PALO PINTO – One day before his 31st birthday, Timothy John Morris was convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity Wednesday by a Palo Pinto jury and sentenced to 50 years in prison.
After hearing testimony from Morris’ former girlfriend, the drug deliveryman and a DPS narcotics investigator Tuesday, the seven woman, five man jury decided Morris agreed to deliver over 400 grams of methamphetamine in connection with two or more people.
“This verdict and sentence once again underscores the seriousness of drug problem in our community,” District Attorney Mike Burns said. “This office will continue to vigorously pursue those who import and distribute this insidious drug and seek substantial sentences for those we convict.”
The jury returned their verdict Wednesday afternoon after deliberating for just under an hour.
After additional information was presented to District Judge Jerry Ray, Morris was sentenced to 50 years in prison and ordered to pay a $20,000 fine. He faced a sentence between 15 years and 99 years in prison.
Under state law, Morris could become eligible for parole after serving a quarter of his sentence, Burns said.
Agent Darla Dowell of the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division testified Tuesday that Phillip Hanna, who allegedly brought at least 250 pounds of methamphetamine from Dallas to Perrin to distribute in Mineral Wells over the course of the two year investigation, was followed to the house where Morris and his former girlfriend resided during their investigation of him.
Robert Hoskins, a witness for the state who turned over information during the investigation, testified he delivered 3 to 4 ounces of methamphetamine to Morris 16 to 18 times over the course of the summer and early fall months in 2007 for Ronnie Prentice. Prentice was also indicted on the same charge.
Daria Price, Morris’ former girlfriend, said the house she rented on N.E. 7th Avenue often served as a hub for Morris to deal drugs to young people.
Price said she believed Morris received large quantities of methamphetamine from Patrick Holcomb, also indicted in connection with Hanna, before getting the narcotic from Hoskins later.
Price pleaded guilty to engaging in organized criminal activity earlier this year and received deferred adjudication conditioned in part on her testifying if requested to do so by the district attorney’s office.
The case involved 17 defendants charged in the drug distribution operation.
Seven cases have been disposed, according to Burns, some receiving prison sentences and others probation.
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