Montgomery Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Gun and Drug Charges

Montgomery, Alabama--  Joseph Irwin Westerlund, a 49-year old Montgomery resident, was sentenced last week to 120-months in prison for firearm and methamphetamine charges, announced George L. Beck, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.

     On May 22, 2014, postal workers at the Lagoon Station Post Office in Montgomery contacted postal inspectors concerning a Postal Priority Mail Express envelope addressed to Joe Westerlund.  According to postal management, the owners of the residence told them that they did not want mail in the name of Joe Westerlund delivered to them because he did not live there.  On the same date, a man claiming to be Joe Westerlund called the Lagoon Park Post Office inquiring about the Priority Mail Express envelope.

     After obtaining a search warrant, U.S. Postal Inspectors examined the contents of the Priority Mail envelope on May 28, 2015 and found 1.1 ounces of methamphetamine.

     The next day, at the direction of postal inspectors and law enforcement, management at the post office called Westerlund and informed him that his package was available for pick up.  Westerlund came to the post office and signed for the envelope.  As he was leaving the post office he was arrested and his vehicle searched.  Inside the vehicle officers found a loaded handgun.  Westerlund later pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime.

     “Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that destroys lives and wreaks havoc on our neighborhoods,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck.  “Drugs and guns do not mix.  As long as this deadly combination continues to plague our community, we will prosecute those who illegally possess and distribute them.”

     The case was investigated by U.S. Postal Inspectors with assistance from the Montgomery Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Geer.