CHATTANOOGA — A federal jury convicted Richard "Hoss" Allen, 55, of Chattanooga, of possessing 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture with intent to distribute, possessing five grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee announced the convictions.

Allen is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 1 before Judge Charles E. Atchley. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment.

On Aug. 15, 2024, Chattanooga Police officers encountered Allen in the East Lake Courts Housing Complex and found him in possession of over 50 grams of a methamphetamine mixture, drug trafficking paraphernalia, and two loaded pistols. On Sept. 6, 2024, officers again encountered Allen in the same housing complex and found him in possession of over 21 grams of 99 percent pure methamphetamine.

Allen has sustained six previous felony convictions in state and federal courts. The most recent convictions arose from two separate encounters with Chattanooga Police officers at the East Lake Courts Housing Complex in August and September 2024.

The Chattanooga Police Department Neighborhood Policing Bureau and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Chattanooga Safe Streets Task Force investigated the case. Special agents from the ATF Chattanooga Field Office and the DEA Chattanooga Resident Office assisted in the investigation and trial. Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Poole and Kevin Brown represented the United States at trial.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a strategy to strengthen Project Safe Neighborhoods based on core principles including fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting focused enforcement priorities, and measuring results.