United States Attorney James R. Dedrick
Eastern District of Tennessee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2008
[Johnson City, Tennessee] -Following a two day trial in United States District Court, Greeneville, Tennessee, a jury convicted William Michael McCall of Waynesville, North Carolina, of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Sentencing is set for February 19, 2009, at 1:00 p.m., in United States District Court in Greeneville, Tennessee. McCall faces a sentence of at least a mandatory term of imprisonment of ten (10) years up to the possibility of life on both counts.
The evidence presented at trial consisted of the following. On May 15, 2008, Johnson City Police Officer Mark Hollis conducted a traffic stop on I-26 of a 1993 Pontiac Firebird. The only occupant was the driver, William Michael McCall. Officer Hollis recovered two long guns from the back seat of the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, Officer Hollis located approximately 206 grams of methamphetamine concealed under the plastic casing of the gear shift in the center console. In addition, a smaller quantity of methamphetamine was found on defendant’s person. Agents with the 1st District Judicial Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force interviewed the defendant. During the interview, the defendant said that he could purchase 20 ounces of methamphetamine from an individual in North Carolina, but refused to provide any further information.
Law enforcement agencies participating in this joint investigation were the Johnson City Police Department, the 1st Judicial District Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration TaskForce. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn L. Hebets represented the United States at trial.
For additional information, please contact United States Attorney Russ Dedrick, 865-545-4167, Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn L. Hebets, 423-282-1889, or Public Information Officer Sharry Dedman-Beard, 865-545-4167.