Federal Jury Convicts Birmingham Man on Drug and Gun Charges
A federal jury took only an hour and half today to convict a Birmingham man of possession of 230 grams of cocaine base, also known as “crack" cocaine, with the intent to distribute, and one-count of possession of a gun in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E, Town and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Clay Morris.
The jury returned its guilty verdict against Edwin Pettaway, 46, of Birmingham, after three days of testimony before U.S. District Judge Annemarie Axon. Pettaway will be sentenced on Nov. 13, 2019.
Evidence at the trial proved that on Nov. 15, 2017, Pettaway was found to be in possession of crack cocaine and a firearm in furtherance of the drug crime. Upon entering the residence, agents found Mr. Pettaway in a bedroom with 230 grams of “crack" cocaine, digital scales, packaging materials, and a firearm among his personal belongings.
“Convicted felons with drugs and firearms pose a clear threat to every person in the Northern District," Town said. “Our prosecutors will not leave their fight in the dressing room when bringing threats like Pettaway to justice. Beds are reserved in federal prison for those who continue to plague our communities with illegal drugs and guns. Our prison beds can never be too full of these dangerous criminals."
“Dangerous criminals like Pettaway need to take notice that DEA and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate their criminal activities," Morris said. “Drugs and guns are a deadly combination that often end with violent acts. Again, today’s verdict should send a resounding message to all drug dealers in Alabama. We will target you, investigate you, and ensure that you go to prison in order to make our communities safe."
The penalty for possessing with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base is a minimum of 5 years in prison. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries an additional sentence of 5 years that cannot be run concurrently with the drug sentence.
The Drug Enforcement Administration along with the Birmingham Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys William G. Simpson and John G. Camp prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
