Jacksonville, Florida – A 53-year-old resident of Orange Park, Lemuel Henry Crowder, has been handed a significant prison sentence by U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard. Crowder will serve five years and six months in federal prison following his guilty plea on charges related to drug trafficking and firearm possession.
Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest
The case unfolded on February 26, 2023, when Crowder was stopped by deputies from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for a traffic violation. A subsequent search of his vehicle, prompted by a law enforcement canine’s alert for narcotics, led to the discovery of significant quantities of illegal drugs and a loaded firearm. Specifically, authorities found over 20 grams of fentanyl and over 30 grams of cocaine in Crowder’s possession.
Crowder’s guilty plea came on October 20, 2023, admitting to possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration were in charge of the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh prosecuted the case.
