Drug trafficking conspiracies can be easy to prove the larger the ring of participants and the broader the investigation. One such case recently ensnared a Dallas man, who now faces possible life in prison for his involvement.
According to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a drug smuggling ring based in Mississippi allegedly included 32-year-old Brandon DeShanta Miller.
Miller has been charged “with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm,” a news release from the agency stated. As mentioned, the punishment could include a life imprisonment sentence as well as a $30 million fine.
Drug Trafficking Conspiracies Ruin Lives
Miller is a young man in what should be the prime of his life. Paying for these alleged crimes to the fullest extent of the law would mean his life is effectively over, even without having committed a murder or crime of personal violence against another human being.
The severity is because of the known repercussions of certain drugs such as methamphetamines. As ICE notes in the release, methamphetamine has “devastated countless communities due to the dramatic health and public safety consequences that typically accompany its introduction into an area.”
Being one of the main conduits for such drugs can result in some pretty far-reaching effects — addictions, overdoses, violent crimes committed while under the influence of such drugs. If prosecutors are able to prove conspiracy, they have reams of data that can prove their points and juries are usually willing to listen.
The Key to a Conspiracy Defense
When defending a crime as serious as drug trafficking, it is important to realize how prosecutors go after the charges. They do not need an express admission that you are conspiring to commit. Many times simply attending a meeting or planning session with a co-conspirator can put you in their crosshairs.
Fortunately, there is precedent showing mere association doesn’t necessarily constitute involvement. If you are mounting a defense, then you need to be able to establish that separate motivation or at least be able to insert a reasonable doubt into the minds of the jury.
It’s crucial you reach out to an attorney like John Teakell, who has more than 25 years of experience defending a multitude of criminal charges. Teakell has fought for clients accused of conspiracy charges, and while no attorney can guarantee you an acquittal, he can give you the best possible legal strategy for your situation. Don’t wait to seek the help you need. Stop by the Dallas office, or give him a call today.
