Department of Justice

TWO MEN CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE OFFENSES RELATING TO THE DISTRIBUTION AND MANUFACTURE OF METHAMPHETAMINE

[Johnson City, TN] -Following a four day trial in United States District Court, Greeneville, Tennessee, a jury convicted Bobby Joe Ambrose, also known as Joey Ambrose, of Erwin, Tennessee, and Leslie R. Beals of Elizabethton, Tennessee, of multiple offenses, including conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine; conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine; and possessing the chemicals, equipment, and products necessary to manufacture methamphetamine. In addition, Ambrose was convicted of maintaining a residence for the use, distribution, and manufacture of methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime; and of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Sentencing is set for August 19, 2009, at 1:00 p.m., in United States District Court in Greeneville, Tennessee. Ambrose and Beals face a sentence of at least a mandatory term of imprisonment of ten years up to the possibility of life on both conspiracy offenses, a sentence of not more than 10 years for the possession of the chemicals, equipment, and products necessary to manufacture methamphetamine. Ambrose faces an additional possibility of not more than 20 years for maintaining a residence for the use, distribution, and manufacture of methamphetamine, and not more than 10 years for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Ambrose will also be sentenced to a sentence of 5 years for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, which, by statute, will be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.

According to evidence presented at trial a federal investigation into a methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution organization operating in the Northeast area of Tennessee began in January of 2008 when officers with the Kingsport Police Department discovered a methamphetamine lab at the Hobbs Manor Mobile Trailer Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. During the investigation, agents linked this lab to a methamphetamine lab which had exploded and caught fire earlier in January in Gray, Tennessee. Subsequently, members of this organization were arrested in Carter County, Tennessee, where agents with Carter County Sheriff’s Department and the 1st Judicial Drug Task Force discoveredadditional methamphetamine labs which had been operating at two houses on Idlewylde Circle in Johnson City, Tennessee. In March of 2008, Washington County Sheriff’s Officers discovered a methamphetamine lab at a residence on M. Tucker Road. Beals and other members of the organization were arrested at that location. In April of 2008, Unicoi County Sheriff’s Officers and officers with the Erwin Police Department searched Ambrose’s garage on Union Street in Erwin. Tennessee. Agents discovered a .22 caliber handgun and components used in the manufacture of methamphetamine at that location. Ambrose was previously convicted in the United States Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Multiple co-conspirators testified during the trial regarding the purchase of hundreds of boxes of cold medication containing pseudoephedrine, which was then used to manufacture methamphetamine. Co-conspirators identified Ambrose as a methamphetamine cook who had engaged in at least four methamphetamine cooks during the conspiracy. Co-conspirators also identified Ambrose as a source of methamphetamine which he would sell for money and would trade in exchange for boxes of pseudoephedrine. Co-conspirators identified Beals as a supplier of pseudoephedrine pills, and other necessary components, to others in the conspiracy. Beals was also identified as a distributor of methamphetamine to other individuals.

Law enforcement agencies participating in this joint investigation were the Kingsport Tennessee Police Department, Erwin Tennessee Police Department, Elizabethton Tennessee Police Department, Johnson City Tennessee Police Department, the 1^stJudicial District Drug Task Force, Tony Clark District Attorney General, the 2^ndJudicial Drug Task Force, Greeley Wells District Attorney General, Carter County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force. 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.