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 MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 41 YEARS
ON FEDERAL DRUG AND FIREARM CONVICTIONS

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that Empra Jeron Holt, of Wichita Falls, Texas, was sentenced today to 495 months (more than 41 years) by the Honorable Jerry Buchmeyer, United States Senior District Judge. Holt, age 24, pled guilty in August to four counts of a federal indictment charging one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base, one count of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base, and two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States Attorney Roper applauded the stiff punishment and added, “This sentence clearly warns those engaged in drug trafficking that a long stay in federal prison may be in their future.”

On May 31, 2005, officers with the Wichita Falls Police Department obtained a search warrant targeting drugs at a house located at 1307 Harding in Wichita Falls. Empra Jeron Holt was named in the search warrant as the person suspected of selling cocaine base (“crack”cocaine) at that house. As the search team was en route to the residence, an officer watching the residence observed Holt leaving the residence in his vehicle, a purple 1971 Chevrolet Impala. The defendant was stopped and taken to the residence where he was informed that officers had a search warrant authorizing them to search his home for drugs and related evidence. As a result of the search at the residence, officers seized 99.09 grams of cocaine base, 2.72 pounds of marijuana, and a set of digital scales (drug distribution paraphernalia). Officers also found an additional 3.73 grams of cocaine base inside a shoe at the residence. Holt also had $3,587.00 on his person, which was money derived from illegal drug sales, and officers found an additional $4,020.00 in his residence. Officers also found a loaded .38 caliber revolver, tucked under the mattress of his bed, strategically placed for easy access and to protect his interests in the drugs and drug money.

On June 28, 2005, Holt was the front seat passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for a traffic offense in Wichita Falls. As one officer spoke with the driver about the reason for the stop, another officer watched Holt and noticed that he kept reaching for something in the waistband of his shorts and instructed him to keep his hands where he could see them. For safety reasons, the officer removed Holt from the vehicle, frisked him and discovered a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol tucked in his waistband. The pistol was fully loaded, with a round in the chamber, and the hammer was cocked, evidencing that the pistol was ready to fire. The officer also found 28.31 grams of cocaine base in the pocket of the Holt’s shorts.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts 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.

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