Tommy Avance, a resident of Little Rock and a multi-convicted felon, was sentenced on Apr. 27 to 240 months in federal prison after being convicted for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced that United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky handed down the sentence.
Avance’s case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and prosecutors to address drug trafficking and related crimes in the region. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas prosecutes federal crimes and manages civil litigation for the United States, according to the official website.
According to court records, Avance was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 2, 2024, on four counts including possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine, being a felon in possession of firearms, and possessing firearms during a drug-trafficking crime. He pleaded guilty on October 28, 2025, specifically to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In addition to his prison term, Judge Rudofsky ordered five years’ supervised release; there is no parole in the federal system.
The investigation began when Conway Police Department officers observed suspicious activity at a known drug distributor’s residence on March 26, 2024. After conducting surveillance and stopping Avance’s vehicle shortly after it left the location, officers detected marijuana odor and nervous behavior from Avance before he fled from police at high speed. Once apprehended using spike strips, police found two bags of cocaine and one bag of methamphetamine on him.
During questioning following his arrest—after receiving Miranda warnings—Avance admitted purchasing large amounts of both drugs. Officers learned he was already on active parole with an existing search waiver; they then searched his Conway residence where they found approximately 1,451 grams of methamphetamine as well as two firearms—one reported stolen in Benton in 2023.
Avance has prior convictions including possession of cocaine and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms as well as previous felony convictions related to firearm offenses dating back more than a decade.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led this investigation with assistance from local law enforcement agencies such as the Conway Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reese Lancaster.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas operates its primary office at 425 West Capitol Avenue in Little Rock according to its official website. The office covers federal prosecutions across three divisions encompassing forty-one counties according to its official website.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is part of the U.S. Department of Justice according to its official website, working closely with law enforcement partners throughout eastern Arkansas. According to its official website, it promotes community safety through victim assistance programs and crime prevention initiatives.
