Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Allen Pernell Branch (32, Jacksonville) to five years and six months in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine. Branch’s brother, Brian Nathaniel Branch (33, Jacksonville), was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Allen Branch had pleaded guilty on April 23, 2019, and Brian Branch had pleaded guilty on June 10, 2019.

According to court documents, Allen and Brian Branch, both previously convicted felons, were associated with a drug house on West 22nd Street in Jacksonville. On two occasions, Allen Branch cooked powder cocaine into crack cocaine and then sold it to a confidential informant who was working at the direction of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). On another occasion, Brian Branch sold crack cocaine to the confidential informant at an apartment in Arlington. During that transaction, Brian Branch displayed a pistol to the confidential informant. The pistol was recovered when ATF raided the apartment. Brian Branch’s previous felony convictions include possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, aggravated assault, possession of cocaine (four times), and attempted robbery. As a previously convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.