A Lubbock man who started a riot at the Lubbock County Jail in June 2021 has been sentenced to nearly 22 years in federal prison for a drug crime.

Twenty-eight-year-old Clarence Earl Willard, Jr. pleaded guilty in March 2021 to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. He was sentenced on Thursday, July 29th to 262 months in prison.

The original incident occurred on September 2nd, 2020, when Lubbock Police officers attempted to perform a traffic stop on Willard's vehicle. He then fled the car on foot with a clear plastic bag containing approximately 48 grams of crack cocaine. Officers tased Willard during the pursuit, then he was detained.

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An undercover investigation revealed that Willard ran a trap house in East Lubbock selling crack cocaine and was a member of the Crips gang. Willard was also known as the "Mayor of Eastside" and recorded freestyle rap that incriminated him. Willard's rap videos openly discussed his drug trafficking empire where he sold the drugs for around $100 a gram.

Court records say surveillance video was shown of a riot that occurred at the Lubbock County Jail while Willard awaited sentencing. The video revealed Willard starting a fight with rival gang members ensuing a riot, causing the officers to pepper spray inmates. The facility was placed on lockdown due to the incident.

The undercover investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration's Dallas Field Division, with assistance from the Lubbock Police Department, Lubbock County Sheriff's Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Texas Anti-Gang Unit.

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