Anniston Man Sentenced to Nearly 18 Years in Federal Drug Case

ANNISTON — A Calhoun County man has been sentenced to federal prison following a drug-trafficking conviction, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Acting U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Crosby announced that U.S. District Judge Corey L. Maze sentenced 50-year-old David Allen Bentley Jr. of Anniston to 210 months in prison after he previously pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court records and the plea agreement, the case stems from a January 1, 2025, incident when officers with the Anniston Police Department attempted to stop Bentley for failure to signal. Authorities said Bentley did not stop, leading officers on a brief pursuit that ended when he complied with commands to stop and exited the vehicle.

Bentley was arrested on an outstanding charge of attempting to elude law enforcement. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers reported recovering approximately 145 grams of methamphetamine that was described in court documents as 100 percent pure.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Anniston Police Department jointly investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison J. Garnett prosecuted the matter.

Officials said the sentence reflects federal penalties for large-scale drug trafficking offenses involving methamphetamine distribution.