A Shreveport man recently convicted of two drug charges and an associated firearms crime was sentenced to at least eight years, and possibly up to 20 years in prison, Tuesday, February 2, 2021, in Caddo District Court.
District Judge Erin Leigh Waddell Garrett sentenced Kendrick Wayne Jones, 37, for the offenses committed just under two years ago, on February 10, 2019. Jones, who fled the jurisdiction and was sought on a bench warrant, was convicted in absentia in her court on October 22, 2019.
Jones was charged with possession with intent to distribute the Schedule I controlled dangerous substance marijuana, possession with intent to distribute the Schedule II controlled dangerous substance methamphetamine, and for the illegal carrying of a Taurus .40-caliber handgun while in possession of the controlled dangerous substances.
Jones was arrested when Shreveport Police officers sent to a disorderly person call on West 69th Street in Cedar Grove learned that a man later identified as Jones beat on the door of his girlfriend’s mother’s home, made threats of gun violence and pulled out the weapon. Jones, observed in a field walking to his home, fled when approached by officers. When apprehended, Jones was patted down and officers discovered the handgun, as well as 59 baggies of marijuana, and 187 whole tablets and numerous partial tablets of methamphetamine.
Judge Garrett sentenced Jones to the maximum sentence, 10 years, on the marijuana conviction; to the maximum sentence, 20 years, on the methamphetamine conviction; and to eight years, two less than the maximum of 10 years, on the weapons conviction, that term to be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. The terms are to be served concurrently.
Jones was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ross Owen and Erica Jefferson. He was defended by Michael Bowers.