Tuscaloosa Men Indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana through the U.S. Mail

BIRMINGHAM – The FBI today arrested one of two Tuscaloosa men indicted in May on charges that they conspired to distribute marijuana and to bribe U.S. Postal Service employees to deliver the drug, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, FBI Special Agent in Charge Roger C. Stanton, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez and West Alabama Narcotics Squad Capt. Wayne Robertson.

A federal grand jury in May indicted QUINCY TERRELL DOSS and MANUEL JOHNSON JR., both 35, for conspiracy to distribute marijuana in Tuscaloosa County between August 2014 and July 30, 2015. The grand jury’s five-count indictment also charges Doss and Johnson with conspiring, between April 2015 and July 30, 2015, to bribe Postal Service employees, and with possessing with intent to distribute marijuana on May 14, 2015. The indictment also charges Johnson with bribing a mail carrier on June 22, 2015, and charges Doss, individually, with possessing with intent to distribute marijuana on July 30, 2015.

Agents arrested Doss this morning at his at home. He was detained following an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Ott. Johnson already was in custody on state charges related to the marijuana distribution. Johnson is scheduled for arraignment in U.S. District Court on June 9.

 “We are entitled to expect integrity and honesty from Postal Service employees,” Vance said. “My office is committed to prosecuting corrupt postal employees, as well as those who attempt to bribe postal workers in order to further their own criminal activities.”

“The Postal Service is in the business of moving the U.S. mail. It has no interest in being an unwitting accomplice to anyone using the U.S. mail to distribute illegal drugs, and is committed to root out such conspiracies,” Gonzalez said. “Part of the mission of the Postal Inspection Service is to ensure a safe and secure work environment for our employees. This alleged activity by these defendants posed a significant threat to the postal employees and community we strive to protect. I commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation."

“Today’s arrest shows the FBI’s commitment to working together with our law enforcement partners in addressing drug conspiracy, bribery, and corruption at every level,” Stanton said.

Robertson, of the West Alabama Narcotics Squad, said, "Our team is focused on stopping illegal drugs from coming onto Tuscaloosa County streets, whether those drugs come here by traditional means, or through mail and package services. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to stem that flow."

Three Postal Service employees involved in this case were charged previously and have entered guilty pleas for their roles in the conspiracy.

The maximum penalty for the charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to bribe a public official, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana is five years in prison and a $1 million fine. The maximum penalty for bribing a public official is two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and West Alabama Narcotics Squad investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Felton is prosecuting.

            An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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