A Shreveport man faces at least two and as many as 30 years in prison at hard labor following his conviction on a cocaine attempted-distribution charge Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Caddo District Court.
Julius Elmo White, 31, also faces a fine of up to $50,000 when he returns before District Judge Erin Leigh Waddell Garrett at his sentencing April 25, 2019. He must serve the first two years of his sentence without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
The three-man, nine-woman jury deliberated less than 80 minutes before determining that White was guilty of attempted possession of the Schedule II narcotic cocaine with intent to distribute when he was arrested by Shreveport Police on Morningside Drive May 4, 2017.
Officers with SPD’s Warrant Unit were serving a warrant on another person when they encountered White, who was seen sitting up on the couch, reaching behind his back with his left hand. White refused to keep his hands where officers could see them, and when officers looked at where White was fidgeting they found 27.89 grams of cocaine, as well as numerous unused baggies and a razor. When ordered to place his hands behind his back, White refused and fled out the back door. He was apprehended with the help of a police K-9 unit.
White has previous convictions for possession of Schedule II narcotics in 2005; possession with intent to distribute Schedule II narcotics and attempted possession with intent to distribute Schedule II narcotics in 2006 and 2009; and possession of Schedule II narcotics in 2013.
White was prosecuted by Caddo Parish Assistant District Attorneys Ross Owen and Erica Jefferson. He was defended by Michael Bowers.