Federal jury convicts man for trafficking methamphetamine, firearms charges

ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a federal jury found a Clayton man guilty of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and firearms charges.

Robert L. Snyder, 41, of Clayton, La., was found guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  United States District Judge Dee D. Drell presided over the trial. The defendant’s trial started Monday and ended Wednesday with the jury returning the guilty verdict after deliberating for about three hours.  Evidence admitted at trial revealed that law enforcement agents learned that illegal drugs were being sold out of a Clayton residence. After a search of Snyder’s home, police found more than 100 grams of methamphetamine along with numerous firearms, $1,600 in cash and $10,000 in money orders. Law enforcement revisited the property on March 4, 2014 and found more firearms in the home.  In total, law enforcement found 15 weapons and ammunition. Among the firearms was a .22 caliber rifle with the serial number removed.

Snyder faces 10 years to life in prison for the methamphetamine count, up to 10 years in prison for possession of an unregistered firearm, and up to 10 years in prison for each count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He also faces not less than five years of supervised release, a $10 million fine and forfeiture of items seized during the investigation.  The court set sentencing for March 6, 2018.

The U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, ATF and the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tennille M. Gilreath and Mary J. Mudrick are prosecuting the case.