Memphis Man Sentenced to 100 Months in Federal Prison for Selling Heroin

Memphis, TN – A Memphis man has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for selling heroin. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on September 17, 2017, members of the Memphis Police Department's Organized Crime Unit received a tip that a Melvin Scott, 41, was selling heroin from a vehicle in North Memphis. As law enforcement approached the vehicle, Scott attempted to conceal a plastic bag on his person. He then sped through multiple yards in an attempt to escape, almost striking an officer. Officers apprehended Scott and recovered heroin in the vehicle.

On December 6, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Scott to 100 months imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Heroin dealers are directly responsible for the destruction of countless lives through addiction, injury, and overdose deaths. Under our Heroin Initiative, we prioritize these cases in order to remove dangerous drug dealers from the streets and save lives."

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit. It was prosecuted as part of the West Tennessee Heroin Initiative, a joint effort between the Shelby County District Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Tennessee.

Cases prosecuted under this initiative seek to remove career drugs dealers and high-volume sellers of heroin and fentanyl from Shelby County in an effort to make our community safer.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.