JACKSONVILLE – U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Shawntae Jamell Clark, 41, of Atlanta, with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of two firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted on all counts, Clark faces a minimum mandatory term of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison.

The indictment also notifies Clark that the United States intends to forfeit two firearms and ammunition, which are alleged to be traceable to his offenses. Clark is detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 11.

According to the indictment, on July 2, 2021, Clark was in possession of 50 grams or more of pure/actual methamphetamine while also in possession of two firearms and ammunition after the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received a tip Clark was selling drugs from a hotel room on Wells Road in Orange Park.

Clark was stopped while driving on Wells Road because his tag lights were inoperable. K-9 Cash alerted deputies to the likely presence of drugs inside the car. A search uncovered seven baggies of methamphetamine that weighed 180 grams, two baggies of marijuana that weighed 10.4 grams and two loaded handguns.

At the time of the incident, Clark had previous felony convictions for armed robbery, attempted lewd or lascivious act – sexual battery, and multiple convictions for possession of cocaine. As a previously convicted felon, Clark is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration and CCSO. It will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Frein. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mai Tran.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.