CLAYTON, OK – A high-speed chase and a tossed duffel bag full of drugs landed Troy Michael Goforth, 49, of Clayton, Oklahoma, in federal court, where he pleaded guilty Wednesday to methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges. Goforth now faces significant time behind bars for his role in peddling the dangerous drug and illegally carrying a weapon while doing it.
The bust unfolded on September 21, 2022, when officers attempted to stop Goforth, sparking a frantic pursuit. Rather than cooperate, Goforth allegedly chucked a green duffel bag from his vehicle while making a run for it on foot. Officers quickly apprehended him, discovering a loaded 9mm pistol tucked into his waistband. The abandoned bag, recovered from a nearby ditch, proved to be a treasure trove of illicit goods.
Inside the duffel, investigators found over 500 grams of methamphetamine – enough to supply a significant number of users. Also recovered were syringes, plastic baggies used for packaging, and digital scales, all standard tools of the drug trade. The sheer volume of methamphetamine points to Goforth’s intent to distribute, not just personal use, according to federal prosecutors.
The case was a joint effort between the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The collaborative investigation brought Goforth’s operation to light and built a solid case for prosecution. Federal authorities are increasingly focused on disrupting drug networks and stemming the flow of illegal firearms.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Gerald L. Jackson accepted Goforth’s guilty plea to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. A presentence investigation report has been ordered to assess Goforth’s background and criminal history. He remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service while awaiting sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Satter is prosecuting the case. While the specific sentence remains to be determined, federal drug and firearms offenses carry substantial penalties. Goforth’s actions have consequences, and he’ll soon learn the price for endangering the community with his illegal activities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, led by Christopher J. Wilson, continues to aggressively pursue those involved in drug trafficking and firearms crimes.
Related Federal Cases
- Westville Couple Hit With Federal Meth Charges · Oklahoma
- Sean Deval Warrior, Meth Bank Fraud, Muskogee OK, 2023 · Oklahoma
- Troy Lynn Hughes, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, OK, 2023 · Oklahoma
- Deja Monet Phillips Pleads Guilty to Meth Concealment, Houlka MS, 2023 · Oklahoma
- Chad Piazza Admits Meth Trafficking Conspiracy, Beaumont TX, 2014 · Louisiana
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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