The seven-woman, five-man jury in District Judge Erin Leigh Waddell Garrett’s courtroom found Kendrick Wayne Jones, 36, guilty as charged of possession with intent to distribute the Schedule I controlled dangerous substance marijuana, possession with intent to distribute the Schedule II controlled dangerous substance methamphetamine, and illegal carrying of weapons while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, specifically a a Taurus .40 caliber handgun and methamphetamine.
Jones’ arrest occurred February 10, 2019, when Shreveport Police officers sent to a disorderly person call on West 69th Street in Cedar Grove learned that a man later identified as Jones beat on the door of his girlfriend’s mother’s home, made threats of gun violence and pulled out the weapon. Jones, observed in a field walking to his home, fled to his home when approached by officers. When apprehended, Jones was patted down and officers discovered the Taurus handgun, as well as 59 baggies of marijuana, and 187 whole tablets and numerous partial tablets of methamphetamine.
The trial started Monday, October 21, 2019, with Jones present with counsel during jury selection. However, Jones failed to appear Tuesday, October 22, 2019, the second day of his trial, and the court issued a no-bond warrant for his arrest. The trial continued in Jones’ absence. The jury retired to deliberate just before 2 p.m. and returned just under a half-hour later with its guilty verdicts.
For the marijuana conviction, Jones faces a sentence of one to 10 years in prison, with or without hard labor, and a fine of up to $50,000. For the methamphetamine conviction, he faces a sentence of one to 20 years in prison, with or without hard labor, and a fine of up to $50,000. For the weapons charge, he faces a sentence of five to 10 years in prison, with or without hard labor, without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence, and a fine of up to $10,000.
Jones was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ross Owen and Erica Jefferson. He was defended by Michael Bowers.