FORT SMITH (KFSM) – A Fort Smith man, named a “career offender,” was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison for distributing methamphetamine, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas Conner Eldridge.
Vernice C. Christian, 37, was sentenced to 150 months in prison, plus three years of supervised release after being convicted on two counts of distribution of meth on Tuesday (Sept. 30), the release states.
Judge Paul K. Holmes III presided over the sentencing in U.S. District Court in Fort Smith, according to the release.
U. S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Today’s sentence shows that my office and local and federal law enforcement remain focused on drug trafficking throughout the Western District, and that career offenders who continue to commit crimes and deal drugs have no place in our communities.”
Two times in the fall of 2013, authorities made controlled purchases of meth from Christian in Fort Smith, the release states.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury on Dec. 17, 2013, and he was subsequently found guilty on both counts of distribution of meth on April 18, according to the release.
During sentencing, Christian was determined to be a career offender due to having at least two prior felony convictions on either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense, the release states.
Fort Smith Police Chief Kevin Lindsey said, “The strength of the partnerships between federal and local law enforcement agencies in Fort Smith is a definitive burden to drug dealers and other criminals who operate in our community.”
