A Seattle man affiliated with a violent street gang, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 96 months in prison and three years of supervised release, announced U.S.  Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  Dennis Ray Richards, 35, was arrested Aug. 3, 2011, after  leading police on a high-speed chase and crashing his car into a tree.

Richards was trying to flee from Seattle Police and FBI agents who had investigated him following a series of crack  cocaine sales to undercover officers.  Richards pleaded guilty in October 2011 to distribution  of crack cocaine.  The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik.

According to records filed in the case, Richards is affiliated with the Pointside Gangster Crip street gang.  Richards sold crack cocaine to a person working with law  enforcement on two different occasions in October 2010 and January 2011.  After Richards was charged, law enforcement officers went to arrest him and he crashed his car following the  high-speed chase.  In the car, officers discovered additional crack cocaine.  Richards has four  prior convictions for drug dealing.

Prosecutors said Richards’ lengthy criminal history qualified him as a career offender,  facing enhanced penalties under the sentencing guidelines.  Due to his history of drug addiction,  prosecutors also recommended drug treatment while incarcerated.

The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department and the FBI.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vince Lombardi.