Montgomery, Ala. -- 37-year-old James Calvin Talley, Jr., from Verbena, Alabama, was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday, June 26, for crimes involving federal drug trafficking and firearms.
U.S. Attorney, Louis Franklin, announced that Talley was found guilty of intent to distribute with over 50 grams of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, using a phone to facilitate a drug crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The intent to distribute methamphetamine conviction made for a mandatory life sentence due to Talley's two prior felony drug convictions. The federal system does not offer parole.
Evidence in trial showed a drug trafficker arrived at Talley's home in Verbena with over 100 grams of weed on Dec. 3, 2016. After receiving these drugs, Talley took the car by himself to another home located in Marbury, Alabama. Police, with knowledge of the drug deal, followed Talley from his home in Verbena to the location in Marbury. After arriving to the house and opening the trunk, police went in to make their arrest.
In the home in Marbury, owned by co-defendant Richie Dale Murphy, police found two pistols, over 3 pounds of methamphetamine, more than $20,000 cash, marijuana and several drug paraphernalia. After the search of the home in Marbury, police returned to Verbena to search Talley's home. There they found more than two pistols, over $50,000 in cash, a currency counter, drug ledgers and receipts of wire transfers for large amounts of money.
Murphy, who had previous drug convictions of his own, explained in his trial that he an Talley were working together and that Talley used Murphy's home to stash his drugs. Murphy is set to face at least 15 years in prison, but has not yet been sentenced.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office all worked to investigate this case. They worked with help from The Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Millbrook Police Department, Montgomery Police Department and Prattville Police Department. The case was then prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Geer and Kevin Davidson.
