A Memphis resident, Richard Collins, 35, has been sentenced to over eight years in prison for his involvement in methamphetamine distribution. The sentence was announced by Reagan Fondren, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

In June 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) initiated an investigation into drug activities linked to the 92 Bishop Blood street gang. On June 13, undercover ATF agents arranged a purchase of approximately two ounces of pure methamphetamine from Collins for $500. Collins facilitated the transaction on Jackson Avenue in Memphis by coordinating with another individual who delivered the drugs and completed the exchange.

Collins faced indictment in February 2024 on charges related to conspiracy and aiding and abetting methamphetamine distribution. He pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting on October 10, 2024.

On January 8, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker handed down a sentence of 100 months imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release. Federal sentences do not include parole options.

“The ATF works collaboratively with its state, local, and federal partners to ensure that justice is served on those individuals who repeatedly and intentionally violate the law,” said Special Agent in Charge Marcus S. Watson from the ATF-Nashville Field Office. He highlighted ongoing efforts against organized crime across various cities.

The case was handled by the Memphis Field Office of the ATF with support from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Nashville laboratory. Acting U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren expressed gratitude towards Assistant United States Attorneys Bryce H. Phillips and Wendy Cornejo for their work on this case along with law enforcement collaborators.