Two Columbia Men Sentenced for Distributing Crack Cocaine

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two Columbia, Mo., men were sentenced in federal court today in separate and unrelated cases related to distributing crack cocaine.

USA v. Jennings

Robert Jennings, 52, of Columbia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to five years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Jennings to forfeit $4,626 to the government, which was the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.

On Oct. 20, 2015, Jennings pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. His co-defendant, Brittany Michelle Doxley, 29, of Columbia, also has pleaded guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and was sentenced on Aug. 12, 2015, to five years in federal prison without parole.

Jennings admitted that he conspired with Doxley to distribute crack cocaine from their shared residence from March 21 to July 11, 2013. Jennings, while on probation for an earlier state drug-trafficking conviction, was involved in several drug transactions with a law enforcement informant. The informant told investigators that Jennings was distributing approximately 2.5 ounces of crack cocaine every couple of days. In violation of his parole, Jennings repeatedly traveled to New Orleans to acquire some of the crack cocaine involved in this case.

On July 11, 2013, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residence shared by Jennings and Doxley. Officers seized 83.23 grams of crack cocaine, $4,616 and a Kel-Tec 9mm semi-automatic pistol that belonged to Jennings.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to possess a firearm or ammunition. Jennings has a prior felony conviction for drug trafficking.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony P. Gonzalez. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

USA v. Carter

Branon Jay Carter, also known as “Ball,” 31, of Columbia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to five years in federal prison without parole.

On Sept. 8, 2015, Carter pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.

From February through April 2012, Carter sold cocaine and crack cocaine to a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper, working as an undercover officer and utilizing the assistance of a confidential informant, on several occasions. On April 16, 2012, for example, Carter sold the undercover officer 28.5 grams of crack cocaine for $1,250. Four buys of crack cocaine were made, which totaled 32.85 grams. Four purchases of cocaine powder were also made, which totaled 32.94 grams.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.