Verbena Man Facing Life in Prison Following Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearms Convictions

       Montgomery, Ala. – James Calvin Talley, Jr., 37, of Verbena, Alabama, was convicted by a federal jury yesterday of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine,  possession with intent to distribute marijuana,  using a phone to facilitate a drug crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr.    Talley, who has two prior felony drug convictions, faces a mandatory life sentence in prison for the methamphetamine conviction. 

       On December 3, 2016, a drug courier delivered more than 100 pounds of marijuana to Talley’s home in Verbena.  The drug courier had been arrested in Texas and agreed to work with law enforcement and deliver the marijuana to Talley.  When the courier arrived at Talley's home, he got out of the car and Talley drove the car alone to another house in Marbury, Alabama.  There, Talley backed the car up to the front door of the house and opened the trunk.  The police, who had followed Talley from his home, turned on their emergency lights, and Talley ran into the home.  He was caught by police as he was running out of the backdoor shortly thereafter.  Inside the house, which belonged to Richie Dale Murphy, DEA agents and local law enforcement found two pistols, more than 3 pounds of methamphetamine, over $20,000 in cash, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia used for packaging and selling narcotics.

       Following the search at Murphy's house, law enforcement officers searched Talley's home and found two pistols in a safe under a bed, along with more than $50,000 in cash, a currency counter, drug ledgers and receipts for wire transfers of large amounts of money.  Murphy, who earlier pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, testified against Talley.  Specifically, Murphy told the jury that he and Talley were in business together, and that Talley used Murphy's home as his stash house for marijuana and methamphetamine.

       Murphy is scheduled to be sentenced on March 19, 2018.  Talley’s sentencing date has not been set.  As stated earlier, Talley is facing a life sentence for the methamphetamine conviction.  The marijuana and felon in possession charges carry a possible 10-year sentence.  The using a phone to facilitate a drug crime count comes with a potential 4-year prison sentence.   Murphy is facing at least 15 years in prison for his charges.

       The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office.  The Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Millbrook Police Department, Montgomery Police Department, and Prattville Police Department all assisted with this case.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Geer and Kevin Davidson.