Monroe man sentenced to 17 1/2 years for selling drugs at his home

A Monroe man was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in federal prison on Thursday for selling methamphetamine and cocaine from his home.

James Ronald Helms Jr., 49, pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

U.S. District Judge Robert Conrad Jr. on Thursday also ordered Helms to forfeit $47,813 in drug proceeds.

“The time has come to protect the community,” Conrad said in announcing the sentencing. “Defendant’s drug trafficking life has caught up with him. He has done too much evil.”

In June 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the home and seized at least 2 kilograms of methamphetamine with over 95 percent purity and a half kilogram of cocaine. They also confiscated $47,813 in cash and 13 firearms, including two SKS assault rifles and ammunition, court records show. A vehicle with drugs inside also was seized..

This story was originally published September 1, 2016 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Monroe man sentenced to 17 1/2 years for selling drugs at his home."