Louisiana Man Receives Life Sentence for Orange County Drug Conspiracy

Department of Justice
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BEAUMONT, Texas – A 38-year-old Vinton, Louisiana man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Jeremy James Wimberly was found guilty by a jury on Sep. 5, 2014 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Wimberly was sentenced to life in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to information presented in court, in September and October 2013, Wimberly made two controlled deliveries of a large amount of methamphetamine to an individual in Orange County, Texas.  After the drug transaction on Oct. 23, 2013, law enforcement officers attempted to make a traffic stop on Wimberly.  However, he led them on a 23-mile high speed chase at speeds reaching approximately 135 mph in Orange County before running out of gas in south Newton County and fleeing on foot.  Wimberly was found to have discarded a gun and a large quantity of methamphetamine during the chase.  Further investigation revealed he was a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition.  Wimberly was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 6, 2013 and charged with federal drug and gun violations.

The case was investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orange Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Beaumont Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Englade and Baylor Wortham.