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Complete Forecast for  Jul 19 2008

By CASEY KNAUPP
Staff Writer

Two men pleaded guilty to gun charges in a Tyler federal court on Wednesday, including a Tyler man who admitted to a gunfight during a drug deal.

Alexcie Jermaine Johnson, 34, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime and faces five years to life in prison. The defendant was originally charged with three other men in a nine-count indictment, alleging a conspiracy to possess and distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in November.

In U.S. Magistrate Judge John Love’s court, Johnson admitted that on Nov. 27, he and Kendrick Damon Amie went to a residence in Van to buy 1 kilogram of cocaine from Keldrick Dewon Williams and Darrell Damont Petty. During the transaction, Johnson possessed a revolver and, after a fight broke out over the drugs, Johnson said multiple gunshots were fired.

The three others were also charged with the conspiracy count. Amie was charged with possessing 8 grams of crack cocaine, maintaining a residence in Van Zandt County to sell drugs and possessing a revolver and two rifles during a drug-trafficking crime.

Petty and Williams are also charged with being felons in possession of a pistol and revolver. Petty was convicted of murder in Dallas County and was released on parole from an eight-year prison term on Sept. 15.

Williams, who was also charged with possessing with the intent to deliver 2 ounces of crack on Feb. 26 in Henderson County, was convicted of possessing with the intent to deliver crack in March 2004 in Dallas County. He was sentenced to five years in prison but was on shock probation at the time of the alleged federal crimes.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ann Cozby is prosecuting the case while Johnson is represented by Clifton Roberson.

A 38-year-old Tyler man, charged with 20 other people for a years-long conspiracy to sell methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in East Texas, pleaded guilty to being an unlawful meth user in possession of a firearm.

Erich Wolfgang East admitted in Love’s court that he illegally possessed a rifle and a pistol on March 9, 2007, in Smith County.

He was charged in a 37-count indictment, alleging that beginning in 2004, the 21 defendants conspired to possess and distribute more than 500 grams of meth, 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 1,000 marijuana plants.

The defendants allegedly obtained meth and cocaine from multiple sources and grew marijuana to sell in East Texas. They also allegedly used firearms to protect the drug business and sold weapons, the indictment states.

The drugs were allegedly distributed out of co-defendants’ residences and Andres Sosa’s business, Andrew’s Used Tires, at 6164 Reynolds in Tyler. The drugs were sold to confidential informants and undercover law enforcement officers, the indictment alleges.

Several law enforcement agencies began investigating the meth ring in 2005. Dubbed “Operation Thin Ice,” the effort netted a significant amount of drugs, weapons and cash. Officials seized $24,000 in cash, 15 firearms, ammunition, 3.5 pounds of meth, 6 kilograms of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

East was the 11th co-defendant to plead guilty to his involvement in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Hurst is prosecuting the case while East is represented by Mark Hall.