Press Release
Crossville Man Sentenced To Over 17 Years on Methamphetamine Trafficking Charges
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On November 2, 2020, Jason L Howard, 36, of Crossville, was sentenced to 210 months in a federal prison, by the Honorable Thomas W. Phillips, U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville. Howard was caught transporting nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine and a firearm. Howard pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
On February 26, 2019, Howard was stopped by Tennessee Highway Patrol officers for a routine traffic stop as he was traveling westbound on Highway 68 in Tennessee. A lawful search of Howard’s vehicle led to the discovery of a plastic bag containing approximately 938 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded 9mm handgun. Howard was earlier surveilled by law enforcement in Georgia meeting with another known methamphetamine trafficker.
“Traffickers move large amounts of narcotics up and down the highways and interstates of East Tennessee every day, and it is a serious challenge to law enforcement to intercept them. We are grateful the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s vigilance in this case led to this arrest and what will hopefully be a message that Howard’s sentence delivers,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey.
“Methamphetamine destroys lives. HSI will continue to work with our federal and state and local law enforcement partners to help remove illegal drugs and arrest those who traffic these dangerous substances. We owe it to the communities and people we serve,” said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Jerry C. Templet, Jr.
This prosecution resulted from a joint investigation by the HSI, TBI, 9th Judicial Drug Task Force, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Middle Tennessee HIDTA Task Force, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Quencer represented the United States.
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Contact
Rachelle Barnes
Public Information Officer
(865) 545-4167
Updated November 4, 2020
Topic
Drug Trafficking
Component