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Description: Mobile, Alabama criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Jimmie Lee Avera, 35, was arrested by Foley police on May 6, 2021, on an outstanding warrant for possessing drug paraphernalia. Police subsequently executed a search warrant at a house on Lake South Drive that Avera shared with his codefendant, Caitlan Reid Bentley. During that search, police seized more than six pounds of marijuana, three guns, numerous rounds of assorted ammunition, digital scales and plastic baggies, and $41,000 in banded-up cash.

Text messages and other electronic data recovered from Avera’s cell phone showed that from at least August 2019 through May 6, 2021, he had agreed with Bentley and others to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana from the house on Lake South Drive. Avera admitted to police that he had previously served time in Florida state prison for a robbery conviction involving what he described as a “drug deal gone wrong.” Avera further admitted that he knew he was not supposed to possess the guns found in his house because he is a convicted felon.

Senior United States District Judge William H. Steele ordered Avera to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will undergo drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Steele ordered Avera to pay $200 in special assessments and ordered that Avera’s guns and ammunition be forfeited to the United States.

In November 2021, Bentley pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute marijuana and methamphetamine. Judge Steele sentenced her to time served (one day in custody), with a three-year term of supervised release to follow.

U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Foley Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

CONSPIRACY TO POSSESS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE [marijuana and methamphetamine]
(1)

VIOLENT CRIME/DRUGS/MACHINE GUN
(4)

Outcome: Defendant is committed to the BOP for a term of 61 MONTHS; said term consists of one month as to Count One and 60 months as to Count Four; said term is to run consecutively to the sentence imposed in Count One; said term is to run concurrently with any yet imposed state court sentence. Defendant is to receive credit for time served. It is recommended that defendant be allowed to participate in residential, comprehensive substance abuse treatment while incarcerated. SRT 5 YEARS; said term consists of three years as to Count One and five years as to Count Four; said terms to run concurrently. Defendant is to participate in urine surveillance, drug and/or alcohol treatment as directed by the Probation Office. Model search condition imposed. SA $200.00.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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