A Houston man, Devon Shermaine Rhodes, has been sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for possessing over 5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Rhodes, 45, was apprehended after fleeing from law enforcement in November 2022, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph while discarding bags of the drug from his vehicle during the pursuit. The judge, U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison, emphasized Rhodes’ extensive criminal background and the significant dangers posed by crystal meth when imposing the 135-month sentence, dismissing his plea for a reduced term.
Details of the Case
On September 15, Rhodes entered a guilty plea and was subsequently sentenced, which includes an additional five years of supervised release. He had requested a 46-month sentence, contending that he did not throw drugs out of the window or drive recklessly during his arrest. However, the court rejected this assertion after reviewing video footage of the incident.
Future Proceedings
Rhodes will remain in custody until he is transferred to a facility operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Background of the Incident
The case originated from a drug transaction on November 8, 2022, at a fast-food restaurant, where Rhodes was seen paying over $10,000 in cash for approximately five kilograms of crystal meth. Following this, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop, which prompted Rhodes to flee, resulting in a high-speed chase.
During the pursuit, Rhodes disposed of several kilograms of methamphetamine from the driver’s side window, leading to the drug packaging bursting on the roadway. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed additional quantities of crystal meth.
Investigation and Prosecution
The investigation was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with support from several agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley J. Sullivan led the prosecution, which was part of Operation All Gas No Brakes.
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