Palm Beach County Sheriff Arrests Man With Methamphetamine

A man was recently caught with almost 1,000 grams of methamphetamine in Palm Beach County. Joshua J. Stowers, a resident of Georgia, allegedly came to Palm Beach for the purpose of selling the drugs to an unidentified man. He was arrested outside the Riverbridge Centre shopping plaza. He was released a few days later on $30,000 bond. He was charged with methamphetamine trafficking in an amount more than 200 grams.

Stowers was reportedly originally stopped for failure to stay in a single lane, but after smelling drugs the deputies searched his car and found the methamphetamine. There was also a woman in his car when he was stopped, though he told the police that it was his girlfriend and she had no knowledge of the drugs.

Methamphetamine Basics

Methamphetamine, also known as “meth”, “crystal”, “ice” and other terms, is a stimulant. Methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II drug which means that there is a high possibility of addiction, but that there are also some legitimate medical uses. Methamphetamine may be prescribed for medical conditions including ADHD and narcolepsy. One of the big differences between methamphetamine and other drugs is that methamphetamine can be manufactured by individuals using an ingredient that is in over the counter cold medicine.

Methamphetamine Laws in Florida

Methamphetamine is illegal to possess without a valid prescription. Possession of methamphetamine without a valid prescription is a 3rd degree felony. If someone is caught in possession of a precursor or essential chemical of methamphetamine with the intent to manufacture it, you may be charged with a 2nd degree felony. It is also a violation of this section to distribute this chemical to someone who you know is going to use it to make methamphetamine.

The manufacture of methamphetamine is a 1st degree felony and it comes with a five year minimum mandatory prison sentence if the manufacture takes place somewhere where a child under 16 is present. There is a 10-year minimum mandatory prison sentence if a child under 16 suffers bodily harm from the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Some of the stiffest penalties come with trafficking charges, which are first degree felonies though the sentences differ. Up to 14 grams comes with a three year mandatory minimum sentence, 28 grams or more comes with a seven year mandatory minimum sentence, and 200 grams or more comes with a 15 year mandatory minimum sentence. There are also potential fines of $50,000, $100,000, and $250,000 respectively.

Most severely, if someone manufactures or imports more than 400 grams of methamphetamine and knows that the death of someone may be a probable result, he or she has committed a capital crime and may face the death penalty.

Let Us Help You Today

Methamphetamine sale, trafficking, and possession can come with severe penalties. If you are caught with methamphetamine or charged with any other drug crime, you need a skilled drug crimes attorney on your side to fight the charges. Our experienced drug crimes attorneys at The Skier Law Firm in West Palm Beach, Florida, can help you to get the charges dismissed or reduced.

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