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By CASEY KNAUPP
Staff Writer

A 29-year-old Longview man pleaded guilty in a Tyler federal court Monday to selling crack cocaine.

Toby Mandell Thompson, 29, faces five to 40 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing at least 5 grams but less than 50 grams of crack, between December 2006 and February 2007.

He was initially indicted with two others for conspiracy to possess and distribute at least 150 grams but less than 500 grams of crack in Gregg County, according to his indictment.

In U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith Guthrie’s court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Moore said the actual amount of crack that can be contributed to Thompson was at least 50 grams but less than 150 grams of crack.

Eric Deshun Head, 30, Longview, pleaded guilty Feb. 4 to possessing with the intent distribute at least 5 grams but less than 50 grams of crack cocaine. Deric Antwan Jackson, 29, Longview, is scheduled to appear in court May 27 for a plea hearing.

During a detention hearing in November, FBI Special Agent Cliff Carruth testified that, on Dec. 15, 2006, Thompson supplied 1 ounce of crack to Head, who then sold it to a confidential informant. On Dec. 28, Thompson sold 2 ounces of crack to the informant, Carruth said, adding that the transactions were videotaped.

Carruth said the FBI was informed that the U.S. Postal Service authorities intercepted a package addressed to Thompson, which contained 1 pound of marijuana.

Jackson allegedly sold crack to a confidential informant three times and the transactions were videotaped. On Dec. 22, he sold 24.8 grams; on Jan. 25, he sold 48.44 grams; and on Feb. 1, he sold 26.19 grams of crack, Carruth said.

The government is seeking forfeiture of $500,000 in drug proceeds, as well as a 9 mm pistol and eight rounds of ammunition. Attorney Gerald Smith is representing Thompson.