Anchorage Man sentenced to 84 months prison for drug firearm conviction

Anchorage, Alaska B U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that a resident of Anchorage was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage for possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Paul Baldwin, 22, from Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess.  Baldwin received a sentence of 84 months prison and three years of supervised release.  Baldwin had previously pled guilty to an indictment charging him with one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Cavanaugh, who prosecuted the case, in November 2012, while driving toward Fairbanks, Baldwin was pulled over by the Alaska State Troopers (AST) for speeding near Talkeetna, Alaska.  During a search of the vehicle, the AST found crack cocaine, several grams of powder cocaine, heroin, and several ounces of marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle.  The AST also found a loaded .40 caliber pistol inside of a duffle bag.  Baldwin had two prior convictions that were punishable by a prison term exceeding one year.  The defendant was travelling to Fairbanks to sell the illegal drugs found in the vehicle and it is well known that retail prices for illegal drugs are significantly higher in Fairbanks than in Anchorage.

Prior to imposing a sentence, Judge Burgess said that he was concerned for the safety of the community and that Baldwin put himself, his passenger, and the people he was selling drugs to at risk with his behavior.  Judge Burgess also stated that Baldwin was a “young man”, and that if he did not choose a different path after he was released from prison, that he would likely end up spending the rest of his life in prison.

            Ms. Loeffler commended the Alaska State Troopers, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Baldwin.