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Date: 02-28-2024
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Judge: Hala Y. Jarbou
Court: The United States Court for the Western District of Michigan (Kent County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Grand Rapids
Defendant's Attorney:
Description:
Kalamazoo Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Methamphetamine Trafficking
Rocky Parker, 48, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for methamphetamine trafficking. At sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou noted that Parker had a significant number of prior felony convictions, many of which were for controlled substance offenses. Parker’s prior crimes garnered him the highest criminal history category under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
“I am grateful to our law enforcement partners for their investigative work on this case,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office will remain focused on disrupting the supply lines that bring drugs into our communities and destroy so many lives.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) began investigating Parker for drug trafficking based on a series of tips they received that Parker was a pound-level dealer of methamphetamine in Kalamazoo. The investigation yielded 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine across six purchases from Parker.
During the investigation, DEA and KVET learned that Parker traveled to Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada on two occasions in June and July to meet with his sources of supply. During the second trip, investigators learned that Parker was shipping methamphetamine back to Kalamazoo. Investigators intercepted and searched a package destined for Parker, which yielded another 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine. At the end of July, investigators learned that Parker was making a third trip to obtain additional methamphetamine. On August 1, 2023, on his return from out west, police stopped Parker in Berrien County. While he was bringing his vehicle to a stop, Parker threw a black duffle bag out the passenger window. Police searched the bag and found an additional 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine. Parker was charged with possession with intent to distribute the methamphetamine seized on August 1, 2023, and pled guilty to this offense on September 28, 2023.
“This case was a successful collaboration between our State and Federal partners,” said Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief David Boysen. “We are pleased to see that Mr. Parker is facing the consequences of his crimes.”
“Mr. Parker contributed to the addiction and poisoning of members of our community by distributing methamphetamine, a highly addictive and destructive illicit substance,” Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene. “The DEA, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and other partners in law enforcement, are committed to protecting our communities from individuals like Mr. Parker who continue to put profits and greed above the safety and well-being of the citizens of Kalamazoo and surrounding communities.”
This case was investigated by the DEA and KVET with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Michigan State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel S. Fauson and Jacob Metoxen handled the prosecution.
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