Federal Jury Convicts Terry Michael Honeycutt For Unlawful List Chemical Distribution

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – On Jan. 27, 2014, following a four-day trial in U.S. District Court, a jury convicted Terry Michael Honeycutt of Ringgold, Ga., of conspiring to distribute a listed chemical, iodine, knowing that the chemical would be used to manufacture methamphetamine (meth) and other related offenses.

Sentencing is set for 2:00 p.m., May 12, 2014, in U.S. District Court, Chattanooga. Honeycutt faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a maximum monetary judgment of up to $269,751.98, which represents the profit Honeycutt made from the sale of iodine. Earlier, Honeycutt’s brother, Tony Dewayne Honeycutt, pleaded guilty to a similar offense and agreed to a $200,000 monetary judgment, which he paid prior to his sentencing.

Evidence presented at trial showed that the Honeycutt brothers sold Polar Pure from the Brainerd Army Store. Polar Pure is a product ostensibly used to purify water but which contains 100% pure iodine in a form preferred by many involved in the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine. One bottle purifies 500 gallons of water, yet the brothers were selling as many as 12 bottles in a single transaction. A witness testified that he was in line at the Brainerd Army Store when one of the brothers announced that the store was out of Polar Pure. The witness then observed all five or six customers who were in line leave the store. During the trial, Honeycutt testified that he was responsible for ordering and stocking the Polar Pure at the Brainerd Army Store. Ultimately, the Brainerd Army Store sold almost 21,000 bottles of Polar Pure from April 2008 to December 2010.

“This case is an example of how law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are working together to remove the major sources of supply for chemicals to individuals who manufacture methamphetamine and have no regard for the negative impact this substance has on society,” stated U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee William C. Killian.

Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to indictment and subsequent conviction of Honeycutt included the Drug Enforcement Administration, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and Chattanooga Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Woods represented the United States at trial.