United
States Attorney
Northern District of Texas
1100
Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699
Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978
www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn
WICHITA FALLS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG AND FIREARM OFFENSES
AND FACES 15 YEARS TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT, WITHOUT PAROLE
Andrew Eugene Byrd, of Wichita Falls, Texas, pled guilty in federal court in Dallas this week to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (commonly known as "crack" cocaine), possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Byrd, 27, who was indicted by a federal grand jury for these four offenses in December 2006, faces at least 15 years to life in prison, without parole, for these crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2007, in Dallas before U.S. Senior District Judge Jerry Buchmeyer.
According to court documents, on November 28, 2006, officers with the Wichita Falls Police Department executed a search warrant at Byrd's residence targeting narcotics and discovered large quantities of crack cocaine, methamphetamine and drug distribution paraphernalia. Also, officers discovered four handguns and approximately $45,000 in cash in the same room as the drugs, which was determined to be the proceeds of illegal drug sales. It appeared that Byrd was running a large-scale drug distribution operation in Wichita Falls. Officers noted that Byrd had a prior felony conviction which involved a firearm, making it unlawful for him to possess firearms.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Wichita Falls Police Department. The case was presented to the U.S. Attorney's Office for federal prosecution as part of the Project Safe Neighborhood initiative, which is geared toward the aggressive prosecution of firearm-related offenses. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Tromblay.
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