GLEN EARL SIMS, age 35, of Bremerton, Washington, was found guilty today in Federal District Court of five charges relating to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest after being convicted of a felony offense, and possessing the gun in furtherance of drug trafficking. He faces up to twenty (20) years imprisonment on the drug count, ten (10) years on each of the gun and ammunition charges, three (3) years on the body armor charge, and five (5) years to life imprisonment on the firearm possession in furtherance of drug trafficking charge. The latter five to life term must be consecutive to the sentences on the other counts. His prison time will be followed by at least five (5) years of supervised release, when he is sentenced on April 29, 2005 by United States District Judge Franklin D. Burgess.

Court records show that on July 31, 2004, deputies with the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop in unincorporated Kitsap County outside of Bremerton. During the stop, deputies saw a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol under the passenger's (SIMS') seat. During a search of SIMS, it was discovered that he was wearing a bulletproof vest. When officers searched a bag found on the seat next to SIMS, they discovered that it contained twenty rounds of 9mm ammunition and a locked metal box. When deputies later opened the locked box pursuant to a search warrant, they discovered a small amount of cocaine and over two grams of methamphetamine. Also found with the drugs were a digital scale and empty baggies indicative of an intent to distribute the narcotics.

SIMS had previous felony convictions from King County Superior Court for Assault in the Second Degree, Delivery of Cocaine, and Possession of Cocaine. He also had a prior felony conviction from U.S. District Court for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. SIMS also has numerous misdemeanor convictions.

SIMS was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program. Unveiled by President George W. Bush in May 2001, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), is a comprehensive and strategic approach to gun law enforcement. PSN is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America by networking both new and existing local programs that target gun crime and then providing them with the resources and tools they need to succeed. Implementation at the local level -- in this case, in Port Orchard and Kitsap County -- has fostered close partnerships between federal, state and local prosecutors and law enforcement.

This case was primarily investigated by members of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives. The case was investigated and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory A. Gruber and Special Assistant United States Attorney Claire A. Bradley of the Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office.

For further information, please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington at (206) 553-4110.

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