Pasco, Washington – In a major blow to the methamphetamine trade in the Tri-Cities area, Miles Barton Nichols, age 59, of Pasco, Washington, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in distributing the deadly drug. According to court documents, Nichols was convicted of one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or more of pure Methamphetamine, one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute 5 Grams or more of pure Methamphetamine, one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
The crimes were committed in Richland and Kennewick, Washington, and date back to 2017. Nichols was initially arrested after the Richland Police Department Street Crimes Unit developed information that he was distributing methamphetamine from his room at a hotel in Richland. Officers obtained a search warrant for Nichols’ room, and seized two firearms, ammunition, over 5 grams of pure methamphetamine, drug ledgers, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia. However, Nichols was not present at the time of the search warrant execution.
Through further investigation, officers determined that Nichols had relocated to a second hotel in Kennewick, Washington, and initiated surveillance there. After receiving information that Nichols was distributing methamphetamine out of his second hotel room, officers contacted Nichols and he was arrested on outstanding warrants. Law enforcement agents obtained a search warrant for Nichols’ second hotel room and found over 50 grams of pure methamphetamine, drug ledgers, a digital scale, and $3,302 in cash.
When interviewed by law enforcement, Nichols admitted that he sold pounds of methamphetamine on a weekly basis from both hotel rooms. Nichols also admitted that the two firearms law enforcement seized at his first hotel room were his and the drug ledgers that were seized at both rooms enabled him to keep track of his drug sales and who owed him money.
United States Attorney Joseph H. Harrington praised the work of the law enforcement officers involved in the case and commended their seamless partnership. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to protecting the community and punishing those who engage in violent crimes.
During the sentencing hearing, Senior District Court Judge Edward F. Shea observed that Nichols had at least two prior felony drug convictions and qualified him for a mandatory term of life imprisonment on his possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine conviction. Judge Shea also imposed a 405-month term of imprisonment on Nichols for his possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of pure methamphetamine conviction and a 10-year term of imprisonment for his felon in possession of a firearm conviction. Judge Shea imposed a 5-year mandatory-minimum term of imprisonment on Nichols for his possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, to run consecutive to the other sentences imposed, followed by an eight-year term of court supervision if Nichols is ever released from federal prison.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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