JACKSON, Tenn. — A McKenzie man has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after admitting to distributing large quantities of methamphetamine while on parole for a previous drug conviction, federal officials announced.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, 36-year-old John David Forrest pleaded guilty to distributing more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.
Prosecutors said Forrest sold methamphetamine to confidential informants working with law enforcement on several occasions during the spring of 2024.
During the final controlled purchase, investigators said Forrest sold approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine that later tested at 99% purity.
Authorities later executed a search warrant at Forrest’s residence and reportedly recovered about 112 grams of methamphetamine that tested at 95% purity, along with six firearms, ammunition, digital scales, drug packaging materials, and $657 in cash.
Officials said Forrest was on parole for a prior felony drug conviction out of Carroll County at the time of the offenses.
U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Forrest to 17 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.
Federal prosecutors noted there is no parole in the federal prison system.
D. Michael Dunavant described Forrest as a repeat drug dealer who was trafficking highly pure methamphetamine while armed and on parole.
The investigation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force.
