Dallas Resident Sentenced For Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Charles Joseph Raz, age 42, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to 200 months in prison for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.

The charges arose from investigations by the Latimer County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

On May 9, 2023, Charles Joseph Raz pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.

During the plea hearing, Raz admitted that on November 27, 2021, he was stopped by a Latimer County Sheriff’s Deputy for speeding on State Highway 2.  When the deputy initiated the stop, Raz turned off the highway, dropping a gun and methamphetamine out the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle turned up baggies, digital scales, a fully loaded .45 magazine, and additional methamphetamine.  A canvas of the nearby ditch revealed a loaded .45 semi-automatic pistol, and a baggie with over 1,500 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine.

“The 200-month sentence imposed by the Court demonstrates that trafficking in illegal drugs and possessing firearms will not be tolerated and will result in significant punishment,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson.

The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee.  Raz will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.

Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States at sentencing.