MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A man from Hogansville, Georgia, has been sentenced for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the illegal drug.
On October 29, 2026, 39-year-old Thomas Eugene Arnold received a sentence of 262 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Federal inmates are not eligible for parole.
According to Arnold’s plea agreement and other court records, on September 13, 2025, Roanoke police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Arnold. Rather than stop, Arnold led officers on a high-speed pursuit. The chase ended when Arnold lost control of the vehicle and struck a business. After the crash, he attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended. Arnold continued to resist officers during the arrest.
During the investigation, officers found Arnold in possession of a handgun and a shoulder bag containing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, multiple empty plastic bags, and a digital scale. The evidence led to federal charges, and Arnold pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Roanoke Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea Wilson and Megan A. Kirkpatrick prosecuted the case for the Middle District of Alabama.