Life Sentence for Cocaine Possession

A traffic stop on the interstate on May 1, 2008 by the Drug Interdiction Unit of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office has resulted in a life prison sentence for Darius J. Moss of Athens, Tennessee.

The 1999 Chrysler that Moss was driving was pulled over near the 25-mile marker for following the vehicle in front too close at speeds of approximately 60 miles-per-hour. Moss, 29, was found to be in possession of approximately four ounces of crack cocaine during a search of his clothing. He was charged with possession of schedule two drugs for resale and following too close.

The case was moved to federal court because Moss has a previous drug conviction. The U.S. Attorney's office prosecuted the case under Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative supported by Sheriff Tim Gobble that gives federal jurisdiction for defendants charged with certain crimes. Moss earlier entered a guilty plea to federal narcotics violations, and this week he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Curtis L. Collier to life in prison without parole.

Moss has remained in custody since his arrest.