Philly Men Plotted to Rob NJ Cocaine House to Resell Drugs

Two men who plotted to rob a drug stash house in order to sell the stolen cocaine have been convicted by a federal jury in New Jersey of crimes related to the scheme.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman says Ralph Dennis and Terrance “Fat Cat” Hardee, both of Philadelphia, were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit robbery and one count of conspiracy to possess more than 5 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute.

According to the evidence at trial:

In June and July of last year, Dennis and Hardee planned of a gunpoint drug stash house robbery. They prepared to steal multiple kilograms of cocaine from the drug dealers at the location, then sell it themselves to make a profit.

During the investigation, Dennis was recorded discussing his willingness to kill anyone they found inside the house as they were robbing it. Hardee was recorded talking about his role which was to be tying the house’s occupants up with zip ties.

Special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrested the pair when they showed up in Maple Shade, on their way to the robbery location, Dennis carrying a gun. Dennis and Hardee also brought gloves, and zip ties were found in the car they drove.

The defendants face a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison on the robbery conspiracy charge and a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison on the cocaine distribution charge. Dennis also faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison – consecutive to the sentence imposed for the robbery conspiracy – and a maximum of life in prison for the gun offense. Each count also carries a maximum $250,000 fine.

A sentencing date has not yet been set.