A Roanoke Rapids man will spend slightly more than 17 ½ years in federal prison on drug and weapons charges.

United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today Demeco Lamont Richardson, 33, was sentenced to 211 months by United States Judge Louise W. Flanagan.

He will also receive 5 years supervised release.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a two-count criminal indictment on December 21.

On July 16,Richardson pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to the investigation, in April 2010, officers with the Roanoke Rapids Police Department received information from confidential sources that Richardson was distributing narcotics from his residence.

On April 30, 2010, officers executed a search warrant at his residence and encountered him outside.

He attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after a brief chase and struggle.

During the struggle he attempted to swallow a bag containing rocks of cocaine base individually packaged for sale.

Officers took Richardson into custody and retrieved the cocaine base from his mouth.

During a subsequent search officers located a loaded .25-caliber pistol, a loaded .22-caliber pistol,.38-caliber ammunition, two bags of marijuana, two marijuana plants and drug paraphernalia.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and by the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Toby Lathan represented the government.