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Columbus Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Drug and Gun Crimes

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Michael E. Savage, 33 of Columbus was sentenced in United States District Court here to 20 years in Federal prison for the crimes of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, cocaine and cocaine base (crack) and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. There is no parole in the federal judicial system.

Gregory G. Lockhart,United States Attorney for the Southern District ofOhio, Christopher P. Sadowski, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Chief James G. Jackson, Columbus Division of Police (CPD) announced the sentence that was imposed by United States District Judge Michael H. Watson on August 25. Savage had entered a plea of guilty on November 29, 2007.

During the course of the investigation ATF and CPD made multiple undercover purchases of illegal narcotics from Savage and his associates. The investigation culminated with the execution of a Federal search warrant at Savage'sColumbus, Ohio residence. ATF agents and CPD officers recovered a Hi Point, Model JHP, .45 caliber pistol, a Ruger, model Blackhawk, .45 caliber pistol, marijuana, cocaine and other drug trafficking paraphernalia.

This conviction represents Savage's second Federal conviction in the past twelve years. In 1996 Savage was convicted and sentenced to twelve years in Federal prison in case number CR2:96-10-0001. The 1996 conviction stemmed from violations relating to drug possession and distribution, conspiracy to rob United States Property, attempted robbery ofUnited States property, using a firearm in an attempted robbery and forcible assault of an ATF Agent.

Lockhart commended the cooperative investigation by ATF and Columbus Police and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Prichard.

CONTACT: Fred Alverson 614-469-5715 or Kim Riddell, ATF 614-827-8400

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Tags: ,POL,EXE,LAW,ATF-Savage-sentence

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