Memphis Man Sentenced to 188 Months Imprisonment for Possession of over 100 Grams of Heroin with Intent to Distribute

Memphis, TN – A local man has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for possession of over 100 grams of heroin with intent to distribute. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, on April 10, 2017, Shelby County Sheriff Narcotics Deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence at 832 Annie to look for heroin, drug paraphernalia, drug proceeds and documents belonging to Robert Spencer, 44. Officers also witnessed hand-to-hand transactions with Spencer outside the home.

Later the same day, officers observed Spencer depart 832 Annie in a gold Volvo and drive to 3662 Vivia. Upon arrival back to the location at 832 Annie, officers converged on Spencer’s vehicle and detained him. Approaching the vehicle, officers saw a clear plastic bag containing 7 smaller bags of heroin totaling 14.4 grams and 1 gram of marijuana. The drugs were located in the pocket of the driver’s side door.

U.S. Attorney Dunavant said, "We are on a mission to reduce overdose injuries and deaths caused by heroin in West Tennessee, and we will aggressively prosecute any cases that involve suppliers of deadly narcotics in our communities. If you are a drug dealer selling poison to our children, your days are numbered."

The officers obtained a search warrant at 3662 Vivia, the residence of Christie Spencer; Robert Spencer’s sister. Law enforcement recovered 271.8 grams heroin; 101.7 grams in the attic and 170.1 grams in a large box. When officers executed the search warrant, Christie who was at the address, fled the home upon seeing officers, despite being ordered to stop. That night, officers set up surveillance at several residences where they thought she might be and saw her arrive at approximately 5:45 p.m.

Officers advised her of the heroin found at her house and obtained a signed consent to search the residence. The narcotics detective K-9 alerted to the odor of drugs in the home, inside a black umbrella sleeve, which contained $7,600.

On August 30, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Spencer to 188 months imprisonment and 4 years supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit.

Assistant U.S. Attorney J. William Crow prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.