From The Tribune staff reports
TUSCALOOSA– A federal judge sentenced a convicted felon from Tuscaloosa on drug and gun charges on Thursday, Oct. 26.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced Marzette Thomas, 37, of Tuscaloosa, to 111 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the plea agreement, on May 26, 2022, the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence in Tuscaloosa, seeking evidence related to drug distribution and trafficking. A confidential informant made a controlled purchase of narcotics from Thomas inside the residence less than 48 hours before the search warrant was executed. Upon searching the apartment, officers found pills containing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and eutylone, and marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and digital scales.
Officers also found five firearms in the residence, three of which were stolen. Thomas is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of multiple prior felony convictions. Thomas was convicted in August 2020, in the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County of attempted distribution of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
FBI and DEA investigated the case, along with the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel McBrayer prosecuted the case.