Man pleads not guilty to drug charges

May 25, 2016 at 5:57 a.m. | Updated May 25, 2016 at 6:01 a.m.

by Lynn LaRowe

A Texarkana man appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon on a two-count indictment accusing him of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.

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Photo by Michael Woods

Bill Laney with Fayetteville High School walks up to accept a $25,092 grant for new equipment for the school’s Agri Complex on Monday evening during the 13th annual Fayetteville Public Education Foundation’s Sky’s the Limit Celebration of Excellence for the 2013-14 grant recipients at the Fayetteville Air Museum. Thirty-six teachers with the Fayetteville School District received $161,000 in grants for resources and programs for their students.

Tacorrius Marquan Jordan, 23, stood before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven for arraignment with Texarkana lawyer John Stroud. With Stroud's help, Jordan entered not-guilty pleas to charges of conspiracy to distribute 50 to 500 grams of meth, and of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams. Both counts allege the criminal conduct occurred earlier this year in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas.

Jordan's indictment also includes a notice by the government, represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Locker, of its intent to seek forfeiture of $3,260.67 seized from him at the time of his arrest and a 2008 BMW sports utility vehicle. The government is also asking the court to order a $50,000 money judgment meant to represent the proceeds of Jordan's alleged misdeeds.

Craven told Jordan each of the charges facing him is punishable by 10 years to life, a fine up to $10 million, or both. However, if Jordan has a prior drug-related felony conviction, the punishment range increases to 20 years to life, a fine up to $20 million, or both. If there are two or more prior drug-related felony convictions, Jordan could be facing a mandatory life sentence.

Craven scheduled Jordan for a jury trial before U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III in late July. Stroud waived the issue of Jordan's continued pretrial detention, telling Craven his client is facing a motion to revoke a probation on a state charge. Defendants are not entitled to bond when being held on a motion to revoke.

Court records show Jordan is being held in the Bowie County jail.

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