Tyler Man Guilty of Dealing Cocaine
Posted/updated on: September 12, 2012 at 1:52 pm
TYLER – A 40-year-old Tyler man has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. Christopher Florence pleaded guilty Tuesday in Tyler to possession with intent to distribute cocaine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.
According to information presented in court, on Jan. 27, 2011, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence on County Road 141 in Overton. While the warrant was being executed, Florence was observed attempting to discard a semi-automatic pistol, $1,757 in cash and approximately 6.16 grams of cocaine base in the yard of the residence. Florence admitted to possessing the cocaine with the intent to distribute it to others in the area. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 15, 2011.
Florence faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. A co-defendant, Don Paul Haynes, was sentenced to time served on Mar. 21, 2012. Another co-defendant, Francie Irene Jernigan-Haynes, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison on Apr. 13, 2012.
