Skip to main content
Press Release

Shelby County Man Guilty Of Buying Cold Pills To Make Meth

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Texas

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs

 TYLER, Texas – A 40-year-old Joaquin, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Dean Allen Tucker pleaded guilty to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine today before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

                According to information presented in court, on Nov. 13, 2008, Tucker purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine from the Ken turner Pharmacy in Carthage, Texas, with intentions of manufacturing methamphetamine.  Tucker also admitted to purchasing cold pills on 25 additional occasions from Nov. 18, 2008 to Apr. 15, 2009, amounting to approximately 58.44 grams of pseudoephedrine.  A grand jury returned a federal indictment on Nov. 7, 2012, charging Tucker and Christine Stephens Carroll with drug trafficking crimes.  Carroll was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison on Aug. 20, 2012. 

Tucker faces up to 20 years in federal prison.  A sentencing date has not been set. 

                This case is being investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Panola County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

Updated March 12, 2015