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LAKE CHARLES, La. – Ryan Spencer George, 37, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. George was sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 108 months (9 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  George pleaded guilty on May 26, 2022 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On March 31, 2020, detectives with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force were assisting the Lake Charles Police Department and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle being driven by George. Subsequent to his arrest, law enforcement officers found multiple plastic bags containing at least 25 grams of methamphetamine, a small digital scale and a wallet containing various denominations of U.S. Currency inside the front pocket of his pants. George admitted to officers that the bags contained methamphetamine and that some of the money was gained from selling narcotics. While searching George’s vehicle, officers found a loaded SCCY 9mm pistol on the floorboard between the driver’s seat and the console.

Further investigation by law enforcement revealed that George had multiple prior felony convictions, including distribution of methamphetamine (2015) and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon (2018), prohibiting him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lake Charles Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.