Jackson Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking
Memphis, Tenn. – A Jackson man has been sentenced after he was convicted of distributing a large amount of marijuana in the West Tennessee area. According to the U.S. Attorney‘s office, Frederick Cole, 41, was sentenced t0 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. During an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Cole was identified as a large-scale marijuana distributor who directed others to distribute the drug in the Jackson area and elsewhere. Investigators said Cole would travel to the United States-Mexico border and, along with co-conspirators, arrange for the marijuana to be shipped to Tennessee. He pleaded guilty in November 2011. Pending his sentencing, the United States Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that the defendant had made threats on a sitting United States District Judge, an Assistant United States Attorney, a law enforcement officer, and two local attorneys. At sentencing, the Court found that Cole was responsible for the distribution of more than 1,200 kilograms of marijuana. Officials said the Court also found that Cole‘s sentence should be enhanced for obstructing justice and threatening court officials. United States Attorney Edward L. Stanton, III, said: “Cole‘s prosecution and sentence demonstrate that we are serious about eradicating our communities of illegal drugs. I hope other drug traffickers get the message.” Brian K. Chambers, the Resident Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Memphis Office commented on the sentencing, “This organization‘s marijuana trafficking activities clearly fed many illicit drug users. Because of the high volume of drugs that this defendant admitted to distributing, his sentence is appropriate and he will spend well-deserved time in prison. I commend our local law enforcement counterparts who played a crucial role in conducting this investigation.”
