LEXINGTON, KY. — A Manchester, Ky., man who previously attempted to shoplift items used to make Methamphetamine, was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison on Tuesday for his role in a drug conspiracy.
Johnny Dale Marcum, 51, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Amul R. Judge Thapar for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Marcum had numerous prior felony convictions which enhanced his sentence. Judge Thapar also ordered Marcum to pay $2,407.38 in restitution to cover the clean up cost of the methamphetamine laboratories.
Marcum admitted that from March 2009 through June 30, 2010, he manufactured and assisted others in manufacturing Methamphetamine in Laurel County and other parts of Eastern Kentucky.
On June 30, 2010, authorities found Marcum in possession of pseudoephedrine and other items used to make Methamphetamine.
Earlier, Corbin City Police Department Officers had arrested Marcum after he attempted to shoplift components used to make Methamphetamine. A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered additional chemicals and equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Marcum also acknowledged that he had an anhydrous ammonia tank that he retrieved for a co-defendant, Oba Champlain, who cooked Methamphetamine. Champlain had hid the tank from law enforcement and asked Marcum to get it.
Champlain was sentenced to a 180 months in prison last October for his role in the conspiracy.
Under federal law, Marcum must serve 85 percent of this prison sentence, and, upon release, will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for at least five years.
Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Robert L. Corso, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration and Wendy Haney, Supervisory Special Agent, United States Forest Service, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Forest Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Kentucky State Police and the Corbin Police Department. The United States was represented in the case by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Pratt.
