Vallejo Man Sentenced to Over 16 Years in Prison for Selling Meth and Possession of Firearms
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Clarence Courtney, 58, of Vallejo, was sentenced today to 16 years and three months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark announced.
According to court documents, on three occasions in late 2020, Courtney sourced 100% pure methamphetamine to co-defendant Michael Renay Williams, 62, of Vallejo, who then sold the methamphetamine to an undercover agent. Courtney and Williams possessed more than 3 pounds of methamphetamine upon their arrest. Inside Courtney’s residence, law enforcement seized 200 rounds of ammunition, a Remington 12-gauge shotgun, and an AR-style sniper rifle with no serial number. Courtney, who has four prior felony convictions, was not permitted to possess firearms.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Vallejo Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Desmond prosecuted the case.
On March 30, 2023, co-defendant Williams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20, 2024.
This case was the result of Operation PEACE, an initiative launched in Vallejo in August 2020 in response to the increased number of homicides, nonfatal shootings, and other violent crimes. Operation PEACE leverages the strength of the federal and local law enforcement agencies by focusing enforcement operations on violent criminals, including those responsible for murders and shootings, and targets those involved in drug trafficking and firearms trafficking.
