A federal jury yesterday convicted a Pinson man of two counts of possession of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine powder, and 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 Assistant Special Agent in Charge Clay Morris.
The jury returned its guilty verdict against Deveonte Brown, of Pinson, after two days of testimony before U.S. District Judge Madeline H. Haikala. Brown will be sentenced on Dec. 18, 2019.
“This type conviction is the second in two weeks in the Northern District of Alabama," Town said. “We will not tolerate criminals who pose a clear threat to our District. Criminals who plague our streets with drugs and guns will continue to be targets for federal prosecution where the debt to society is full price. No discounts. No parole."
“Dangerous criminals like Brown 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."
Evidence at trial proved that on October 6, 2017, Brown left a shoe box containing methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine powder, cocaine base, and a digital scale in his hotel room. Brown later returned to the hotel to retrieve the shoe box. Fultondale police officers attempted to confront Brown in his vehicle when he fled from police at a high rate of speed. The chase was called off due to Brown’s erratic driving. On Oct. 12, 2017, Brown was found in the passenger seat of a white dodge charger in Pinson. Brown was sitting on a bag containing over $7,000 and a gun. Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies found a bag with heroin and methamphetamine in the back seat of the car.
The penalty for possessing with intent to distribute is up to 20 years 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 investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Blake Milner and Greg Dimler prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
