United States Attorney Leura G. Canary Middle District of Alabama

TWO TROY MEN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR DRUG AND GUN CONVICTIONS

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA – Roy Beeman, age 35, and Fredrick Anthony Smith, age 25, both of Troy, Alabama, have been sentenced to federal prison after having been convicted on charges of illegal possession of firearms and narcotics, United States Attorney Leura G. Canary announced today.

Beeman and Smith were both sentenced in United States District Court in Montgomery on April 25, 2008. Beeman previously pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, to possessing cocaine base (crack cocaine) and cocaine hydrochloride (powder cocaine) with intent to distribute, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. As a result of these offenses, Beeman was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison, to be followed by 8 years of supervised release. Smith pled guilty to charges of aiding and abetting, possession of cocaine base (crack cocaine) and cocaine hydrochloride (powder cocaine) with intent to distribute, and was sentenced to 44 months in federal prison to be followed by 4 years of supervised release.

Beeman and Smith were stopped on June 7, 2007, in Troy, Alabama by Troy Police Department Officers for a traffic violation. Beeman immediately fled the scene on foot and the Troy police captured him shortly thereafter. When police approached the car they noticed a pill bottle with suspected cocaine in it and placed Smith under arrest. During a search of the vehicle, police discovered more than 22 grams of cocaine base, more than 15 grams of cocaine powder, a small amount of marijuana, scales, and cash. Police also discovered a pistol under the passenger seat where Beeman was sitting. Police then discovered additional firearms in the trunk of the vehicle. Both Beeman and Smith admitted when they pled guilty that the cocaine was possessed with the intent to distribute it. Beeman was previously convicted of two felony offenses for possession of a controlled substance and receiving stolen property. As a result, he was prohibited from possessing any firearms.

The case was investigated as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Middle District of Alabama’s Alabama ICE programs, aimed at preventing violent crime and the illegal possession of firearms. According to United States Attorney Leura G. Canary, “The Alabama ICE program is aimed at prosecuting those who use guns to facilitate crimes, such as drug trafficking. Drugs and guns create a dangerous mix that threatens the safety of our community.”

This case was investigated through the joint efforts of the Troy Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Shepherd.