Meth tileA Cleveland, Tenn., man was sentenced to nearly 22 years in federal prison Friday on his conviction for participating in the distribution of methamphetamine.
Timothy Joe Swallows, 39, pleaded guilty in July to a federal indictment charging him with, among other things, aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Bill Killian’s office.
Court records state that Swallows was arrested on June 17, 2012, after a routine traffic stop in Bradley County revealed he was driving on a revoked license.
His passenger, Amber Flowers, also was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
During the stop, two large bags of methamphetamine were recovered from Flowers. A search of the vehicle revealed syringes, digital scales, seven cellphones, cut straws, and $1,404 in cash. The amount of methamphetamine seized totaled 84.7 grams, with a 94.3 percent purity level, the release stated.
Swallows told investigators he was helping Flowers sell the methamphetamine. She also pleaded guilty to aiding in the distribution of meth and was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in federal prison.
With four prior drug trafficking convictions, Swallows qualified as a career offender under federal law and his sentence of 262 months reflected his record, Killian said.
Swallows had three convictions for distributing meth in Bradley County within the last 10 years.
U.S. District Judge Curtis Collier recommended that Swallows participate in a drug treatment program while he is in prison.