Carthage man sentenced to 20 years for meth distribution

CARTHAGE, Mo. (KOAM) -- A federal judge sentences a Carthage man for possessing methamphetamine to distribute.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Robert Marion Nevels, 36, of Carthage, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole on Thursday, October 3.

Court documents say Nevels pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on March 12, 2014. Nevels admitted that he was in possession of 200.2 grams of methamphetamine and a handgun when he was stopped by Carthage police officers on May 16, 2023.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says at the time, Nevels was on probation and parole for assault and narcotics and was driving a tan 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis when he was stopped for failing to signal.

During the stop, officers say a backpack containing a loaded Echasa 7.65-caliber handgun and plastic baggies that contain methamphetamine was found during a search of the vehicle. The officer also found four receipts, totaling $6,523, that indicated Nevels had been sending money to Mexico and California, as well as numerous empty baggies with methamphetamine residue.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers seized a total of 598.8 grams of pure methamphetamine. Nevels was responsible for the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms but less than 4.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine.

Court documents say Nevels was involved in large-quantity methamphetamine distribution in Jasper and Newton Counties beginning as early as February 2023. He typically sold to customers in quantities between one-eighth ounce to one pound.

Investigators:

This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Carthage, Mo., Police Department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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