Armed Loxley Meth Dealer Sentenced to Fifteen Years
MOBILE, AL – A Loxley, Alabama, man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for his participation in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine ice and possession of a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, Jonathon Howard Beck, 39, was identified during an investigation in which investigators used a confidential informant to make controlled purchases of methamphetamine ice from him. The informant was equipped with audio and video devices to record the transactions with Beck, and during the buy, Beck is seen handling a firearm as the drug deal was taking place. A search warrant was obtained for Beck’s residence and investigators discovered and seized additional methamphetamine ice and two pistols. After the federal indictment was returned, an arrest warrant was issued for Beck. When investigators arrived at Beck’s residence to arrest him, they observed drug paraphernalia in plain view in the residence, and they obtained another search warrant. The execution of the second warrant yielded more methamphetamine, drug proceeds and several firearms, including two guns with obliterated serial numbers.
United States District Court Judge Callie V.S. Granade imposed the 15-year sentence, consisting of 10 years on the drug charge and five years on the gun charge, which will run consecutively. The judge further ordered that Beck would also serve five years on supervised release following his imprisonment. As conditions of his supervision, Beck will also undergo testing and treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse, and he will be subject to a search of his person and premises upon reasonable suspicion. No fine was imposed but the judge ordered that Beck pay $200 in special assessments. All the firearms used during the commission of the offenses were ordered forfeited to the United States.
The case was investigated by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Baldwin County Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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