JOHNNY LEE TUCKER

MANISTIQUE — A Menominee County jury found a 30-year-old Manistique man guilty of possession of and intent to deliver methamphetamine.

The prison sentence of 22 to 45 years was handed down to Johnny Lee Tucker on Friday by the Honorable Christopher S. Ninomiya.

According to information presented at the trial, a vehicle operated by Tucker was pulled over for a traffic stop on June 29, 2023 in Cedar Township. Menominee County Sheriff’s Office deputies deployed K-9 Kado, who altered to narcotics in the vehicle.

A female passenger pulled a small amount of methamphetamine from her brassiere. During a search of the vehicle by detectives with the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team, a digital scale, an additional bag of methamphetamine and several empty baggies consistent with distribution amounts were also located.

At the Menominee County Jail, 19 grams of the drug was found on the person of the female.

Tucker admitted to trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine from Wisconsin as well as buying a half pound of methamphetamine a couple of days prior. The female testified against Tucker at his trial in exchange for a reduced charge.

“Methamphetamine trafficking funnels poison into our communities,” said Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffery Rogg. “This investigation and subsequent conviction of this criminal drug dealer demonstrates my commitment to right the drug cartels who have no regard for the citizens of our community.”

Rogg commended the efforts of the sheriff’s office and UPSET.