Freshman business major gets 4 years for drug start-up

RADFORD, Va. – A freshman business major will now spend his next four years in prison for running what authorities called a “mini drug syndicate” at Radford University.

Selling cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana paid for the off-campus apartment of 18-year-old Gabriel Eduardo Yus-Baez, where he kept $25,000 and a 9mm gun.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch says a judge gave him a 35-year sentence, but reduced it to less than four years with time served, as long as the young man stays out of trouble. Yus-Baez also must pay a $4,000 fine, among other penalties.

The Times-Dispatch quotes Yus-Baez as saying he was ensnared by fast money. His lawyer Jimmy Turk says he was simply young and stupid.

But prosecutor Chris Rehak says Yus-Baez is a major player in a drug organization.

___

Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.richmond.com