Jackson, TN - Dustin Via, 42, of Medina, Tennessee has been sentenced to 92 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute over 5 grams of actual methamphetamine. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on May 31, 2019, agents with the 28th Judicial Drug Task Force were completing the execution of an arrest warrant at Via's residence in Medina, Tennessee for his March 29, 2018 sale of six grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Gibson County. During the search, agents found 34 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and six ecstasy pills. The methamphetamine was sent to the DEA laboratory which confirmed that the substance was 100 % pure methamphetamine. Via had $780.oo on his person and he was subsequently placed into custody.
Via admitted to law enforcement that he did not have a legitimate job and that he sold methamphetamine for income. He further admitted that the $780.00 came from his sale of illegal narcotics. At the time of this offense, Via was also on state probation for two felony convictions for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell.
On May 6, 2021, Via pled guilty to the one-count indictment in this case charging him with possessing with the intent to distribute over 5 grams of actual methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1).
On Aug. 11, 2021, U.S. District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Via to 92 months' imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the West Tennessee Judicial Violent Crime & Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
