Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

TYLER, Texas – A 29-year-old Palestine, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Clifford Murray pleaded guilty on Nov. 6, 2013, to possession with intent to distribute approximately 11.6 grams of crack cocaine and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider.  Murray was also ordered to pay a $20,000 judgment and submit to forfeiture of seized firearms and cash.

According to information presented in court, on Mar. 14, 2013, Murray was found at a residence on South Jackson Street in Palestine, Texas, in possession of crack cocaine, which he intended to distribute to others.  Murray also admitted to possessing three pistols, a pistol-grip shotgun, ammunition and $8,907 in cash, all in connection with his drug trafficking activities. 

This case was investigated by the Palestine Police Department, the Anderson County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

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