TYLER, Texas – A 32-year-old Laneville, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Joshua Lyle Harned pleaded guilty on Mar. 15, 2016, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Harned was sentenced to 147 months in federal prison today by U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Catharina Haynes.
According to information presented in court, on Oct. 16, 2014, law enforcement officers went to Harned’s residence in Rusk County t the request of Texas Child Protective Services and found him in possession of a pistol. Harned admitted to being in possession of methamphetamine. A search of the residence revealed 214 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and multiple additional firearms. Harned had $2,657 in cash on him at the time. Harned admitted to making at least $20,000 from the delivery of methamphetamine between January 2014 and May 2015. Harned was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service on July 20, 2015 in Bear Creek, AL. At the time of his arrest, Harned was in possession of methamphetamine and firearms. Harned was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 19, 2015 and charged with drug trafficking crimes.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.