Amoateng Jailed 10yrs, Gets Another 5yrs Supervised Release

Eric Amoateng, the ex-New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkoranza North, busted on December 11, 2005 in the US over allegations of trafficking heroine, has been sentenced to 120 months in jail by a US District Court in Brooklyn, New York. Judge David G. Tragger, delivered the judgment on December 12,2007. The judgment comes several months after Eric Amoateng and his counsel John Patten entered a guilt plea on charges of conspiracy to import at least one kilogramme of heroine into the United States of America. The Enquirer has learnt that Eric Amoateng, who initially pleaded not guilty when he was arrested by US Custom Officials, will be serving his jail term at a correctional facility in, CI Moshannon Valley, Philipsburg, PA. He will be confined in a very secured facility. "Upon release, from imprisonment, the defendant (Amoateng) shall be on supervised release for a term of 5 years. The defendant shall report to the probation office in the district of which the defendant is released within 72 hours of release from the custody of the Bureau of Prisons," the judge added. Amoateng will also be expected to pay a total criminal monetary penalty under the schedule of payment in the sum of $100 and would also as part of the regulations regarding additional supervised release terms, be forbidden to re-enter the United States illegally if deported after his sentence. Similarly, the court ordered that Eric Amoateng not commit another federal, state or focal crime, whilst under supervised release. The Presiding judge, Justice Tragger, said Eric Amoateng should not unlawfully possess a controlled substance (such as cocaine, heroine etc) and refrain from use of any controlled substance. The Eastern District court of New York also ordered that Amoateng, upon release shall submit to one drug test within 15 days of release from imprisonment and at least two periodic drug tests thereafter, as determined by a court. Eric Amoateng shall not also possess any firearm, ammunition, destructive device, or any other dangerous weapon. Court documents also suggest that Eric Amoateng's supervised release will have to adhere to the 13-point standard conditions of supervision release as follows: 1) The defendant shall not leave the judicial district without the permission of the court or probation officer, 2) Defendant shall report to the probation officer and shall submit a truthful and complete written report within the first five days of each month, 3) Defendant shall answer truthful all inquiries by the probation officer and follow the instructions of the probation officer, 4) Defendant shall support his dependants and meet their family responsibilities, 5) Defendant shall work regularly at a lawful occupation, unless excused by the probation officer for schooling, training, or other accept1ble reasons. 6) Similarly, Amoateng is to notify his probation officer at least ten days prior to change in residence or employment, 7) Defendant shall refrain from excessive use of alcohol and shall not purchase, possess, use, distribute or administer a controlled substance or a paraphernalia related to a controlled substance, except as prescribed by a physician, 8) The defendant shall not frequent where controlled substances are illegally sold, used, distributed or administered, 9) Defendant shall not associate with any persons engaged in criminal activity and shall not associate with any person convicted of a felony, unless granted permission to do so by the probation officer. Amoateng shall, 10) permit probation officer to visit him at any time at home or elsewhere and shall permit confiscation of any contraband observed in plain view of the probation officer, 11) Defendant, shall notify the probation officer within 72 hours of being arrested or questioned by law enforcement officer, 12) Defendant shall not enter into any agreement to act as an informer or special agent of a law enforcement agency without the permission of the court and 13) As directed by the probation officer, the defendant shall notify third parties of risks that may be occasioned by the defendant's criminal record or personal history or characteristics and shall permit the probation officer to make such notifications and confirm the defendant's compliance with such notification.