Crack distributor heads to prison

GALVESTON, Texas - A 45-year-old La Marque resident has been sentenced for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Ronnie LaShawn Allen pleaded guilty Feb. 24, 2022.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown has now ordered Allen to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.

Between February 2017 and February 2019, Allen distributed cocaine base or "crack" for a crack distribution ring operating in the La Marque and Texas City areas. He was held responsible for 2.224 kilograms of crack cocaine.

Allen will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI's Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Force in conjunction with the La Marque Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Cusick prosecuted the case.