#15230-056

Update: Alva Mae Groves passed away on August 9, 2007 while still incarcerated in federal prison.  Our deepest sympathies to her beloved family.

Federal Sentence: 295 months or 24 years, 7 months
Offense:  Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; Use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; Trading food stamps for crack cocaine
Court:  Eastern District of North Carolina 
Priors:  Possession of alcoholic beverages in 1979; Larceny in 1994 when she stole $8.09 worth of groceries (two packs of air fresheners, Dawn dish detergent, and two packs of lima beans) from a Food Lion (sentence imposed was 60 days, stayed for one year; no time was actually spent in jail)
Date of Birth:  5/21/1921 
Date of Sentencing:  3/20/1995     
Projected Release Date:  11/22/2015 

Nature of Offense:  In 1994, authorities arrested 16 individuals believed to be involved in a large-scale crack cocaine ring based in rural North Carolina whose activities allegedly spanned the entire state. Included in this arrest were Alva Mae and five of her family members.  The drug ring was known as the “Groves Network” and was supposedly headed by Alva Mae’s son.  Authorities claimed that the drugs, which were typically exchanged for food stamps as payment, were housed and distributed from the mobile home Alva Mae shared with her son. While Alva Mae claims that she was not even aware that drug deals were being conducted in her home, coconspirators and informants informed investigators that she had sold small quantities of cocaine base for her son on numerous occasions and had even been known to recruit street dealers.  Alva Mae was held accountable for all the drugs and illegal food stamps allegedly exchanged in the conspiracy: 1,887 grams of crack cocaine and $15,930 in food stamps.  She also received a firearms charge because a gun was discovered in a bedroom of her home.  Alva Mae was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and trading food stamps for crack cocaine.  She accepted a plea bargain and received a sentence of 295 months.  Alva Mae believes that she was prosecuted only because she would not provide authorities with information that would implicate her family members.

Guideline Sentence:  Due to the amount of drugs involved in the conspiracy, Alva Mae’s base offense level was 38.  With a criminal history category of I (Alva Mae received one criminal history point for the Larceny described above), her guideline range for this offense was 235-293 months.  Alva Mae also received a 60-month sentence for her firearm charge and an additional 60-month sentence for trading food stamps for crack cocaine.  The drug and firearm charges are to be served concurrently with each other and consecutive to the food stamp charge for a total sentence of 295 months.

Sentences of Others Involved:  Alva Mae’s son received a life sentence.

Personal Background:  Alva Mae Groves resided in Smithfield, North Carolina for nearly her entire life prior to her incarceration.  She was married for 30 years and had nine children with her husband before they divorced in 1972.  Unfortunately, their relationship was tumultuous at times and he inflicted her with a gunshot wound to the stomach that has resulted in lasting intestinal ailments.  Alva Mae has an 8th grade education and spent most of her working career as an in-home care provider.  After her retirement in the late 1980’s, she survived off of Social Security and rental income.  At the time of her arrest, Alva Mae was 72-years-old and the primary caregiver for her two young grandchildren.  Alva Mae had such limited resources and assets that she sold eggs, candy, and soda to neighbors to supplement her income and support her grandchildren.  Alva Mae has no history of substance abuse and denies any involvement with drugs.  

Alva Mae is currently 86 years old and incarcerated in the Carswell Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas.  According to Alva Mae’s daughter, who lives in North Carolina and has difficulty traveling to Texas to visit her mother, Alva Mae is in poor health and suffers from high blood pressure and kidney failure.  On August 9, 2007 while still incarcerated in federal prison, Alva Mae Groves passed away.  Our deepest sympathies to her beloved family.

Click here to read Alva Mae's story in her own words on the November Coalition website.

Compiled from PSR and inmate and family information.
6/28/05 BA updated 2/13/07 MMG