3 Members of a Tipton County Drug Trafficking Operation are Sentenced to a Total of 20 Years in Federal Prison for Meth Conspiracy

Memphis, TN – Jeffery P. Meadows, 37, along with co-defendants, Rita Sandoval, 49 and Christopher Orozco, 32, have been sentenced to a total of 246 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentences today.

According to information presented in court, on August 30, 2018, a seven-count federal indictment charged Meadows and two co-defendants, Sandoval and Orozco with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. All 3 defendants ultimately pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine.

On February 7, 2017, Sandoval met and sold 4.23 grams of meth while Meadows waited in his vehicle. Sandoval referred to Meadows as the "main man." On February 8, 2017, Orozco sold 1.30 grams of meth to undercover agents. Later, at the same location, Orozco met Meadows where there was short conversation before Meadows handed Orzoco the narcotics. Orozco sold 4.3 grams of meth to undercover agents on March 12, 2017.

On March 14, 2017, a Tipton County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Meadows. Because Meadows refused consent to search the vehicle, law enforcement requested the assistance of the canine unit. The canine gave a positive alert, and a plastic bag containing 26.56 grams of meth, a glass pipe, and digital scale were seized. Meadows advised that he used the glass pipe to smoke meth. He was taken into custody on several outstanding warrants.

On January 28, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Meadows to 144 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release.

On January 29, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Sandoval to 72 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release. On the same day, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Orozco to 30 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Distribution of illegal narcotics is NOT a victimless crime. Methamphetamine that is trafficked in and through West Tennessee is increasing in dangerous purity, and continues to destroy individuals, families, and communities. Drug dealers who profit from the pain, addiction, violence, and death caused by these dangerous substances deserve proper punishment, and these sentences do just that. Thanks to the great investigative work by our local law enforcement partners at the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, these drug dealers have been held accountable and will be removed from the community."

The Tipton County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bayonle Osundare and Special Assistant Sean G. Hord prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Hord is currently assigned from the 25th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office

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