Jackson, TN - Stephen Williams, 30, has been sentenced to 360 months imprisonment on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of firearms. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.
This is the latest sentencing in a case involving multiple defendants including Williams, Bernard Cooper, Courtney Cooper, Robert Newsome, Brandon Weddle, Morgan Bond, and Ronricus Chapman on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to information presented in court, on Dec. 20, 2015 officers stopped Williams in a silver Chevrolet Impala. Williams stepped out of the vehicle for questioning and officers found a firearm inside. Williams attempted to flee back to his car and punched an officer in the face during a physical altercation. Williams re-entered the vehicle to flee and dragged an officer 25 yards before crashing into a ditch.
Williams tried to flee on foot after crashing. Officers pursued him for 50 yards before apprehending him. The officers continued the search of the car and found a Glock.40-caliber pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition and a 12-gauge shotgun with a modified stock and barrel loaded with 24 rounds of ammunition. When transporting Williams to the Criminal Justice Complex for processing, he again assaulted an officer and threatened to kill him and his family upon release from jail.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Methamphetamine continues to destroy individuals, families, and communities in West Tennessee. This defendant’s lawlessness includes distribution of meth, possession of firearms, and violent encounters with law enforcement. This is exactly the type of armed and violent drug trafficker that deserves a 30-year sentence, and we are happy to hold him accountable. Williams has sowed addiction and violence into the Jackson community, and now he will reap the consequence of a long prison sentence."
During his guilty plea, Williams was held accountable for at least 1.5 kilograms but less than 4.5 kilograms of actual methamphetamine.
On Oct. 30, 2018, U.S. District Court Senior Judge Thomas Anderson sentenced Williams to 360 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
