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, TEXAS, MAN SENTENCED TO NEARLY 15 YEARS
IN FEDERAL PRISON, ON CRACK COCAINE CONVICTION

DALLAS - James Kenneth Owens, of Wichita Falls, Texas, was sentenced today in federal court by U.S. Senior District Judge Jerry Buchmeyer, to 175 months in prison, the upper limit of the U.S. Sentencing Guideline range, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper. Owens pled guilty in November 2006 to a one-count indictment charging possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (crack cocaine).

According to documents filed in Court, in early 2006, the Wichita Falls Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating James Kenneth Owens for the distribution of crack cocaine in the Wichita Falls area. On March 6, 2006, officers with the Wichita Falls Police Department executed a search warrant at a motel room in the Budget Inn Motel located on East Scott Street in Wichita Falls, where Owens was staying. Inside the room, officers found a plastic bag with approximately one ounce of crack cocaine underneath the dresser. On top of the same dresser was a set of digital scales and two prescription pill bottles with Owens’ name on them. On the nightstand were numerous pieces of mail addressed to Owens as well as receipts bearing his name. When Owens, who was unemployed, was arrested, he had $469 in his possession and had the key to his motel room on his key ring.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Wichita Falls Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Tromblay.

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