Bolivar Man Sentenced to Over 22 years in Federal Prison

Jackson, TN – A Bolivar, Tenn., man has been sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine (ICE). U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.

On March 29, 2018, Deon Brown, Sr., 49, a/k/a/ "Pleezy," was sentenced to 275 months in United States District Court in Jackson, Tenn., by the Honorable J. Daniel Breen. Brown participated in a conspiracy that from August 29, 2014 through March 19, 2016 was distributing ICE in the Western District of Tennessee and elsewhere.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Use and trafficking of methamphetamine continues to destroy lives, families, and communities across West Tennessee. The joint cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement in this OCDETF case demonstrates our ability and resolve to dismantle drug trafficking organizations, including those that distribute narcotics from locations across the country. The significant sentence in this case sends a clear message to those drug dealers who distribute poison in the Western District of Tennessee: You cannot prey upon our citizens for your selfish personal gain with impunity; there will be a reckoning."

Facts introduced at the sentencing hearing revealed that during the time period of the conspiracy, Brown was responsible for distributing 10.89 kilos of actual methamphetamine. Agents conducted undercover purchases of the ICE from Brown. At sentencing, proof of airline trips made by Brown to Las Vegas to purchase the product for himself and others was introduced. Brown and the co-conspirators were purchasing the illegal narcotics in Las Vegas for $200 to $300 per ounce and were reselling it in Tennessee and Mississippi for $1200 to $1600 an ounce.

On May 11, 2015, agents purchased 82 grams of 97.5% pure methamphetamine from Brown for $2700. On May 14, 2015, Agents purchased 56 grams of 96.9% pure methamphetamine from Brown for $1800. On June 3, 2015, Agents purchased 27.87 grams of methamphetamine from Brown for $900. Finally, on July 22, 2015, Agents purchased 112.4 grams of 99.1% pure methamphetamine from Brown for $3200.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt and dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force; and Jackson-Madison County Metro Narcotics.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Beth C. Boswell prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.