Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Memphis, TN – A federal jury has found a Bartlett man guilty for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, as well as being a felon in possession of firearms. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the guilty verdicts today.

 

According to information presented in court, throughout August 2016, Detectives with the Bartlett Police Department received information that David High, 31, was selling marijuana at a residence in Memphis, TN. Officers set up surveillance at the residence and saw High smoking marijuana on the front steps of his house. On August 19, 2016, law enforcement witnessed him walk outside with a backpack and get into a truck. They followed him and stopped him for speeding in a school zone.

 

As officers approached the defendant, he attempted to put something under the passenger side seat. Officers noticed the strong smell of marijuana emanating from the car and noticed the defendant visibly shaken. High admitted to speeding in the school zone. The officers searched the car based on the marijuana smell and found a dark colored backpack under the passenger side seat containing a clear plastic bag with 125 grams of marijuana, a black plastic bag with 125.6 grams of marijuana and a black bag containing 119.3 grams of THC wax. The marijuana field-tested positive.

 

Based on this information, the officers obtained a search warrant to search for drugs and drug proceeds at the residence. The officers executed the search warrant the same day and discovered a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver loaded with five rounds of ammunition and a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun. The shotgun has a pistol stock and was located between a bedside table and the bed, allowing for easy access. The shotgun was also within arm’s length of a dresser, which contained the majority of the marijuana. High’s ID was found in the top of one of the dressers in the master bedroom. A box of 12 gauge shotgun shells was found in one of the nightstands in the bedroom.

 

Throughout the residence was a total of 1265.6 grams of marijuana, 110.2 grams of marijuana wax and $2,990 in cash.

 

United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "On July 24, 2017, our office along with other local partners held the ‘Fed Up’ press conference to inform the citizenry that we are fed up with this type of lawlessness, drug trafficking, and gun violence throughout our communities. This case serves as a reminder that if you choose to illegally possess a firearm, you could be facing up to life in federal prison. Gun Crime is Max Time."

 

Sentencing is scheduled for February 2, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman. High faces up to 15 years imprisonment.

 

This case was investigated by the Bartlett Police Department and Project Safe Neighborhoods. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. William Crow is prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.