Manuel Johnson Jr., U.S. Mail Marijuana Trafficking, AL 2015

Two Tuscaloosa men, MANUEL JOHNSON Jr., 36, and QUINCY TERRELL DOSS, 36, were sentenced today for running a marijuana distribution ring that used the U.S. Mail as its delivery network. The operation, which ran from August 2014 to July 30, 2015, involved bribing United States Postal Service employees to transport and deliver packages laced with illegal drugs across Tuscaloosa County.

U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler handed down a combined sentence of seven years and 10 months to Johnson, ordering five years for the drug conspiracy and an additional three years for violating federal probation tied to a 2001 cocaine distribution conviction. The sentences will be served consecutively. Johnson must also serve three years of supervised release after prison. Doss was sentenced to four years and three months, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Both men remain in federal custody.

The conspiracy relied on three corrupt postal workers: Lenard Pompey, 39, a supervisor; mail carriers Lyle Jones, 36, and Jocelin Latrice Betts, 28. All three pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Pompey and Jones admitted to accepting cash from Doss to deliver drug-laced packages. Betts admitted to supplying delivery addresses and retrieving packages for Johnson — one of which was delivered to an FBI informant.

“Employees of the U.S. Postal Service cannot be allowed to compromise our faith in the integrity of the U.S. mail,” said U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance. “My office is committed to prosecuting anyone who would attempt to bribe postal workers to help them carry out criminal deeds, as well as prosecuting corrupt postal workers.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Roger C. Stanton emphasized the broader anti-corruption mission: “This case is another example of the FBI’s commitment to addressing bribery and corruption at every level. I applaud the sentences handed down today and trust it will send a clear message to others who may be considering engaging in similar conduct.”

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and West Alabama Narcotics Squad. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Felton prosecuted the case. “The Postal Service is in the business of moving the U.S. mail. It has no interest in being an unwitting accomplice to anyone using the U.S. mail to distribute illegal drugs,” said U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez. Captain Wayne Robertson of the West Alabama Narcotics Squad added, “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to stem that flow.”

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