A Parker County jury convicted 40-year-old Johnny Todd Preston of possessing about 10 grams of crystal methamphetamine with intent to deliver it and sentenced him to 99 years in prison in a trial that concluded Wednesday in the 415th District Court.
The case began with a traffic stop by a Springtown officer on Dec. 30, 2011. The officer said when he spoke with the driver, Lesha Hoadley, he noticed signs indicating she might be under the influence of drugs. After further investigation, the officer determined that he had probable cause to search the car.
Hoadley reportedly attempted to conceal a glass pipe from the officer's view. The officer removed Hoadley and Preston, of Jack County, from the vehicle and completed a search yielding just under 10 grams of methamphetamine in the driver’s side door pocket and a quarter gram of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and numerous small plastic baggies in a small black case with the name “Johnny Todd” written on it located in a coat that was on Preston’s lap at the beginning of the traffic stop.
Parker County Assistant District Attorneys Abigail Placke and Robert DuBoise introduced evidence from a United States Drug Enforcement Agent that Preston had been purchasing methamphetamine from a Metroplex supplier under investigation and that the scales and baggies found in the black case were items commonly used in the distribution of methamphetamine.
Jurors deliberated for about 25 minutes Wednesday morning before finding Preston guilty. In the punishment phase of the trial, prosecutors introduced evidence showing that Preston had four prior felony convictions including a 30-year sentence for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, a 20-year sentence for felon in possession of a firearm, both in 2002, as well as two year sentences for burglary of a building and engaging in organized criminal activity in the 1990s.
Hoadley received a probated sentence in the case.
See more on this story in Thursday's Democrat.
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