Heroin Dealer Arrested In Morgan County Sentenced To Federal Prison

Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that William Joshua Stowe, age 27, of Madison, Georgia, was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was imposed by Senior United States District Court Judge C. Ashley Royal in Athens, Georgia on March 7, 2018.

There is no parole in the federal system.

In his plea agreement, Mr. Stowe admitted that on December 14, 2016, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office deputies served a search warrant at his house in Madison after a confidential source bought heroin there.  In executing the warrant, the police seized 6 grams of heroin, two shotguns, a rifle, a 9mm pistol, and various drug paraphernalia.  On the date of his arrest, Mr. Stowe had two prior felony convictions for burglary and a felony theft conviction.  The police also arrested Mr. Stowe’s half-brother, Edward Vance Tallon, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Mr. Tallon has pled guilty, and his sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2018.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October, 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

“Guns and drugs are a recurring theme in our local communities and in our nation. It is the goal of my office to make substantial penitentiary sentences for those who deal in these items a recurring part of that theme as well,” said United States Attorney Peeler.

The case was investigated by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Peter D. Leary prosecuted the case for the Government.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.