Montgomery Man Sentenced Following Federal Drug And Gun Convictions

             Montgomery, Ala. –    On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, Ronnie White, 51, from Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for distribution of cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. Following his prison sentence, White will serve three years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

            According to court records, in 2017 law enforcement began to suspect that White was involved in the distribution of illegal drugs. Agents confirmed that suspicion on August 22, 2017 when they discovered White was buying cocaine from co-defendant and Island Delight Caribbean Restaurant co-owner, Richard Smith, with intention to re-sell to others. Later, on March 9, 2020, the Montgomery Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle White was driving and found a .40 caliber handgun. White is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. White pleaded guilty to illegal distribution of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on October 22, 2020.

            Co-defendant Smith was convicted by a federal jury last month of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, and using a cell phone to further a drug trafficking conspiracy. Smith’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 29, 2021.

            This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Montgomery Police Department, with assistance from the Prattville Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), and the Alabama National Guard Counterdrug program. Assistant United States Attorneys Russell T. Duraski and Mark E. Andreu prosecuted the case.