Federal Jury Convicts Pensacola Man of Pseudoephedrine Chemical Conspiracy

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A federal jury convicted Jared L. Hester, 29, late Tuesday on charges involving a conspiracy to possess and distribute pseudoephedrine, knowing it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.  The guilty verdict was announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

Hester was involved in the conspiracy to possess and distribute large amounts of pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine from January 1, 2011, until his arrest in April 2013.  Pseudoephedrine is a listed chemical used to make methamphetamine in combination with other common household items such as fuel, ammonia, lithium, etc.  The jury heard from other members of the conspiracy and was shown pharmacy records displaying dozens of pseudoephedrine purchases by Hester during the conspiracy.  Many of these purchases overlapped with his codefendants’ purchases.  In all, the conspirators purchased between 350 and 400 boxes of pseudoephedrine, so that it could be manufactured into methamphetamine.  All of Hester’s seven codefendants pled guilty to the charges.

Sentencing for the defendant is set for August 14, 2013, at 10:30 a.m.  Hester faces up to a maximum of twenty years imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charged in the indictment. 

The indictment results from an investigation by agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case.