Two Huntsville Men Sentenced on Drug and Gun Charges

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge today sentenced two Huntsville men on drug and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley.

U.S. District Judge Karon O. Bowdre sentenced Antonio Lavar Burton, a/k/a Fat Tony, 37, and Quincy Cortez McClendon, 37. Burton was sentenced to 156 months in prison for distributing heroin. He pleaded guilty to the charge in October 2020.  McClendon was sentenced to 144 months in prison for distributing heroin, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. McClendon pleaded guilty to the charges in March. 

“Alabama’s opioid crisis is eroding the quality of life for many of our residents. Misuse of prescription opioid pain medicine puts people at risk of turning to heroin and eventual overdose.” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “These defendants profited from the misery of addiction and will now spend many years in prison. We are grateful to the Huntsville Police Department, DEA, and the U.S. Marshals for their work to combat violent crime and heroin trafficking in Northern Alabama.”

“The successful prosecution of Burton and McClendon should put others who engage in this type of activity on notice:  if you sell drugs you will face federal charges and a lengthy prison sentence,” SAC Byerley.  

DEA investigated the case, along with the Huntsville Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Becher Sr. prosecuted the case.