A Guilty Plea to Federal Drug Charges
Posted/updated on: June 1, 2012 at 2:37 am
TEXARKANA – A northeast Texas man has pleaded in federal court to simple possession of a controlled substance. Ezekiel Tyree Welch, 20, of Dekalb, entered his plea Wednesday in Texarkana in an appearance before United States Magistrate Caroline M. Craven.
Federal prosecutors say, on or about August 19, 2011, Welch tried to enter the Red River Army Depot in Bowie County by presenting a temporary pass. The officer at the gate of the facility smelled a strong odor of marijuana emanating from Welch’s person. The officer asked permission to conduct a pat-down search of Welch. Welch admitted that he had marijuana in his right front pocket. The marijuana, a Schedule 1 controlled substance, was tested and was found to weigh 4.17.
Welch faces a prison term not to exceed 1 year, a fine not to exceed $100,000 or both. A sentencing date has not been scheduled at this time.
