Walnut Ridge man sentenced to more than 21 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of 26 firearms

JONESBORO—Terry Duane Qualls, a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 262 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
On September 20, 2024, Qualls, 37, of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of firearms. Qualls was indicted on April 5, 2024, in a superseding indictment, on one count of conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of being a felon in possession of 26 firearms, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
In addition to the sentence, which equals 21 years and 10 months, Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Qualls to five years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
In the spring of 2021, law enforcement received information that Qualls was a multi-pound distributor of methamphetamine, and also a distributor of marijuana, heroin, fentanyl, LSD, and ecstasy in the northeast Arkansas area. Law enforcement arrested Qualls twice in the following months, finding him in possession of drugs and drug proceeds. Law enforcement also conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Qualls. The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on sprawling property off Greene 707 Road, which was occupied by Qualls. Law enforcement located several stolen vehicles and a marijuana grow on the property.

Inside of a camper where Qualls resided, law enforcement located 26 firearms, body armor, 25 additional magazines, and five full cans of ammunition. Law enforcement also located approximately 340 grams of methamphetamine in multiple baggies, over 3,000 grams of marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, suboxone, LSD, mushrooms, alprazolam, clonazepam, THC wax, 60 sudephedrine tablets, and steroids, along with a plastic bin full of syringes, five digital scales, 13 pipes, and a marijuana grinder.
Qualls was sentenced as a career offender on the drug conviction due to his criminal history that includes three serious drug convictions. Qualls was sentenced as an armed career criminal on the gun conviction due to his criminal history as well.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Second Judicial Drug Task Force, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, and Jonesboro Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary.