Lucedale man faces five years for marijuana distribution

A Lucedale man, who also faced trial over a sawed-off shotgun, has pleaded guilty to his role in distributing marijuana in George County.

James Denson Tanner, 46, faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced in federal court Sept. 27.

Tanner accepted a plea agreement this week on a conspiracy charge involving less than 50 kilos of marijuana. That’s 110 pounds or less.

Penalties for federal drug-trafficking charges are based on the amount or weight of various drugs. Less than 50 kilos is the least amount of marijuana listed in four categories used to determine penalties.

Federal agents arrested Tanner on Oct. 9 after indictment on a charge alleging he was in possession of a sawed-off shotgun in George County on Oct. 1, 2014. Tanner pleaded not guilty and was set for trial.

Sawed off shotguns are easy to conceal and are considered deadly close-range weapons.

The firearm is a 12-gauge shotgun modified to have a barrel less than 18 inches, a document said. The shotgun and Tanner’s name are not listed on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, court records show. An application requires a criminal background check and a fee is required when ownership changes hands.

Tanner has signed an agreement to forfeit the shotgun, a Smith and Wesson Eastwood model.

He has remained free on bond. A condition of his release in October required him to remove all weapons from his home.

Tanner changed his plea Monday before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden.

The firearm charge will be dismissed in exchange for his plea.

Tanner faced up to 15 years in prison on both charges.

This story was originally published June 28, 2016 at 3:23 PM with the headline "Lucedale man faces five years for marijuana distribution."