North Carolina man Bobby Lee Fish, Jr. has been handed a nearly two-decade prison sentence for his role in trafficking methamphetamine, federal authorities announced today. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina, Fish, 44, from Catawba, will serve 235 months followed by five years of supervised release.
In a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King expressed gratitude to the Hickory Police Department (HPD) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their work in the case. During the investigation, a series of controlled methamphetamine purchases were conducted by HPD utilizing a confidential informant to quicken apprehending Fish.
The investigations revealed that Fish was actively participating in the drug trade, with transactions traced as far back as April 2022. In one instance, he sold approximately 52.8 grams of methamphetamine, and not long after, 105.9 grams to a confidential informant. The culmination of these activities led to Fish's vehicle being stopped by law enforcement on May 2, 2022, resulting in the seizure of nearly four kilograms of the substance.
Fish pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine charges on April 3. His criminal history spans across multiple states, including North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. As he awaits designation of a federal facility, Fish remains in federal custody. "Bobby Lee Fish, Jr., 44, of Catawba, N.C., was sentenced today to 235 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine," said U.S. Attorney King from the same press release.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative that aims to bring down violent crime. PSN focuses on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention efforts, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and measuring outcomes. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice intensified these efforts with a revamped violent crime reduction strategy aiming to ensure safety within communities.
