BIRMINGHAM - A federal grand jury today indicted a Madison man for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Fentanyl and Alprazolam in Madison County and elsewhere in the Northern District of Alabama, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez.
A seven-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges JOSEPH WILLIAM DAVIS, 25, with the drug-distribution conspiracy in 2016 and 2017, and with possessing firearms, a Glock G22 semi-automatic handgun and a Bushmaster Carbon 15 semi-automatic rifle, in furtherance of the conspiracy. As part of the conspiracy, Davis possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on March 2, 2017, in Madison County, and both possessed and attempted to possess with the intent to distribute Alprazolam, an anti-anxiety medication, on March 8, in Cullman County, according to the indictment.
On March 2, the indictment also charges, Davis possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid at least 50 times more potent than heroin, and possessed with intent to distribute both cocaine and Alprazolam.
“Drug traffickers bring gun violence to our neighborhoods and peddle their deadly poison without regard to the pain and ruin they leave behind," Town said. “The Postal Inspection Service is one of the many law enforcement agencies working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure these drug dealers are caught, prosecuted and sent to prison."
The penalty for the conspiracy charge and for the distribution charge involving 50 grams or more of methamphetamine is 10 years to life in prison and a maximum $10 million fine. The penalty for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes is five years to life in prison, served consecutively to any other prison term imposed, and a maximum $250,000 fine.
Possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of Fentanyl carries a five- to 40-year prison sentence and a maximum $5 million fine. Possessing cocaine with intent to distribute carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Possession of Alprazolam with intent to distribute carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Postal Inspectors, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Huntsville-Madison County STAC, and the Cullman County Sheriff's Department investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Keim is prosecuting.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
