FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               CONTACT:  DAVILYN WALSTON
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2007                                            PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/txe                                                      PHONE: (409) 839-2538
                                                                                                            CELL: (409) 553-9881

GILMER MAN GUILTY OF FEDERAL FIREARMS VIOLATIONS

TYLER, TX – United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that a 20-year-old Gilmer man has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas. 

DAMON DEWAYNE DARDEN admitted to being a felon in possession of a firearm today before United States Magistrate Judge John Love.

According to information presented in court, on October 20, 2006, Darden sold crack cocaine for $40 and a revolver for $50 to an individual in Upshur County.  Darden was previously convicted of drug possession in Smith County in 1999 and theft in Upshur County in 2000, thereby prohibiting him from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

Darden could receive up to ten years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00 at sentencing.  A sentencing date has not been set.

            The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Gilmer Police Department investigated this case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregg A. Marchessault.

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