Lincoln Parish Man Pleads Guilty To Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine

MONROE, La. –A Ruston man pleaded guilty to bringing methamphetamine into Louisiana for sale, U.S.Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today.

Gale Allen Schoonover, 54, of Ruston, La., entered a conditional guilty plea for one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes.  The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Court Judge Robert G. James.  According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Schoonover was arrested on March 14, 2014 after returning from Dallas, where he had obtained methamphetamine that he intended to sell in Lincoln Parish.  Law enforcement agents received information that the defendant was transporting methamphetamine for sale and monitored his whereabouts until the arrest.  Schoonover possessed a total of 105.62 grams of pure methamphetamine as well as 1.735 kilograms of marijuana.

Schoonover faces up to 20 years in prison, three years supervised release, and a $1 million fine. A sentencing date of December 11, 2014 was set.

The DEA and the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell is prosecuting the case.