Ralph Edward Stroud, Methamphetamine Possession & Firearm Offense, North Carolina 2015

Raleigh, North Carolina - Two Men Sentenced for Methamphetamine Possession and Firearm Offense

RALIGH - In a federal court hearing held yesterday, Senior United States District Judge W. Earl Britt sentenced Ralph Edward Stroud, 50, and Lorne Howard, 47, both of Pink Hill, North Carolina, to prison time for their involvement in a methamphetamine possession and firearm offense.

The investigation, led by the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office, Duplin County Sheriff's Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, began on August 15, 2013, when law enforcement executed a search warrant at Stroud's home and property.

During the search, officers discovered an active methamphetamine lab containing 5 grams of pseudoephedrine, 1,017.79 grams of liquid containing methamphetamine, .82 grams of methamphetamine, empty pseudoephedrine blister packs, homemade ammonia condensers, propane tanks, sulfuric acid, lye, pill grinders, tubing, Coleman camp fuel, fertilizer, stripped lithium batteries, and home HcL generators.

The residence was also found to contain small amounts of unmeasured methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, five firearms, and ammunition. Stroud provided an unprotected statement acknowledging ownership of the firearms in his residence and the production of methamphetamine on his property.

Howard, who was arrested on August 19, 2013, provided an unprotected statement acknowledging his use of methamphetamine and that he was present with Stroud on August 15, 2013, while methamphetamine was cooked. Howard admitted smoking methamphetamine with Stroud approximately 40 times and purchased it from Stroud approximately 20 to 30 times.

Ralph Edward Stroud was sentenced to 132 months' imprisonment followed by 5 years' supervised release. Lorne Howard was sentenced to 70 months' imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells on behalf of the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/pink-hill-men-sentenced-methamphetamine-possession-firearm-offense