry intended to distribute to her customers in Atlantic City, according to the charges.
She and roommate, Kaytisha Waddell, were released on summonses at that time.
Between March and June 2018, Curry conspired with drug suppliers in Newark to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, the charges claimed.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Atlantic City police, and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office with the investigation.
