Armed Marijuana Dealer Sentenced in Federal Court

       Acting United States Attorney Steve Butler of the Southern District of Alabama announced that an armed marijuana dealer was sentenced to time served in federal court this morning.  Court documents reflect that Johnny Devon Brannon, 24, of Mobile, was charged with theft of mail, conspiracy to distribute and distribution of marijuana, and using, carrying and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking felony.  Court documents also reflect that Brannon, an employee at a mail handling station, assisted by his co-defendant Steven Bernard Tate, Jr., were intercepting packages, which they believed to contain marijuana illegally shipped via the mail.  Security equipment at the facility captured images of Tate and Brannon opening packages, hiding packages of marijuana in their clothing, and leaving with it.  When confronted by authorities, both admitted their illegal activities.  The third co-defendant, Harold James Griffin, Jr., was also implicated as receiving the marijuana and assisting in its distribution.  Brannon used his vehicle to transport the marijuana from the facility to other locations, and a search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of drugs, drug paraphernalia and a handgun.  Brannon admitted he had the gun for protection because he had been robbed several times selling marijuana.  Brannon pled guilty to the charges in November of 2016.

      United States District Court Judge William H. Steele imposed a sentence in Brannon’s case of time served.  He ordered that Brannon serve a three-year term of supervised release.   He also ordered that Brannon pay the mandatory $300 in special assessments but did not impose a fine. 

     The case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Postal Inspectors.  It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.
 
      A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama at http://www.justice.gov/usao/als/