Suspect In Tuscaloosa Drug, Gun Arrest Gets 10 Years In Prison

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A suspect in a 2020 drug and weapons case has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison, the Tuscaloosa Police Department announced on Wednesday.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

TPD says Ladarius Jones, who was 20 at the time of arrest, led officers on a pursuit during the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 2020 after he refused to pull over during a traffic stop. At a hearing held Wednesday morning, U.S. District Court Judge Scott Coogler sentenced Jones to serve 126 months in prison.

Officers reportedly follow Jones down Culver Road before he exited the vehicle on Riggs Road.

What's more, TPD said officers witnessed Jones reaching for a backpack containing this Glock .45-caliber pistol equipped with a rifle conversion kit that was loaded with a high-capacity magazine.

He was taken into custody without any further incident and officers would go on to recover more than a pound of marijuana and cash.

TPD said on Wednesday that Jones pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug offense.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.