Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Mary E. Forehand, 40, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been sentenced to serve 15 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

"Working together, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and federal agencies removed a serious and dangerous drug criminal from the streets of the community," said U.S. Attorney Keefe. "Our agencies are committed to using our resources to assist local law enforcement however we can to enhance public safety."

The charges arose from a joint investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who were investigating methamphetamine distribution in Northeast Tallahassee. Forehand was a target of the investigation based on prior information that she had been selling methamphetamine in the area for a considerable length of time. Law enforcement officers observed several purchases at a residence and obtained a warrant last November. A search of the residence turned up several ounces of methamphetamine, drug-trafficking paraphernalia, and two loaded firearms near the front door – a .22-caliber rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun.

"This sentencing is another example of how strong law enforcement partnerships impacted both violence and drug trafficking in our continued efforts to protect the public", said ATF Special Agent in Charge Daryl McCrary, "Our strong law enforcement partnerships continue to mitigate nefarious individuals from committing further acts of violence in communities"

Sheriff Walt McNeil said, "It’s partnerships like these that our community needs to help root out the drug problem in Leon County. Your local, state, and federal law enforcement are going All In to get those who continue to do harm in our community off the streets."

Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Grogan prosecuted the case, which resulted in a guilty plea by Forehand. She was sentenced on October 28.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

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