Defendant Takes Plea During Jury Deliberation
Fifty-one-year-old Joseph Meachum of Teague has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for possession of a controlled substance, one gram to four grams, following his trial held June 4-5, 2018.
Arrested in April of 2016, Meachum pled to 12 years in prison while a Freestone County jury deliberated his guilt. The 12-year sentence was two years above the third degree punishment range based on prior criminal history.
According to Evans, due to Meachum’s violent record, if found guilty, he could have potentially gotten a much higher sentence; but there was no guarantee he would have been found guilty of the possession charge.
Evans explained that while the jury was deliberating, he and the defense attorney had a discussion and came to a bargain that was agreeable to both parties.
“Meachum was a repeat offender with a violent history,” says Freestone County Attorney Brian Evans. “The 12-year sentence sends a message that this community is tired of the drug activity in this county. A sentence like the one Meachum received lets him and other drug possessors know that Freestone County is taking back our community.”
In April of 2016, Teague Police Chief Dewayne Philpott took a call from a concerned citizen that described a man who was threatening other individuals with a weapon. When Chief Philpott approached Meachum in Teague, he was uncooperative and made movements with his hands that caused concern.
Former Teague P.D. Officer Mike Noll arrived on scene to assist. Upon conducting a routine search, officers uncovered a foil wrapping in Meachum’s pocket containing 0.9 grams of cocaine and 1.1 grams of methamphetamine.
“I am proud of the way Chief Philpott and Officer Noll handled the situation in a calm and professional manner” says Evans. “Joseph Meachum is an individual that has been dealt with by this community for too long. People like Meachum need to understand that this community will take a stand against criminal activity that occurs in Freestone County.”
Meachum was represented by local defense attorney Michael Dahlenburg.
