Maurice Morning, a 33-year-old resident of Little Rock, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and handed down by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
Morning was indicted on January 7, 2025, by a federal grand jury on charges including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute methamphetamine and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty on October 22, 2025, to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In addition to the prison term, Judge Miller imposed five years of supervised release following Morning’s incarceration. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
According to court records, Saline County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded on July 10, 2024, to serve a warrant at a residence where they observed Morning placing an object in a blue Ford truck. Because Morning was already under federal supervised release with a search waiver in place, deputies searched him and found methamphetamine and keys belonging to the vehicle. A subsequent search of the truck uncovered more methamphetamine between the front seats and $3,109 in cash inside the glove compartment.
Later that month on July 29, officers used a confidential informant (CI) for a controlled purchase operation targeting Morning. The CI contacted Morning seeking fentanyl and methamphetamine; while he had no fentanyl available, he offered methamphetamine for sale. Officers watched as Morning arrived at a hotel for the transaction but attempted to flee when he saw law enforcement present. After apprehending him, officers found $3,411 in his pocket along with about 28 grams of methamphetamine. A search of his truck revealed additional evidence including a scale and $1,700 in cash stored in a clear purse.
Due to two prior felony convictions related to drug distribution offenses—alongside other convictions such as possession of cocaine with purpose to deliver—Morning is classified as a career offender under federal guidelines which led to an enhanced sentence. His criminal record includes an August 2, 2019 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm; he served over five years before being released less than four months prior to committing this latest offense.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation into Morning’s activities with support from local agencies including the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Little Rock Police Department and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office.
“There is no parole in the federal system,” said officials regarding sentencing requirements.
