United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Drug Enforcement (DEA)  Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Downing and Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Joe Chantharath, aka “Joe Psycho”, aka “Psycho”, age 32, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced today on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.  Chatharath was sentenced to 116 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “We will not waver in our commitment to prosecuting individuals involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs in Northwest Arkansas and across the Western District.  With the continued cooperation of local, state, and federal law enforcement, we will work to ensure those who choose to participate in this type of illegal activity are held accountable so that Arkansans can be confident that our communities are safe.”    

On five occasions in May 2014, as part of an ongoing investigation, agents with the Drug Enforcement (DEA) Task Force arranged for controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Chantharath.  The collective weight of methamphetamine purchased on these five occasions was approximately 85 grams. On May 23, 2014, agents of the DEA, Rogers Police Department and Springdale Police Department served a search warrant on the defendant’s residence.  During the service of the search warrant, the defendant was arrested and found to be in possession of approximately 12 grams of methamphetamine, over $2,500 in cash attributable to the sales of controlled substances, and five firearms.  Chantharath was indicted for this conduct on June 25, 2014, and pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine on October 17, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Rogers Police Department and the Springdale Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the United States.

Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.