Little Rock Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine

LITTLE ROCK-Tommy Avance, a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 240 months in federal prison after his conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.

On July 2, 2024, Avance, 41, of Little Rock, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a four-count Indictment for possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon in possession of firearms, and being in possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. On October 28, 2025, Avance pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Avance to five years' supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On March 26, 2024, the Conway Police Department, while conducting surveillance on a known drug distributor's residence, investigators observed a vehicle arrive at the residence only to leave minutes later, which was suggestive of drug activity. Officers followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. During contact with Avance, officers detected the odor of marijuana and observed Avance behaving nervously. Avance then fled from the officers, leading them on a high-speed pursuit. Officers used spike strips to stop Avance and once in custody, officers located two bags of cocaine and one bag of methamphetamine on his person.

During a post-Miranda interview with officers, Avance admitted to purchasing significant quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine. During the investigation, officers became aware that Avance was on active parole with a search waiver on file. Officers then conducted a search of Avance's residence in Conway. During the search, officers located 1,451 grams of methamphetamine. Also located during the search of Avance's residence were two firearms, a Ruger, model LC9, 9mm caliber firearm and a Taurus, model G3, 9mm caliber firearm, which was previously reported stolen in 2023 to the Benton Police Department.

Avance's criminal history includes possession of cocaine, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of a firearm by certain persons, and a July 19, 2012, federal felony conviction out of the Western District of Arkansas for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Conway Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reese Lancaster.

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