United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment Thursday against Phillip Maurice Allen, 49, of Stockton, charging him with distribution of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark announced.

According to court documents, in 2023, a confidential source, working at the direction of law enforcement, purchased approximately half a kilogram of cocaine from Allen. On Dec. 4, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant executed at Allen’s automobile repair business in Manteca and found 3 kilograms of cocaine vacuum sealed into individual 1-kilogram bricks, as well as a digital scale, Ziploc bags, a money counter, and a vacuum sealing machine. Agents also found in the office two handguns, a Glock 31 and a Diamondback Arms 9 mm, and over 1,200 rounds of ammunition. Allen is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Conolly is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of distribution of cocaine, Allen faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine, Allen faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Allen faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.