United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

WICHITA FALLS MEN SENTENCED TO
LENGTHY FEDERAL PRISON TERMS
FOR DRUG AND FIREARMS CONVICTIONS

United States District Judge Jerry Buchmeyer sentenced Carlos Rashad Gould, age 27, of Wichita Falls, Texas, to 22 ½ years (270 months) imprisonment following his convictions in federal court in Dallas for drug and firearm offenses. In April 2006, Gould pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base, also known as "crack" cocaine, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of this drug trafficking crime.

In September 2005, Gould and Alfred William Bryant, age 36, also of Wichita Falls, were indicted by a federal grand jury for various drug and firearm offenses that occurred in May 2005, in Wichita Falls. Specifically, on May 9, 2005, officers with the Wichita Falls Police Department executed a search warrant at a "crack" house, that is, a residence used for storing and distributing crack cocaine, and found Gould and Bryant there with a large quantity of crack cocaine and firearms, to include an assault rifle and a high-powered semi-automatic pistol. In fact, Gould ran from the residence with more than 30 grams of crack cocaine in his pocket, but he was caught by the police after a short foot chase. Altogether, the police recovered approximately 100 grams of crack cocaine, having a street value of at least $10,000, a small quantity of marijuana, and five firearms.

Gould admitted that he and Bryant were selling crack cocaine at this residence and that he was working for Bryant as the "enforcer," guarding the crack house and wielding a gun to ensure that drug customers paid for the drugs that were distributed.

On April 26, 2006, Bryant was convicted by a federal jury following his trial in Dallas for his part in this matter, and on August 3, 2006, Judge Buchmeyer sentenced him to life imprisonment, without parole, for the drug offenses and to 30 years imprisonment for the firearm offenses, which must be served consecutively to the drug sentences.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative work of the Wichita Falls Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Tromblay.

# # #