A Shreveport man accused of drug and gun crimes pleaded guilty in Caddo District Court Monday, March 4, 2024, just as his trial was set to begin.
Christopher George Bernard, 52, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute the Schedule II narcotic cocaine and to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, having previously been convicted of Schedule II distribution in January 2016.
District Judge Erin Leigh Waddell Garrett sentenced Mr. Bernard to 20 years in prison on the first count and for the possession conviction to 20 years without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence and a $1,000 fine converted to 200 days in jail. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently with each other but consecutive to any other he is serving.
On November 15, 2022, Deputy John Berry and other deputies from the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at Christopher Bernard’s residence in the 4900 block of Haywood Place. Upon executing the warrant, deputies recovered packaging material, digital scales and 171 individually packaged baggies of cocaine, along with a Beretta .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun.
Bernard was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ross Owen. He was defended by Charles Parr.
The case was docket No. 392402.
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