Federal Jury Convicts West Tennessee Man for Possession of Over 1 Pound of Pure MethamphetamineWith Intent to Distribute

Memphis, TN – On February 6, 2020, after a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted Zachary Fuchs, 37, of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty verdict today.

According to information presented in court, on June 6, 2018, Fuchs was traveling eastbound on Highway 70 in Gallaway, Tennessee, a small town located in Fayette County. He passed a Gallaway police officer, who noticed that his vehicle had no license plate. The officer initiated a traffic stop and observed the driver of the vehicle moving around and rocking the vehicle back and forth. As the officer approached the vehicle, the driver became very agitated and confrontational. He was identified as Zachary Fuchs.

The officer and his supervisor who arrived on the scene searched the vehicle. They located a small bag with methamphetamine residue under the driver's seat and recovered 1.1 pounds (475 grams) of methamphetamine underneath the radio.

The defendant was arrested and the drugs were sent to the DEA laboratory to be tested. Lab analysis confirmed the drugs were 475 grams of 99% pure methamphetamine. At trial, it was determined that the amount of methamphetamine was valued between $5,500 and $6,500 and contained thousands of dosage units.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 15, 2020 before U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris. Fuchs faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "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 must be held accountable, and this guilty verdict does just that."

This case was investigated by the Gallaway Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Special Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph Griffith and Sean Hord are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

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