Robert Earl Alston, 35, was sentenced to 25 to 39 months in prison Tuesday after a Halifax County jury found him guilty on numerous counts linked to his April 2, 2015, arrest, Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.

“It just shows the collaborative effort is working in getting narcotics peddlers off the street,” Hasty said this afternoon.

Task force Captain A.M. Harris said the organization, made up of agents from the Roanoke Rapids and Weldon police departments and the county sheriff's office, began getting complaints on Alston soon after it formed in January of 2015.

Harris said while there have been pleas taken on task force cases, Alston's was the first jury trial. The agency's conviction rate is something the task force is in the process of compiling with assistance from county clerk of courts office, Harris confirmed.

Alston, who was served at his residence on East Thirteenth Street during the subsequent raid, was originally indicted by the Halifax County Grand Jury for possession of firearm by felon, possess marijuana paraphernalia, felony possession of schedule I controlled substance, simple possession of schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for controlled substances, possess marijuana up to one-half ounce and simple possession of schedule II.

The possession of schedule I count was dismissed Tuesday, but the jury found Alston guilty on all other counts, Hasty said in the statement.

Agent C.L. Dixon investigated the case and it was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Keith Werner.

Ronnie Reaves, who represented Alston, gave notice of appeal.