Evergreen Reporter

Two Opelika residents were sentenced in federal court following convictions related to gun and drug offenses in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced the sentences on October 29, 2024. Jeffrey Monkentee Hill, aged 45, received a sentence of 250 months in prison. Previously, Carstavious Shadon Stovall, aged 34, was sentenced to 92 months on September 19, 2024. Both individuals are not eligible for parole.

Court records show that an investigation began in February 2022 by the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force into suspected drug trafficking activities. This investigation led to the discovery of Hill's involvement in illegal drug sales at a Camp Hill residence. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the location where they found both Hill and Stovall along with cocaine, methamphetamine, and several firearms. Due to their prior felony convictions, both men are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On June 5, 2024, a federal jury convicted Hill and Stovall of being felons in possession of a firearm. Additionally, Hill was found guilty of possessing cocaine and methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

Hill's criminal history qualified him as a career offender under federal sentencing guidelines leading to an increased sentence range determined by the judge.

Davidson expressed gratitude towards multiple law enforcement agencies for their roles in this case: "the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force," "the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office," "the Bureau of Alcohol," "Tobacco," "Firearms and Explosives," as well as assistance from "the Drug Enforcement Administration" and "the United States Marshals Service’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force." The prosecution team included Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and Ashley J. Avera.