EAst Texas REPEAT OFFENDER PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT

A 56 year-old Longview man pled guilty in federal court to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm announced Acting U.S. Attorney, Brit Featherston, today.

According to the evidence presented at his plea hearing, Gerald Dwayne Templeton (Templeton) was found to be in possession of weapons and cocaine at a residence in Longview, Texas when the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement (CODE) Unit executed a search warrant there on March 1, 2016. Templeton and his co-defendant, Teresa Ann Bean, (Bean) were both located within the residence at the time of the search. During the search of the residence, officers recovered several pieces of cocaine, used rubber gloves and a box of unused rubber gloves, significant since Templeton was wearing rubber gloves when he was arrested.  Officers also found several empty plastic bags, staples, razor blades and cocaine residue, all indicative of drug trafficking.  Altogether, agents recovered approximately 35 grams of cocaine.

In addition to the drugs, officers also recovered two shotguns, one of which had been “sawed off,” and multiple rounds of ammunition of various calibers.

At sentencing, Templeton is facing a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine.   Charges against Bean are still pending.

This case was investigated by the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement (CODE) Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Tyler Field Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.