Trafficking fentanyl tops charges in sentencing of 3 habitual offenders
Three habitual offenders were sentenced last week on charges from trafficking fentanyl to conspiracy to sell cocaine.
Circuit Court Judge Dewey Arthur on March 28 sentenced Torrey Powell of Canton to a total of 40 years for two counts of possession of methamphetamine.
He also sentenced Carlos Dominque Allen of Jackson to 100 years for the sale of fentanyl, trafficking in fentanyl, possession of hydrocodone, and possession of amphetamine.
In addition, Judge Brad Mills sentenced Lucas Howard to serve 60 years after a jury convicted him of possession of cocaine with the intent to sell and conspiracy to sell cocaine.
Madison County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett said that, like Powell, both Allen and Howard are habitual offenders and he warned last week the dangers drugs pose.
“A statement was made Monday with these three important sentences,” Bramlett said. “We are thankful for the tireless efforts of our law enforcement, jurors, and judicial system, who are all doing their diligent part to get these drugs and felons off our streets.”
Powell had at least six prior felony convictions in Oklahoma, Georgia, and Mississippi, Bramlett said.
“Because he had been previously convicted of drug offenses, he was considered a subsequent drug offender, which doubled his maximum sentence on the current drug offenses,” Bramlett said. “He was also a non-violent habitual offender, which requires that he serve the maximum sentence allowed by law without parole or early release.”
On April 29, 2020, an officer with the Madison Police Department made a routine traffic stop. Powell was the driver of the car, but a female and infant child were in the backseat, Bramlett said.
The officer found Powell did not have a valid driver’s license or insurance and asked Powell to step out of the car. For safety reasons, Powell was patted down, where a pill bottle was found in Powell’s front pocket. Powell admitted the bottle contained ecstasy pills, methamphetamine, and heroin.