On February 6, 2025, Clifford Lane Brown from Roanoke, Alabama, was sentenced to 19 years in prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The announcement came from Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. In addition to the prison term, Brown will be on supervised release for five years after his sentence. It is important to note that there is no parole in the federal system.
The case began on June 3, 2021, when deputies from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office visited a home in Roanoke for an unrelated investigation. Upon arrival, they noticed a vehicle parked near the porch with two occupants inside: a female and Brown. As officers approached the car, they saw Brown holding a handgun. He complied when ordered to put it down. A search of the vehicle revealed six plastic bags of methamphetamine, marijuana in a small glass jar, a hypodermic needle, and several rounds of ammunition. Due to previous felony convictions, Brown is barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) analyzed the seized methamphetamine and found it weighed 76 grams with a purity level of 98 percent. On October 28, 2024, Brown pleaded guilty to possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
The investigation involved the Randolph County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), supported by DEA analysis. Assistant United States Attorney Justin L. Jones prosecuted the case.