Whitt Man Jerome Thomas Watkin Convicted Of Drug Trafficking Charges – CBS Dallas / Fort Worth
PARKER COUNTY, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – Jerome Thomas Watkins, 44, of Whitt was convicted of drug trafficking and illicit gun possession after his arrest in April 2021.
(Image: Parker County Sheriff’s Department)
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The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas announced that a federal jury convicted Watkins of conspiracy to possess possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm by a felon .
The convictions come from a complex investigation earlier this year that resulted in Watkins’ arrest on Jan.
Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier said that because of the large and complex nature of the investigation, it also involved multiple state and state agencies. These agencies included the Texas Rangers, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
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When the Watkins home was searched, police officers confiscated over 4,000 pills containing fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin, as well as seven firearms. Authorities also found around $ 17,000 in cash, a stolen tag, 390 grams of oxycodone pills and a narcotics book.
Several cell phones were also seized from the house, many of which contained evidence of Watkins’ extensive drug trafficking activities.
Sheriff Authier also said 11 dogs were found in Watkins’ residence and were kept in cruel conditions. They were turned over to the sheriff’s animal control officers.
Watkins had previously been convicted in 1996 of pleading guilty to the intent of distributing crack cocaine when he was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison. He was also sentenced to 135 months in prison in 2002 after admitting possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
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According to the US Department of Justice, Watkins faces a prison sentence of at least 25 years and up to life imprisonment for his current charges. His verdict is scheduled for March 18, 2022.
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