Latest Legal News from the Federal Criminal Courts in the United States

JUNE 29, 2007

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS ARMED DRUG DEALER WHO FACES LIFE IN PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE

DALLAS - Following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis, a federal jury found defendant, William Brent, guilty on all five counts of an indictment brought in connection with drug and firearms arrests in 2005, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Brent was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine), possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. William Brent, 33, faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison; he is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2007.

The government presented evidence at trial that on April 15, 2005, Brent, a drug trafficker and convicted felon, fled from his crack house located in West Dallas as Dallas Police Department SWAT approached the house to execute a search warrant. Inside the house, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) found more than 250 grams of crack cocaine and more than one pound of marijuana. Numerous loaded firearms were found in the house, and when Brent was arrested by uniformed officers after fleeing the scene, he had two loaded semi-automatic pistols in his possession.

In addition, the jury heard evidence that on two later occasions, Brent was again found in possession of firearms and drugs. In total, the government presented evidence that Brent possessed approximately 13 firearms and more than 250 grams of crack cocaine.

Brent has two felony convictions, one for attempted murder, and is presently facing murder and aggravated assault charges in Dallas County.

The case was investigated by the ATF and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office under the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, a nationwide effort which targets gun crime.

More...»