McNairy County Man Re-arrested and Indicted for Distribution of Hydrocodone while on Pre-Trial Release for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

Jackson, TN – Nickolas Atkins, 40, of Selmer, TN., was indicted for possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of hydrocodone pills after having been placed on pre-trial release. Atkins had previously been indicted along with nineteen co-defendants in two indictments for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in the Western District of Tennessee. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the new indictment today.

On March 18, 2019, a federal grand jury returned indictments charging 4 defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm that had been shipped in interstate commerce. On April 15, 2019, in a case connected to the previous indictment, a federal grand jury returned indictments, charging 15 defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, which included Atkins.

Atkins received a bond on his March 18, 2019 indictment and was placed on pre-trial release. On July 15, 2019, a federal grand jury returned a second indictment against Atkins for the distribution of hydrocodone pills on multiple occasions. Atkins was detained and held without bond by United States Magistrate Judge Jon A. York, after a hearing.

This investigation was conducted in conjunction with prosecutors in Jackson as part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, which seeks to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.

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If convicted, the defendant faces a sentence of not more than 20 years imprisonment. Atkins also faces a sentence of not less than 10 years up to life for his prior conspiracy indictment on March 18, 2019.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, Lexington Police Department, Dyersburg Police Department, Jackson Police Department, Selmer Police Department, McNairy County Sheriff’s Office and the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen and Hillary Parham are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The charges and allegations in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.