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Date: 03-05-2019
Case Style:
United States of America v. Eddie James Rhodes
Case Number: 1:17-cr-00085-LG-RHW
Judge: Louis Guirola, Jr.
Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (Harrison County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Stan Harris and Annette Williams
Defendant's Attorney: Christopher E. Smith
Description:
Gulfport, MS - Stone County Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
Eddie James Rhodes, 62, of Stone County, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
In February 2013, the Stone County/City of Wiggins Narcotics Task Force received information that Eddie Rhodes and Stacey Bond purchased pseudoephedrine on multiple occasions and in multiple locations in order to manufacture methamphetamine. Rhodes’ home was subsequently searched pursuant to a search warrant, revealing precursor chemicals, equipment and material consistent with the manufacture of methamphetamine in what would be commonly referred to as a “clandestine meth lab.”
Law enforcement officers seized pseudoephedrine, chemicals, equipment and materials used to manufacture methamphetamine, along with firearms and ammunition, inside a hidden compartment under a trapdoor in the floor. Further investigation revealed that Rhodes and Bond conspired together to make pseudoephedrine purchases later used by Rhodes to manufacture meth, some of which Rhodes would distribute to Bond.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) joined the investigation and determined that one of the firearms seized was a 20-gauge, double barrel shotgun that had both barrels sawed off, creating a short-barrel shotgun. The other firearm was a .22 caliber firearm manufactured as a rifle with the stock cut off or removed, creating a ‘pistol grip’ handle. The ATF verified that Rhodes has had multiple felony convictions, making it unlawful for him to possess any firearm or ammunition.
Rhodes faces a minimum penalty of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison plus a $250,000 fine and 5 years of supervised release.
Bond pled guilty on January 30, 2019, to using a communications facility in facilitating the commission of an act constituting a felony under the Controlled Substances Act (aiding and abetting). Bond will be sentenced by Judge Guirola on April 30, 2019, and faces a maximum of 4 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Stone County Sheriff’s Office, the Wiggins Police Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
Charge:
CONSPIRACY TO POSSESS PSEUDOEPHEDRINE WITH INTENT TO MANUFACTURE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
(1)
CONSPIRACY TO POSSESS PSEUDOEPHEDRINE WITH INTENT TO MANUFACTURE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
(1s)
POSSESSION OF PSEUDOEPHEDRINE WITH INTENT TO MANUFACTURE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
(2)
POSSESSION OF PSEUDOEPHEDRINE WITH INTENT TO MANUFACTURE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
(2s)
POSSESSION OF EQUIPMENT, CHEMICALS, PRODUCTS, OR MATERIALS WITH INTENT TO MANUFACTURE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
(3)
POSSESSION OF EQUIPMENT, CHEMICALS, PRODUCTS, OR MATERIALS WITH INTENT TO MANUFACTURE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
(3s)
POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON
(4)
POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON
(4s)
POSSESSION OF AN UNREGISTERED FIREARM
(5)
POSSESSION OF AN UNREGISTERED FIREARM
(5s)
POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING AND IN RELATION TO A DRUG TRAFFICKING CRIME
(6)
POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING AND IN RELATION TO A DRUG TRAFFICKING CRIME
(6s)
POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION BY A CONVICTED FELON
(7s)
Outcome: 03/04/2019 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr: Change of Plea Hearing as to Eddie James Rhodes held on 3/4/2019. Plea Agreement and Plea Supplement accepted for filing. Plea Supplement filed under seal. Guilty plea entered by Eddie James Rhodes as to Count 6 of the Superseding Indictment. Court found the guilty plea was knowingly and voluntarily made and was accepted by the Court. Sentencing set for June 4, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. For reasons stated on the record, the defendant's Motion 71 is denied and a separate order will be entered regarding same. Agreed Preliminary Order of Forfeiture was executed. Defendant remanded to the custody of the U. S. Marshals. APPEARANCES: S. Harris, AUSA; C. Smith, CJA Counsel; D. Brown, SDUSM; N. Rosetti, DUSM; and R. Dedeaux, CSO. Court Reporter Teri Norton, Telephone Number: 228-563-1748. (VLK) (Entered: 03/04/2019)
03/04/2019 TEXT ONLY ORDER denying 71 Motion for Medical Treatment as to Eddie James Rhodes (1). For reasons stated on the record during the hearing held on 3/4/2019, Motion 71 is denied. NO FURTHER WRITTEN ORDER SHALL ISSUE BY THIS COURT. Signed by District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. on 3/4/2019. (VLK) (Entered: 03/04/2019)
03/04/2019 73 PLEA AGREEMENT as to Eddie James Rhodes. (VLK) (Entered: 03/04/2019)
03/04/2019 75 AGREED PRELIMINARY ORDER OF FORFEITURE as to Eddie James Rhodes. Signed by District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. on 3/4/2019. (VLK) (Entered: 03/04/2019)
03/04/2019 Set Hearing as to Eddie James Rhodes: Sentencing set for 6/4/2019 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 806 (Gulfport) before District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. (VLK) (Entered: 03/04/2019)
03/04/2019 76 NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT (PROBATION) Officer Matthew Becker as to Eddie James Rhodes. (RLW) (Entered: 03/04/2019)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: