Richard Clifton Turner, 62, of Placerville, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence was issued by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Turner was arrested after a federal search warrant was executed at his residence.
Law enforcement found methamphetamine and six firearms, including one reported stolen, during a raid at Turner’s property. Turner has five prior felony convictions, including for vehicle theft and drug trafficking, and is not allowed to possess firearms. The case involved the Drug Enforcement Administration, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella handled the case, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Richard Clifton Turner was sentenced to 16 years in prison for drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms. His case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a national program led by the U.S. Attorney's Office to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice updated Project Safe Neighborhoods on May 26, 2021, to focus on enforcement, community engagement, and policy efforts aimed at building public trust.
