News Release [printer-friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2007

Tucson Meth Dealer Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

APR 11 -- TUCSON – Ricky Alan Cole, 42, of Tucson, Ariz. was sentenced yesterday to a total of 180 months in prison, by U.S. District Judge David C. Bury. Cole had pleaded guilty on November 16, 2006, to Possession with the Intent to Distribute 92.82 grams of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm during a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession with the Intent to Distribute 63 grams of Methamphetamine, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

On August 8, 2005, Cole was stopped by Tucson police officers for a traffic violation, and it was discovered he was driving with a suspended license. A search incident to his arrest led to the discovery of 63 grams of methamphetamine in his truck.

On December 2, 2005, Cole was stopped by Tucson police for driving with an expired license plate. Cole was again arrested for driving with a suspended license and, during a search incident to arrest, 92.82 grams of methamphetamine and a semiautomatic 9mm pistol were discovered in his car.

On December 6, 2005, DEA and ATF agents executed a search warrant at Cole’s residence. The search revealed a rifle that Cole was lawfully prohibited from possessing because of his felony record.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Tucson Police Department, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution is being handled by David P. Petermann, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.

# # #