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Hicks, Pritchard Sentenced on Meth Charges

 

Pritchard (left) and Hicks
Pritchard (left) and Hicks

On July 23, 2015, Levi Hicks, 27, pled guilty to attempted trafficking in methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver a counterfeit controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a felon, felony breaking or entering, and larceny after breaking or entering.  Hicks also admitted to being in violation of probation.

The co-defendant, Damon Pritchard, 26, had previously pled guilty to trafficking in methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, felony breaking or entering, larceny after breaking or entering, possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to District Attorney Seth Banks, “methamphetamine is a poison and its production, sale, and use represents a blight on our beautiful mountain communities.  Therefore, I and my office are committed to do all that we can to root out those who peddle meth.”

All of these convictions arose out of an incident in July of 2014 where Avery County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a break-in on Old Plumtree Road. The officers found Hicks waiting in a vehicle outside the victims’ residence. Inside the vehicle, officers found property stolen from the residence, as well as a .22 caliber pistol in Hicks’s possession. A bag containing 93 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, and a large amount of U.S. currency was also found in the car.

Judge Gary Gavenus sentenced Hicks to a minimum term of 97 months and a maximum term of 164 months in prison.  Judge Gavenus had previously sentenced the co-defendant Damon Pritchard to a minimum term of 70 months and a maximum term of 93 months in prison.

Banks went on to say, “I appreciate the hard work of Assistant District Attorney Matt Rupp and the efforts of the Avery County Sheriff’s Office in seeing that Levi Hicks and Damon Pritchard were brought to justice.”